Recently I purchased a set of hollow dies for my hydraulic clay extruder.
I recently bought a set of hollow dies for my hydraulic clay extruder from a UK company called Hot Clay
The ordering process on their website was very simple and easy, with helpful product information. The delivery was also impressive, as I received an email confirming my order and another email notifying me that the order had been dispatched. The set of hollow dies arrived in a small box, with each die plate individually wrapped in sets consisting of two parts. The box also included an adapter that is designed to hold the centre part of the die in position.
The adapter is well-made, strong, and has a coating on the outside that makes it easy to clean.
Assembling the set of dies is quite straightforward. First, you choose the desired shape and take the small die with the small hole in the centre. The Allen key bolt goes through this hole, and you tighten the bolt into the centre of the adapter. It is important not to over tighten the bolt; just tighten it enough to hold the small plate in position. The next step is to take black cap off your clay extruder gun then place the larger die plate it into . Next slide the adapter into the clay extruder barrel and screw on the black cap containing the larger die plate.
However, if your clay extruder cannot be loaded from the other end, you will need to load your extruder barrel with clay first. Remember to leave some space for pushing in the adapter ring.
It is crucial to use soft clay when using clay extruders. Trying to force hard clay through any extruder can damage it over time and even cause injury to your hands.
Some people find it helpful to spray a light cooking oil in the clay extruder barrel to make the clay slide through more easily. Another technique is to use a thin plastic bag liner inside the extruder. You can load the clay into the liner, cut one end of the bag, and insert it inside the extruder barrel. This system allows you to remove the bag liner if you don’t use all the clay and seal it for later use.
After using the extruder, it is essential to clean it thoroughly. Keep the die extruder adapter assembled and remove as much clay as possible by hand. Then, wash the adapter in a bucket of water, repeating the process in another bucket of clean water. After drying, spray the Allen key bolt and the centre of the adapter ring with WD-40. This maintenance routine will ensure that your dies and adapter ring last for many years.
