Bracker's Good Earth Clays

There are two North Star standard extruders.  One has a stainless steel barrel and the other is regular steel that has a powder coated barrel exterior, frame and handle. The Stainless and Standard models are identical in shape and capacity and any North Star standard die fits either one.    The stainless extruder and the Accessory Die Kit are packaged together at a money-saving price as the “Stainless Extruder Package.”  The Accessory Die Kit may also be purchased separately.

“Which model is right for me?”

The Stainless model offers the most versatility. It can be used with just about any clay type as long as the clay is soft and easy to work with your hands. Because stainless steel won’t rust, it is ideal for use with white stoneware clays and porcelain.  If you’re going to be using these clay types, then our Stainless extruder might be your best choice. The Stainless model is offer as a stand-alone unit, without dies, or in value-priced packages. (See the price list, below.)

The interior of the Standard extruder is plain steel. If the barrel’s isn’t washed out and periodically protected with a light film of machine oil or silicone lubricant, then it can rust or develop light oxidation that can stain your clay. Keep it clean and dry between uses and the Standard model can be used just like the Stainless model. The Standard model comes with our Basic Die Kit and one blank die installed.

North Star extruders do not look like or work like any others.  They are designed to be simple, safe and inexpensive.  Both models feature a 4 inch square steel barrel tapered at the top for easy loading.   Each comes with a long extension handle to give extra leverage for small extrusions or stiff clay.

The Expansion Box is an extruder accessory that allows the user to produce larger extrusions from their North Star 4” extruder. This is accomplished by adapting the bottom portion of a detachable box to fit North Star’s selection of 6 inch Dies. We have a selection of stock 6” dies available & custom dies are quickly made and inexpensive. The expansion box is made of high quality aluminum. All the mating surfaces of the expansion box are machined flat for a tight seal. The die retainer mounting ears have steel inserts for the bolts to screw into. The ears with slots of the expansion box are machined to slide easily onto and out of the extruder. The die retainer ring and the hardware is made of steel. All outside surfaces are powder coated for a durable lasting finish.

The North Star Big Blue Extruder does not look like or work like any others. It is designed to be simple and safe yet powerful. This model features a 6 x 6 x 12 inch aluminum barrel that holds a full 25 pound pug of clay and can produce extrusions up to 4-1/2 x 4-1/2 inches, without an expansion box. With this extruder, there are no heavy bars or levers to injure head or feet, no hydraulic pumps or air compressors with their inherent hazards. Instead, it is entirely hand driven. Turning the large handle drives a compound rack-and-pinion gear box which dramatically reduces the force needed to make an extrusion. No more than thirty pounds of force at the handle is needed to make an average extrusion!