North Star Big Blue Extruder (970)

North Star Big Blue Extruder (970)

North Star have advised us they are experiencing high global demand for their products as as such their lead times are extended by several months. Please enquire for the latest information on this product (last updated June 2024) 

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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 11kg of clay and can produce extrusions up to 4-1/2 x 4-1/2 inches, without an expansion box.

Dies included with the Big Blue Extruder

Set #992 - includes hollow round, square and hex (all 4-1/2 inch OD with 5/16 inch walls), plus one blank die (see photo)

Other notable features include:

• 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!
• The barrel and die simply lift out as a unit (no tools required) so that cleaning, changing dies and loading can be done while you sit or stand comfortably at your work bench.
• Wall mounted.
• The WagonWheel Handle and compound gear drive make it possible for anyone to make large extrusions without help.
• The WagonWheel Handle is held in place by a quick release pin. It is removed with a pull (again, no tools) so the handle can be quickly set aside whenever it is in the way.
• More stock dies will be made available as demand arises, including larger versions of most shapes available for 4 inch extruder.
• Custom dies available, made quickly and exactly to your needs.
• Ships in two cartons.  Weight approximately 56kg and 15kg.
• Warranty:  One year
• Solid construction is worry-free and almost no maintenance is required.
• The barrel is heavy-wall aircraft-alloy aluminum and only HDPE plastic, aluminum and stainless steel can contact the clay. The housing is made of powder-coated steel and stainless steel. All gears and the gearbox are solid steel which has been either powder-coated or plated.  
• Adapter available to special order to fit North Star standard (4 inch) dies - please enquire.

Big Blue 6" Extruder Dies 
The 6" extruder dies are made of 3/4" HDPE (High Density 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 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. In general, the walls of extrusions 3-1/2 inches OD or less are 1/4 inch thick, while larger pieces have 5/16 inch walls. North Star have a selection of stock 6” dies available & custom dies are quickly made and are inexpensive.

POTCLAYS ARE EXCLUSIVE AUTHORISED IMPORTERS OF NORTH STAR MACHINERY INTO THE UK. WE HAVE REGULAR CONTAINERS FROM THE USA (EVERY 2-3 MONTHS) THEREFORE ANY OUT-OF-STOCK NORTHSTAR ITEMS INCLUDING SPARES CAN BE ORDERED IN SPECIALLY FOR YOU IF YOU PLACE A BACK-ORDER. PLEASE SPEAK TO OUR SALES TEAM FOR MORE INFORMATION.