A clay extruder pushes soft clay through a shaped die to make long, even coils, handles, ribbons, tubes and hollow box forms. The best clay extruder for a home studio is usually a wall-mounted 4 in model, which gives you real leverage without taking up floor space. A handheld clay extruder gun is the budget route for coils and trims. Below we compare six extruders on barrel size and material, clay capacity, dies and warranty.
This guide is research-based. We compared North Star Equipment’s product, die and warranty pages with dealer listings from Sheffield Pottery and Creative Crafts. We did not extrude clay with these machines ourselves. Specs checked October 2026.
Research note: Bailey also makes clay extruders (Sheffield lists a Bailey die kit for a 9 in Bailey extruder), but we could not load Bailey’s spec pages in October 2026, so Bailey models are not ranked here. North Star and dealer warranty figures for the Big Blue also disagree; see that section.
Quick picks
- Best overall: North Star 4 in Stainless Extruder (stainless barrel, about 8 lb capacity, no-time-limit warranty)
- Best value wall-mount: Scott Creek 4 in Aluminum Extruder (removable aluminum barrel, US-made)
- Best for heavy studio use: AMACO Brent Clay Extruder HD (holds up to 10 lb, dual clutch plates)
- Best for big hollow forms: North Star Big Blue 6 in (25 lb pug, extrusions up to 4 1/2 x 4 1/2 in)
- Best handheld clay extruder gun: Scott Creek Super-Duper Clay Gun (10 in barrel, 3 to 4 lb)
- Budget handheld: Shimpo Clay Extruder (5 stainless dies plus a blank)
Clay extruder comparison table
| Extruder | Type | Barrel | Clay capacity | Dies included | Warranty | Price band (Oct 2026) | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| North Star 4 in Stainless | Lever extruder | 4 in square, stainless | About 8 lb | Basic die set | No time limit | $700 to $850 | Check price |
| Scott Creek 4 in Aluminum | Wall mount | 4 in aluminum | Not published | Two blanks | Not published | $540 to $560 | Check price |
| AMACO Brent Clay Extruder HD | Wall mount | 4 in, heavy-duty steel | Up to 10 lb | 3-piece set with selector | 1 year | $950 to $1,000 | Check price |
| North Star Big Blue 6 in | Wall mount, geared | 6 x 6 x 12 in aluminum | 25 lb pug | Hollow round, square, hex, blank | 1 or 2 years (sources differ) | $1,700 to $1,800 | Check price |
| Scott Creek Super-Duper Clay Gun | Handheld | 10 in threaded | 3 to 4 lb | 1/2 in coil die, two blanks | Not published | $80 to $95 | Check price |
| Shimpo Clay Extruder | Handheld | Not published | Not published | 5 stainless dies, one blank | Not published | $90 to $105 | Check price |
North Star 4 in Stainless Extruder: best overall
North Star’s 4 in extruder comes in several packages, and the stainless version is the easiest to live with. North Star describes a 4 in square steel barrel tapered at the top that holds about eight pounds of clay, which it says gives a longer extrusion than most people can handle at once. Sheffield’s listing for the stainless package (NS910) says the stainless steel and plastic contact surfaces prevent clay discoloration, so it suits porcelain and white stoneware.
North Star points to its safety design: no dangerous shackles, fewer pinch points and no clumsy multi-jointed handle. The handle uses a single fixed pivot matched to the barrel, with no ratcheting. Dies are 1/2 in thick polyethylene. The basic package includes Basic Die Set 915: a blank, four solid round coils from 1/4 to 7/16 in, a small square, a hex and two ribbons. North Star also sells larger packages with an Accessory Die Set (larger coils, ribbons and six hollow dies) and an Ultimate package.
The warranty is the best here. North Star’s policy gives its 4 in extruders a full no-time-limit warranty for the life of the machine. The pages we checked do not describe the mounting hardware, so confirm the mounting method with your dealer before you plan your wall.
- Barrel: 4 in square, stainless steel, tapered at the top
- Capacity: about 8 lb of clay
- Dies: 1/2 in polyethylene; Basic Die Set 915 in the base package
- Handle: single fixed pivot, no ratchet
- Warranty: no time limit (North Star policy for 4 in extruders)
- Price band: typically $700 to $850 in October 2026 depending on die package; check the live price
Pros
- Will not discolor white clays
- Fewer pinch points
- No-time-limit warranty
- Large die range
Cons
- Mounting method not described on the pages we checked
- Hollow dies cost extra in the base package
Who should skip it: Potters who only want the odd coil or handle, which a clay gun handles for a tenth of the price.
Scott Creek 4 in Aluminum Extruder: best value wall-mount
Scott Creek describes itself as the original clay extruder maker, and its 4 in aluminum model is, in its own words, its most popular. The barrel is aluminum, so it will not rust and is safe for all clay types, which makes it suitable for porcelain and other white clays. The barrel lifts off the backbar for cleaning, and removable barrel caps make die changes quick.
Creative Crafts’ listing for the wall-mount version says the handle and plunger assembly can be inserted or removed on the fly, and that the extruder comes with two blank aluminum dies for you to cut your own shapes. Scott Creek sells a 24-piece hollow die kit and an expansion box that, per that listing, allows extrusions up to 6.5 x 6.5 in. Sheffield says all units are made in the USA.
The trade-off is that you get blank dies, not a ready die set, so budget for a die kit or plan to cut your own. If you want bigger pieces, Scott Creek also makes a 5 in aluminum model; Sheffield says it mounts to a 2x4 stud with the supplied screws and can produce a 9 in wide slab by slicing a 3 in tube.
- Barrel: 4 in aluminum, removable from the backbar
- Mounting: wall mount
- Dies included: two blank dies
- Options: 24-piece hollow die kit; expansion box up to 6.5 x 6.5 in
- Made in: USA (Sheffield)
- Price band: typically $540 to $560 in October 2026; check the live price
Pros
- Rust-free aluminum suits white clays
- Removable barrel for cleaning
- Least expensive wall-mount here
Cons
- Only blank dies included
- Capacity and warranty not published on the pages we checked
Who should skip it: Beginners who want a ready-made die set in the box.
AMACO Brent Clay Extruder HD: best for heavy studio use
The Brent Clay Extruder HD is AMACO’s heavy-duty wall extruder. Sheffield’s listing gives a 4 in diameter barrel of heavy-duty steel that holds up to 10 lb of clay, the most of any 4 in model here. It comes with three mounting brackets and hardware to bolt it securely to a wall.
Its main feature is safety. Brent uses dual clutch plate sets that lock firmly at any height, so the handle will not drop if you let go mid-stroke. An end cap with a die selector holds the included 3-piece die set, and Brent says the design gives equal pressure with any amount of clay loaded.
The warranty is 1 year, much shorter than North Star’s. The barrel is described as heavy-duty steel rather than stainless or aluminum, and Brent does not say whether it can mark white clays, so porcelain users may prefer a stainless or aluminum barrel. This extruder suits schools and busy studios that value the locking handle.
- Barrel: 4 in diameter, heavy-duty steel
- Capacity: up to 10 lb of clay
- Dies: 3-piece die set with selector
- Safety: dual clutch plates lock at any height
- Mounting: three wall brackets and hardware included
- Warranty: 1 year
- Price band: typically $950 to $1,000 in October 2026; check the live price
Pros
- Highest 4 in capacity here
- Handle locks at any height
- Mounting hardware included
Cons
- Short 1-year warranty
- Small included die set
- Plain steel barrel
Who should skip it: Home potters on a budget, who get a longer warranty for less from North Star or Scott Creek.
North Star Big Blue 6 in: best for big hollow forms
The Big Blue is North Star’s large extruder. North Star lists a 6 x 6 x 12 in aluminum barrel that takes a full 25 lb pug of clay and makes extrusions up to 4 1/2 x 4 1/2 in without an expansion box. A compound rack-and-pinion gear box means North Star says no more than 30 lb of force at the handle is needed for an average extrusion.
Included dies are hollow round, square and hex shapes, all 4 1/2 in outside diameter with 5/16 in walls, plus a blank die. Sheffield adds that it has a quick-release wagon wheel handle and a lift-out barrel and die unit that needs no tools for cleaning or die changes. It is wall mounted.
There is a warranty conflict. North Star’s Big Blue product page and Sheffield both say one year, but North Star’s warranty policy page says the Big Blue is warranted for two years from purchase. Ask your dealer to confirm in writing. This extruder makes sense if you build vases, lamp bases or boxes from hollow extrusions. For coils and handles it is far more than you need.
- Barrel: 6 x 6 x 12 in aircraft-alloy aluminum
- Capacity: full 25 lb pug
- Max extrusion: 4 1/2 x 4 1/2 in without an expansion box
- Drive: compound rack-and-pinion gear box; about 30 lb force at the handle
- Dies: hollow round, square, hex (4 1/2 in OD, 5/16 in walls), blank
- Warranty: 1 year (product page) or 2 years (warranty policy)
- Price band: typically $1,700 to $1,800 in October 2026; check the live price
Pros
- Takes a whole 25 lb pug
- Low handle force
- Large hollow dies included
Cons
- Highest price here
- Warranty length unclear
- Overkill for coils and handles
Who should skip it: Anyone mainly extruding coils, handles and trims.
Scott Creek Super-Duper Clay Gun: best handheld clay extruder gun
A clay gun is a handheld extruder for small runs, and the Scott Creek Super-Duper is a larger version of the classic tool. Sheffield lists a 10 in threaded barrel that holds about 3 to 4 lb of clay, with one 1/2 in coil die and two blank dies included. It also accepts all dies made for 2 in Clay Gun handheld extruders, so a wide range of extra shapes is available.
Scott Creek calls it exceptionally handy and rugged, built for making small runs of a particular form. That fits most hobby needs: a batch of coils for a coil pot, handles for a set of mugs, feet for a bowl, or thin trims to decorate a piece.
Handheld tools rely on your hand strength, so stiff clay is hard work. Keep the clay soft, load it in short logs, and clean the barrel right after use so clay does not dry in the threads. The listing does not state the barrel material or plunger mechanism.
- Type: handheld clay gun
- Barrel: 10 in, threaded
- Capacity: about 3 to 4 lb of clay
- Dies included: one 1/2 in coil die, two blank dies
- Compatibility: accepts 2 in Clay Gun dies
- Price band: typically $80 to $95 in October 2026; check the live price
Pros
- No wall mounting
- Takes a wide range of 2 in dies
- Good capacity for a handheld
Cons
- Only one shaped die included
- Hard work with stiff clay
Who should skip it: Potters who want hollow tubes or box forms, which need a wall-mount extruder.
Shimpo Clay Extruder: budget handheld
Shimpo’s handheld extruder is a simple way to try extruding before buying a wall machine. Sheffield lists it with five stainless steel dies and one blank stainless die. That gives you more ready shapes out of the box than the Scott Creek gun, which helps if you do not want to cut your own dies straight away.
The specs are thin. Neither the dealer listing we checked nor Shimpo publish the barrel size, length or clay capacity, so judge the size from photos before ordering. Stainless dies resist rust, and a blank lets you cut a custom profile for handles or decorative trim.
Use it for coils, handles, small trims and decorative strips on hand-built work. Like any clay gun, it works best with soft clay and short loads. If you find yourself extruding every session, that is the sign to move up to a wall-mount 4 in extruder.
- Type: handheld
- Dies included: 5 shaped stainless steel dies plus 1 blank
- Barrel size and capacity: not published
- Price band: typically $90 to $105 in October 2026; check the live price
Pros
- Five shaped stainless dies included
- No mounting
- Low cost
Cons
- Barrel size and capacity not published
- Small output per load
Who should skip it: Anyone who wants published specs before they buy, or needs hollow extrusions.
How to choose an extruder for clay
Decide what you want to extrude first. Coils and handles need very different equipment from hollow tubes and box forms.
Wall-mount extruder or clay extruder gun
A handheld clay gun holds a few pounds of clay and makes solid shapes up to about the size of its dies. A wall-mount extruder uses a long lever or gears to push 8 to 25 lb of clay through dies up to several inches across, including hollow dies. If you only need coils and handles, start handheld. If you want tubes, boxes or lots of identical pieces, go wall-mount.
Barrel size and material
The 4 in class (North Star, Scott Creek, Brent) is the home studio standard. A 5 or 6 in barrel, or an expansion box, is needed for wide hollow forms. Barrel material matters for white clays: North Star sells stainless steel barrels, and Scott Creek uses aluminum that it says will not rust. Brent’s HD uses heavy-duty steel.
Dies
Solid dies make coils, ribbons and handles. Hollow dies use a bridge or brace to hold a center piece, producing tubes. North Star says its hollow dies are beveled so the clay heals after passing the bracket, with 1/4 in walls on pieces up to 3 1/2 in across and 5/16 in walls on larger ones. Blank dies let you cut your own shapes from the same plastic or aluminum stock.
Leverage, safety and mounting
Wall extruders exert a lot of force. Look for features that reduce pinch points, such as North Star’s single-pivot handle or Brent’s locking clutch plates, and keep children away from the handle. Mount to a wall stud or solid post using the maker’s hardware and instructions, and check the wall can take the load before you start.
Cleaning
Empty the barrel and wash the dies on the same day, before clay sets inside. Scott Creek and North Star both design barrels that lift off for cleaning. Clean over a bucket, not the sink, and recycle the scraps; see our reclaim clay guide.
Extruder uses: hand-building vs thrown pots
Most people think of a ceramic extruder as a hand-building machine, and that is where clay extruders do the most work. A coil extruder turns out a stack of identical coils for a coil pot in minutes, which keeps wall thickness even all the way up. Hollow dies make tubes that become mugs, vases, lamp bases and boxes once you add a slab base, and a tube sliced open along one side unrolls into a slab. Square and hex hollow dies give crisp-cornered boxes without joining four slabs.
Extruders help wheel throwers too. Solid dies make matching handles for a set of mugs, which some potters find faster and more consistent than pulling each handle by hand (our guide on how to pull handles covers the pulled method). Small coils and ribbons become feet, lugs, knobs and rims added to thrown forms, and decorative strips wrap a thrown pot at leather hard. Attach extruded parts with scoring and slip as you would any join, and let them firm up to the same softness as the pot first, so the join does not crack as the two dry.
Living with a clay extruder: workflow, limits and parts
Learning curve and workflow
The extruder itself is simple; the skill is in clay softness and timing. Expect the first few runs to be test pulls while you find a clay softness that flows without slumping. Many potters work in a rhythm: wedge several logs to the same softness, extrude a batch of parts, lay them on a ware board under plastic, then assemble when everything reaches the same firmness. Keep a notebook of which die and which clay softness gave a good result, so you can repeat it.
Refilling and reloading efficiently
Reloading is where time goes. Barrel capacity sets how often you stop: about 3 to 4 lb in the Scott Creek Super-Duper clay gun, about 8 lb in the North Star 4 in barrel, up to 10 lb in the Brent HD, and a full 25 lb pug in the North Star Big Blue. Roll logs a little narrower than the barrel before you start so they drop in without trapping air, and keep them wrapped. Design details help too: Scott Creek's removable barrel caps speed up die changes, the Big Blue's barrel and die unit lifts out without tools, and Brent's clutch plates hold the handle at any height while you load.
Limitations of extruders
An extruder only makes shapes with a constant cross section, so every piece is a straight length of the die profile. Size is capped by the barrel: 4 in models make modest tubes, and wider hollow forms need a 6 in barrel or an expansion box (the Big Blue reaches 4 1/2 x 4 1/2 in without one; Scott Creek's expansion box allows up to 6.5 x 6.5 in, per Creative Crafts). Stiff clay tears at the edges, hollow dies leave a seam where the clay flows around the bridge (North Star bevels its hollow dies so the clay heals after the bracket), and long extrusions can curve as they leave the die, so support them as they come out. Wall extruders also need a stud or post that can take the load.
Replacement parts and dies
Parts support is a good reason to buy an established brand. In October 2026 The Ceramic Shop listed Scott Creek replacement parts for its 4 in extruders (aluminum plunger, backbar, cap pin, cast aluminum cap and handle) and a long list of North Star dies and accessories, from coil, tile trim, tray and octagon die sets to braces, a die mask and the 4 in expansion box. North Star also backs its 4 in extruders with a no-time-limit warranty. Before you buy any extruder, check that dies and wear parts for that exact model are still sold.
Extruder die plates and custom dies
Each die is a flat plate with the profile cut through it. North Star makes its dies from 1/2 in polyethylene, and Scott Creek ships blank aluminum dies with its 4 in extruder. A blank extruder die plate lets you cut your own handle or trim profile; file the opening smooth and slightly beveled on the side the clay enters, and test it with soft clay before you commit a batch.
Keep fingers away from the plunger and barrel opening while loading and pulling the handle. Dried clay in and around an extruder becomes silica dust when scraped or brushed; clean it wet with a sponge and never dry sweep the floor beneath it.
Extruded coils and handles feed straight into hand-building. See our hand-building pottery guide and coil pot ideas, plus the upcoming guide on how to pull handles if you prefer pulled handles to extruded ones. If you mix a lot of clay for extruding, a pug mill can prepare it at the right softness.
Sources: North Star Equipment pages for 4 in Extruders, Big Blue Extruders, 4 in Extruder Dies and warranty policy; Sheffield Pottery listings for the North Star 4 in Stainless Extruder package (NS910), North Star Big Blue (NS970), Scott Creek 4 in and 5 in aluminum extruders, Scott Creek Super-Duper Clay Gun, AMACO Brent Clay Extruder HD and Shimpo Clay Extruder; Creative Crafts Scott Creek SC013 Wall Mount Extruder listing; The Ceramic Shop extruders category (North Star dies and accessories, Scott Creek replacement parts). Specs checked October 2026.