North Star Pottery Equipment

American Ceramic Supply Company offers great discounts on all North Star Pottery Equipment.
Just check out these discounts! You can e-mail us at sales@AmericanCeramics.com if you need any help with technical support and or specific shipping needs.

North Star Ceramic SlabRollers - click here for models, specs, pricing
     North Star Slab Rollers are made in two series: The Standard series used by hobby potters and students everywhere and the massive Super series, at home in industrial, institutional and production settings around the world. The most obvious differences are these: Standard machines are made in `18", 24" and, on special order, 30" widths. They have rolls 2 1/2" in diameter, tables are 48" long with the roller in the center and the handle drives the bottom roll directly. Super machines are much heavier, tables are 72" long, rolls are 4" in diameter, there is a 4.33:1 steel gear reduction between handle and roll. They are made 24", 30" and 36" wide, and they come only with a Wagon Wheel handle. All North Star machines have two rolls, much like the wringer of an old-fashioned washing machine. Both rolls have a small diamond pattern ("knurling") machined directly into the metal to grip the canvas. The bottom roll is turned by the handle, but cannot move vertically. As it turns, it drives the top roll through a train of gears. The upper roll both turns and can be adjusted up and down. The two rolls turning together pull slabs through easily, and the vertical adjustment of the top roll gives an easy-to-set and infinitely adjustable thickness from paper-thin to over 2 inches. A reference scale allows setting and repeating openings to within 1/100 of an inch. The design gives great flexibility in making slabs. Very thin, translucent porcelain slabs and thick, heavily textured architectural slabs are equally easy. A wide variety of other texturing materials and objects can be passed through the machine along with the clay. Slabs can be rolled either direction or reversed on all North Star machines.
Features:
Every part carefully designed and made for its intended purpose. No off-the-shelf or inferior parts or material.
Rust free and virtually maintenance free.
No clumsy heavy shims or boards.
No chains, cables or cast-iron gears.
Thickness infinitely variable from 0 to 2-3/4 inches on Standard series, 0 to 2-1/4 inches on Super series.
Slabs can be rolled in either direction and clay can be added or subtracted at any time.
The length of the slab is limited only by the space
and canvas available.
Tapered slabs are quick, easy and precise.
Warping, curling and cracking are drastically reduced.
All machines accept press molds and a wide variety of texturing material such as burlap, plant materials, rope, cork and bark.

North Star Clay Extruders - click here for models, specs, pricing
"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 the Stainless clay extruder might be your best choice. The Stainless model is offer as a stand-alone unit, without dies, or in value-priced packages.
          In these clay extruders, the handle length and barrel size are matched to give plenty of leverage without ratcheting. There are no dangerous shackles, fewer pinch points, no clumsy multi-jointed handle to come loose, and no post or ratchet parts to wear out. The handle is anchored at one fixed pivot point, completely eliminating the danger of a heavy steel bar slipping or suddenly offering no resistance. Clay is loaded with the handle in the down position, again eliminating danger from a heavy, hard-to-control handle.
     Finally there is this simple, but very important note: These machines hold about eight pounds of clay, which will give a longer extrusion than most people can handle at one time.
     Every clay extruder comes with 8 coil dies, 2 handle dies, one square coil, one hex coil, a blank die and a die mask. Several of the coil dies contain 4 cavities of different sizes and the die mask is used to block off any three of them. The Accessory Die Kit, which may be purchased separately, contains a stainless steel Z-Bracket (die brace), 4 coil dies, 2 ribbon dies and 6 hollow dies.
     All dies are made of 1/2 inch thick polyethylene, which is extremely wear-resistant and completely non-contaminating. The top edge of the die cavity is beveled to compact the clay as it passes through, giving a crisp, more solid extrusion. In the hollow dies, there is a bevel on both the interior and exterior portions under each side of the bracket (which holds the center of the hollow dies) that helps the extrusion to "heal" after is has been cut apart by the bracket. This bracket fits into a Z-shaped slot machined into the top of the hollow die and is held in place by the barrel of the extruder. If a hollow die is mounted in place, the center part of the die is in exactly the right place and the wall thickness will automatically be even all the way around.
     Note that in the stainless extruder, everything that comes in contact with the clay is either stainless steel or plastic and will not discolor the most delicate porcelain even if clay is left in the machine

Back to Main Pottery Equipment Page

North Star Portable Slab Roller

North Star Slab Rollers

North Star Extruder

     Shimpo Clay Extruder

     Amaco Brent Clay Extruder

     All prices are subject to change without notice due to manufacturer's price increases and fuel surcharges with shipping companies. We reserve the right to adjust pricing accordingly. Please check with us prior to billing to be sure you have correct pricing.