Clay Gun Recommendations

Decorating By artscallion Updated 25 May 2009 , 3:34am by Cakepro

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artscallion Posted 29 Apr 2009 , 1:38am
post #1 of 65

I'm looking to purchase a clay gun to help make more uniform border ropes, braids, etc.

I had purchased a small silver one at Michaels a while back but it just doesn't work. I tried to push the fondant through but, no matter how hard I pushed, it only came out a tiny length at a time. It was like trying to push a submarine through a PVC pipe with a plunger!

Now my fondant wasn't to thick or dry. I just think this dinky thing wasn't really meant for this purpose. I see all kinds of clay guns if I search online. But they are too expensive to just take a gamble on another one that might not work either. Can anyone recommend one that they know works well for 1/8" to 1/4" thick ropes?
LL

64 replies
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SweetMelissa2007 Posted 29 Apr 2009 , 1:42am
post #2 of 65

I read a thread on this last week I think and a lot of people said they loved the Makin Clay extruder. I looked it up onlin because I also want one, and they are around $20 plus shipping. It also comes with 20 different discs. Good Luck.

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artscallion Posted 29 Apr 2009 , 2:01am
post #3 of 65

Thanks, Melissa! I figured it had to have been discussed at some point. But a search only brought up recipes for chocolate clay.

$20 doesn't sound bad. I saw some for $45! I think I'll go for it.

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SweetMelissa2007 Posted 29 Apr 2009 , 2:07am
post #4 of 65

Me too!! The site I found was polyclayplay.com. I don't know how much shipping is but it is where I found it for $20.

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Cakepro Posted 29 Apr 2009 , 2:12am
post #5 of 65

Do a search for "Makins" or "extruder" and you will find 5000 threads on this subject. icon_smile.gif

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stephbakes Posted 30 Apr 2009 , 12:57am
post #6 of 65

I have a green Makin's and LOVE it. Comes with 20 discs, great for ropes, and a "hair" disc to make strings for tassels, etc. Ordered it from the clay store . com (minus the spaces) on a recommendation from this website and recieved it in three days! (even tho I only paid standard shipping.)

Hope this link works:
http://www.theclaystore.com/pages-productinfo-product-745/makins-professional-ultimate-clay-extruder.html?zenid=be16dc8c0a63ae147f854baa863e3f77

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Cakeonista Posted 30 Apr 2009 , 1:06am
post #7 of 65

I just bought that siler clay extruder at Michael's. I was going to try it this week-end for a cake but now I'm disappointed to hear it's a piece of garbage. I should probably return it before opening it.

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Kimmers971 Posted 30 Apr 2009 , 1:11am
post #8 of 65

I got the green Makins as well and am not that happy with it. It holds very little "clay" and the only clear design I've found so far was the plain round opening. Someone posted doing a rope out of the clover disk, it looked like crap. Also. it's not very easy to turn. I don't think it was worth the price and may start looking into other brands. There should be something like the electric/battery operated cookie guns to make life easier (I wish).

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patticakesnc Posted 30 Apr 2009 , 1:11am
post #9 of 65

They have those little Makins at Micheals for $10. They are in the clay section. I know I want one but want one that is like a cookie press gun. It just seems like the little Makins would be difficult to use. I haven't used one so I don't know for sure, but it just seems like it would be hard on your hands.

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Cakepro Posted 30 Apr 2009 , 1:42am
post #10 of 65
Quote:
Originally Posted by Kimmers971

I got the green Makins as well and am not that happy with it. It holds very little "clay" and the only clear design I've found so far was the plain round opening. Someone posted doing a rope out of the clover disk, it looked like crap. Also. it's not very easy to turn. I don't think it was worth the price and may start looking into other brands. There should be something like the electric/battery operated cookie guns to make life easier (I wish).




Wow.

I teach how to do a rope with the trefoil disc (what you called a clover) and think it makes a dandy rope if you twist it correctly.

Tell ya what ~ I'll give you 5 bucks for it. icon_biggrin.gif

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khkakes Posted 30 Apr 2009 , 3:22am
post #11 of 65

I love the Makin and since I got it with a 40% off coupon at hobby Lobby its even better.

The instructor that showed me how to use a clay gun said to make sure you soften the fondant by adding water (very little) to it. I use this technique and have never had a problem. Fondant goes through easily and without tearing.

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Peridot Posted 30 Apr 2009 , 3:45pm
post #12 of 65

I just ordered my Makin from Clayalley.com. It was $20 plus shipping and the business is trust worthy as the lady is the owner of the business so you don't have to worry about credit card fraud. There is a site out there where you can get one for $15 and free shipping. I called the 800 number and was put on hold and could hear the call transferring and when a person finally answered I asked where she was located and she said India - NO THANK YOU!!

I used imy Makin and I think it is great - would recommend it. Make sure your fondant or gumpaste is soft enough and coat piece with a little shorteing before inserting it into the gun.

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goldenegg Posted 30 Apr 2009 , 3:53pm
post #13 of 65

my Makin rocks, i have the green one and i love it w00t! icon_biggrin.gif

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amielyn Posted 30 Apr 2009 , 3:55pm
post #14 of 65

I'm glad to hear the green Makin is a good product. I just bought one at Hobby Lobby with the 40% off coupon, and haven't had a chance to use it yet. I'm so excited to get to try it!

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babysweetcakes Posted 30 Apr 2009 , 3:58pm
post #15 of 65

This is cool, I my self was getting ready to look in to getting an extruder thank you all for the info. now I have a starting point icon_smile.gif

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srodts Posted 30 Apr 2009 , 4:06pm
post #16 of 65

I also got mine from Hobby Lobby this week with my 40% off and I LOVE it. I really want the one on Sugar Shacks site but dont want to pay that much, this one came out to be only $15.

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sweetjan Posted 30 Apr 2009 , 4:15pm
post #17 of 65

The Makin clay gun is wonderful!!!!! Use a little crisco in the fondant or gumpaste, and you can literally twist it out of the clay guy with one finger.
The best!!!!

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artscallion Posted 30 Apr 2009 , 5:00pm
post #18 of 65

Thanks for all the input! I did order the green Makin. I can't wait to get it. Hopefully it'll be here in time for the dueling mothers day cakes for my mom and the monster-in-law. icon_biggrin.gif

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Munchkinette Posted 30 Apr 2009 , 5:26pm
post #19 of 65

I bought the green Makin gun the other day at hobby lobby. I haven't had a chance to use it yet though, I've been too busy. I'm excited to try it out. Any tips or tricks I need to know?

Becky

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CookieMeister Posted 30 Apr 2009 , 8:14pm
post #20 of 65

I bought the Makin green extruder but haven't used it yet. I meant to use it on my son's b-day cake, but then forgot I had when it was working on it! GRRRRRRRR!!!!!

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srodts Posted 30 Apr 2009 , 9:02pm
post #21 of 65

Munchkinette, I have only used it once but it really helps if you put a light coat of shortning around your fondant or gum paste before you put it in the extruder.

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stephbakes Posted 30 Apr 2009 , 9:06pm
post #22 of 65

The only Makin tips I have is to lubricate it a little with some Crisco and to not lose your discs (ie: down the disposal!)...I heard a rumor that you cannot replace them individually. Haven't had to verify this for myself, but its a good warning! ; )

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Sarah1952 Posted 30 Apr 2009 , 9:34pm
post #23 of 65

I just did a search on ebay for this clay gun and they are less than $10.00 there.

Sarah

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artscallion Posted 30 Apr 2009 , 10:09pm
post #24 of 65
Quote:
Originally Posted by Sarah1952

I just did a search on ebay for this clay gun and they are less than $10.00 there.

Sarah




Do you have a link, Sarah? The only thing I found under $10 on ebay were the disc sets for $9.95 or the plastic extruder for $2.95. The only green metal extruders I could find there were $25 or more.

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Sarah1952 Posted 30 Apr 2009 , 10:59pm
post #25 of 65

Here is the link :
http://shop.ebay.com/clay%20gun?_from=R40&_trksid=m38&_nkw=clay+gun&_naf=1
It is the first one listed..The one for $2.95 does come with 20 discs.

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Joanne1944 Posted 30 Apr 2009 , 11:37pm
post #26 of 65

No matter how hard I press, I just can't get the fondant through the gun. How much Crisco or water do I need to use. I have seen posts about both.
Thanks

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Cakepro Posted 1 May 2009 , 12:22am
post #27 of 65
Quote:
Originally Posted by stephbakes

The only Makin tips I have is to lubricate it a little with some Crisco and to not lose your discs (ie: down the disposal!)...I heard a rumor that you cannot replace them individually. Haven't had to verify this for myself, but its a good warning! ; )




That's no rumor. Two of my discs got ground in the disposal so I got in touch with the company who manufactures them (in Hong Kong). They do not sell the discs that come with the extruder individually, nor would they replace my two stinkin' little discs just as a measure of good customer service. thumbsdown.gif

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Cakepro Posted 1 May 2009 , 12:22am
post #28 of 65
Quote:
Originally Posted by Joanne1944

No matter how hard I press, I just can't get the fondant through the gun. How much Crisco or water do I need to use. I have seen posts about both.
Thanks




If you are pressing, you have the wrong extruder.

If you are twisting, you have the right one. I've never needed to, but others say to add some shortening to your fondant to soften it a bit.

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cutthecake Posted 1 May 2009 , 12:32am
post #29 of 65

I think there are (or there were) two different Makin clay extruders. One has a plunger, and the other has a twisty thing. One was under $10, the other was around $20, I think. A worker at Michael's told me they no longer carry the twisty one. (She checked in the computer.)

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stephbakes Posted 1 May 2009 , 12:32am
post #30 of 65

: ) I probably heard that "rumor" from YOU on a thread here!

That's pretty unfortunate. Maybe someone selling on ebay would be willing to parcel theirs out in parts?

Right about the twisting v. squeezing thing. Makin's green one has a super-easy vice-type twisting end.

Just wondering...when you're making a LONG rope (like, to wrap around the base of a 10" round) how do you position the extruder as you crank it out? Parallel to the table, and just move it around the work surface to avoid sticking? I was having some sticking issues when I used the 3-hole disc and the strands were falling onto eachother.[/quote]

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