Using a clay extruder with silver clay

Using a clay extruder for silver clay

A clay extruder is a great handy tool to have if you want to make long coils of silver clay that are even and uniform. We use coils for lots of things; bails, stone settings, decoration, frames – the list can go on!

Since one of my students asked me if a clay extruder was a good tool to have in her kit, I thought it would be a great idea to make a little video about how to use one! I thought it was good enough to share here and I hope it helps you, if you are thinking about buying and using one. You can see the video below this post.

Use the clay extruder firmly with a consistent pressure and speed to extrude your silver clay coils

Seven Top Tips when using your extruder

1. Make sure that you are using fresh silver clay (or at least well hydrated clay) in the clay extruder. It makes the extrusion easier and the coils are less likely to break or crack.
2. Make sure the ball of  clay has been rolled firmly and has no air pockets before you insert it into the extruder.
3. Work quickly – so have all your items in place before you begin. That might include having a card or mat to extrude onto so that it can be easily moved, have your piece with the stone there to set as soon as the coil is ready.
4. When you are using the clay extruder, twist the handle firmly, with consistent pressure and speed – if you stop and start, you may find that the silver clay extrudes and has a ‘bobbly’ appearance, which is difficult to correct.
5. You can keep the silver clay coil moist having a wet wipe or similar ready to place on top of the coil when it’s been extruded.
6. You can also rehydrate the silver clay coil with water and a paintbrush. Gently trail the water over the top of the coil with the paintbrush.
7. Clean out your clay extruder when you’ve finished using it. There’s usually a reasonable amount of clay left behind which can be salvaged, either into your clay pot or your reconstitution pot. It usually a lot easier to clean if the clay is still wet.

Hope that helps! Have fun and let me know if you have any questions in the comments section below.

Emma x

P.S.

If you fancy getting hold of one of these and trying for yourself – you can find them by Googling MAKINS CLAY EXTRUDER or….

In the UK https://www.metalclay.co.uk/shaping-tools/
In the US – http://www.makins-usa.com/products.jsp?prod_catg_id=7
In the EU – https://www.happythings.eu/us/makins-ultimate-clay-extruder.html
NOT AFFILIATE LINKS