Video #667: Since many of you may already own this tool, here is some information and ideas on how to put it to good use.
Topics Covered In This Video:
- Today I am going to do an update on the Sculpey Clay Extruder.
- In a previous video I did an Unboxing of the Sculpey Clay Extruder and I tried it out.
- I had found it to be quite difficult to use. You need to be super strong to squeeze the clay out of the barrel.
- Since I know that a lot of you may already have purchased a Sculpey Clay Extruder, I thought that I’d try and figure out some ways to make it easier to extrude using this readily available tool.
- I figured out some little tips and tricks that should help you out.
- Using the same Sculpey Souffle Clay we used in the previous video, so it is a fair comparison, I show you how to use a baby wipe or kitchen wipe and a caulking gun to assist in extruding the clay.
- Key tips and tricks for easier clay extrusion are…
- Clay should be soft and warm.
- Clean and lubricate the barrel with a moist kitchen/baby wipe before adding clay.
- Only fill barrel 2/3 full, to increase leverage.
- Leave the wipe on the plunger to help fill the gap between the plunger and the barrel.
- Use a caulking gun to help push out the clay.
- Larger dies are easier to push out the clay.
- Related Video: Review Lucy Clay CzeXtruder XXL HD
- Related Video: Sculpey Souffle Polymer Clay Product Review
- Related Video: How To Clean Your Polymer Clay Extruder
- Related Video: Baby Wipes In Your Polymer Clay Studio
Do you have any suggestions for videos on tips, techniques or products you would like to learn more about? Let me know in the comments section below!
My goal is to help you to learn quicker and easier ways to bring up the professionalism in your polymer clay art.
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Looking forward to hearing from you!
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Good for you Cindy, workable solution. Years ago, folks sold plastic inserts that modified the caulking gun so that the extruder fit into the opening much like that you showed, I have one somewhere still in the plastic bag. Also some folks sold actual modified plastic tips that actually extruded the designs just using the caulking guns.
After helping me construct the wooden foot pump, I remember my Dad hauling out his heat gun, which we used to keep the clay warm while extruding. Caution here, easy to bake the clay.
Unfortunately, Glass Attic, my historically beloved go to site no longer has active links, but you can get an idea from this video, which used actual pottery clay:
Desiree McCrorey also showed this technique using the caulking gun, but, the instructions have been removed from her website.
Since these Sculpey Clay Extruders are cheap, and within the price realm of the beginner, think it’s wonderful of you to reactivate this method because it gives them a taste for the possibilities to save for future purchases. Straight out, your video of the LUCY Extruder convinced me that this is state of the art, and worth every penny.
Boy, fixed income is a b****, lol. Then again, if I was still working at my old salary, it kind of scares me how much I would be spending on new tools and products. No vacations. Right now, every penny is going towards a JoolTool.
Too bad I never could get the clay out using that type of tool. My hand can not reach the extended part and press enough to make it work. I still stand by the press my hubby made me like your demo last week.
Oups forgot to tell you that I use hamburger patty paper around my clay before putting it in my plunger. The ends of the paper should not meet though to make it work properly. No cleaning to do after.
I just dug out my old one, which is similar, and I used it in the pottery studio. It was manufactured by Kemper Tools. .I still use the discs in my Walnut Hollow and Makins extruders and all 19 work fine in those extruders.
The Lucy Clay extruder is still on my bucket list. I will be seeing Diane (Van Island Jewels) at the Carol Simmons workshop so might pick one up then.
Wonderful video, awesome idea
Unrelated question!
What make are your black plastic containers at the back of your desk, love the organization
Thanks
Oh my, thank you Cindy! Using my Sculpey extruder is SO hard on my hands, but I haven’t been able to bring myself to buy a more expensive one yet. Now to see if I can find a caulking gun…
Hi Cindy
thanks for your tips and tricks with this particular Extruder.
I did start off with one of these years ago, and told my students not to buy that one. and gave it away as I had always found it too hard to use,
so your tips are an eye opener, as I would never thought of the baby wipes trick. Great.
I did know about the caulking gun, but did not have one at the time.
I now use the Makins extruder, so am up with everything now. Thanks to this tut, a lot of clayers will be able to use that extruder better, as it is of course much cheaper than the Makins, and a not excy way for a beginner. As to the cleaning, isnt that a great idea, must try something like that on my Makins as that is always the worst part of the job.
I have made some great buttons using the designs I get from the extruder clays.
Thanks again. I must say it is nice to see” you” when you do your tuting
Bye ,
Love
Elizabeth K.
XX
Nice to see you too Elizabeth! Thanks for your input on this matter! :)
Hi Cindy,
I watched your video on the Sculpey clay extruder and realized that tool would not be the best for my work. I also watched your video for the CZEX HD XXL All in One and made the decision to buy it today (I think I’ll even get a box with mine). It has already shipped in just a few hours. It should arrive next week. Thank you very much for both videos. If I ever need a backup to my CZEX for some reason I’ll consider the caulking gun/kitchen wipe option. It does work, Thanks again. :-) Best wishes, Chris
Thank you! And you have no idea HOW ugly…lol…borrowed hubbiez and he uses it for construction. I was tempted to wear gloves. Yours looks like a Cadillac in comparison. I already made a mod retro cane after watching this. Thanks for figuring this out.
You are more than welcome Valerie! Thanks for stopping by! :)
Hi there,
I am having trouble using my extruder with the thing that makes a hole in the middle of the clay. I am finding that there is a mark along the length of the clay tube and sometimes ithe clay just splits along the mark.
Any ideas on what is causing it or how to fix the problem? Would so appreciate you4 help.
Thxs,
Jill
Hi Jill, it is a little tricky for me to answer perfectly without seeing what it happening, but I will try. When extruding complicated dies, it helps if your clay is fresh and soft. Older, drier and firmer clays will crack or get strange little ridges when pressed through an extruder. Especially when you are also using a core adapter. When it comes to splits, one, thing that can help is if you put your finger over the end to stop the clay from coming out and then slowly start extruding, once a little back pressure (not too much) is put on the clay it will come out a little smoother. Hope that helps a little.
Thanks Cindy, yes I am using a core adaptor so I will try the back pressure and doing it more slowly . I have been using a drill and the adaptor for ithat too so perhaps it’s just too strong. I have arthritis in my hand so hoped the drill adaptor would work but….maybe I should try the caulking gun instead. Thanks so much for your help and ideas to try, it’s so appreciated.
Jill
X
Thank you so very much for this video!! I will try your tips and hopefully I can use my extruder to do the things I want to do. :-)
You are very welcome Margaret :-)
Hi Cindy,
I have a Fimo extruded. The directions that came with it suggest placing a penny between the feeder plate and the roller. I can’t figure out how to make that work.
Thanks for any suggestions and for the help your posts have given me over the years!
Katie
Hi Katie, I have never heard of that. I looked around for a penny, but couldn’t find one to test it out. (Canada got rid of pennies a few years ago.) I should have one somewhere, though. I’m thinking what they mean is to put a penny between the plunger rod and the plunger disk (feeder plate?) if the piece gets broken, maybe? I don’t have a Fimo extruder, but I believe they are the same as the Walnut Hollow Extruders, which I do have. Now you have given me another mystery to solve! :)