So I bought the tool...how how do I use it? I want to make a long rope, the directions say to use short pieces but I don't want a bunch of pieces portioned together, how do I make it one long continuous piece?

Isn't that funny, I just bought one myself and thought the same thing! I am assuming you would use fondant or something similar? As I was looking at the tool I figured that I would use what ever amount it took to fill it and continue to add more fondant before I ran out, hoping that there would not be an indentation in the fondant. Haven't tried it yet but a small indentation may be an easy fix. Let me know how yours works. HTH

Which one is it?

It's the Darice Creative Collection Clay Gun Set, it's this one.

http://www.countrykitchensa.com/catalog/product.aspx?ShopId=38&CatId=527&SubCatId=1812&productId=625798

The one I bought has a plunger type deal.

Knead some shortening into your fondant for the gun. It needs to be pretty greasy feeling in your hands to come out smooth. Pack it into the tube of the gun and turn the handle/press the trigger/etc to make the fondant come out. If it looks rough, you need more shortening.

Depending on the capacity of your clay gun, you may need to piece your border rope. The larger the diameter of the hole in the die, the shorter your final rope will be. A smaller hole will give a longer, thinner rope.

HTH
Kristy

As I extrude the fondant, if I need a longer rope I keep adding more fondant in the extruder, then it makes a continuous rope.

I use this one:

http://www.michaels.com/Clay-Extruder-Set/gc1628,default,pd.html?cgid=products-generalcrafts-clayandtools&start=1

I have both of the other ones listed here too, but this one hurts my hand much, much less. It also can load from either the front or the back.

If you are making a one color ROPE use the die that looks like a clover leaf, after you have a long portion twist into a rope. If you need to make longer...what I do is cut rope on a diagonal without mushing down (use sharp knife) repeat with additional rope and splice or miter together. I am pretty OCD about being meticulous when splicing and when I splice/miter several pieces it looks like one continuous piece.

I use this one:

http://www.michaels.com/Clay-Extruder-Set/gc1628,default,pd.html?cgid=products-generalcrafts-clayandtools&start=1

I have both of the other ones listed here too, but this one hurts my hand much, much less. It also can load from either the front or the back.

I just unscrew the part with the handle attached and then spin the part that screws on to the tube back down. Then reload the tube and put the top back on.

You can't beat this for borders:

http://www.globalsugarart.com/product.php?id=22055&name=Rope%20Set%201%20Mold%20by%20First%20Impressions

This is one of my favorite molds. And the way the ropes are set up, you can easily piece it together without being able to tell where you do it (although I don't always take the time like I should to do it that way).

I just used this mold for the borders on my most recent cake (a green and yellow tiered one). I LOVE LOVE this mold.

Edna De la Cruz has a you tube video on the extruder, I think she is great! she has numerous you tube videos. Also, check out her website, she is very good at explaining things. Here is the link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SenLtQqNxRo&feature=related

If the link doesn't work go to you tube and type in clay extruder to find her video

Pretty easy. I always Crisco the tube and add some to the fondant to make sure that nothing sticks and it comes out smoothly.

[quote="silverdragon997"]Pretty easy. I always Crisco the tube and add some to the fondant to make sure that nothing sticks and it comes out smoothly.[/quo
great, I am looking forward to using it, I had a50% coupon for Michael's so it makes me feel better that I got a great deal

I recently went through this same process and ended up with the green
m a k i n s extruder. I just grease up the extruder barrell and condition the fondant and it works like a charm. I can't believe I've gone so long without this tool. It has so many uses!