Are they all created equal or is one better than the others. I'm looking on e-bay and there are so many choices and some have more disks but don't look as well made and so on and so on.
http://search.ebay.com/search/search.dll?from=R40&_trksid=m37.l1313&satitle=clay+gun&category0=
Or is the clay gun they sell at Michaels good? I just don't want to waste my money on something cheap that will break the minute you use it.
Thanks for help on this matter!
Jen...
you don't want the plunger type that works like a hypodermic lol... way too hard to be productive with. I recommend the m a k i n 's professional. It's green, has a "T" bar type of crank and is virtually effortless to use.
This one is the best $ you'll ever spend on an extruder!!!!!
Rae
I have the makin's non-green one and, while it works fine, I find it very hard on my hands trying to squeeze stuff out! Perhaps my fondant is too hard!
Yep - you probably need to soften it up with shortening. I find I can use this by twirling one end of the handle with a few fingers while directing the gun with the other hand.
Sorry to barge in on this post but I was wondering if one of you experts would answer the following question as I have never used one before and never heard of it until recently.
Would you guys recommend buying any of the other disc sets that are available or are the ones that come with it sufficient.
TIA! 
I read of people using these guns and looked at Micheal's to see what they had. I have to say that I got the gun that is shown in the picture above and it is great. I have only used it afew times but it is easy to use and I even put it in the dishwasher. If I don't have to wash it by hand it goes in the dishwasher and it was clean as a whistle. Just becareful not to put the little rubber ring in though. That could get lost easily.
I just used my ultimate professional for the first time, it is definitely a dream. I did a figure with the thinnest, verimicelli-width hair...omg sooo easy and FUN using the extruder. I need to come up with an idea for my next cake just so I can use it again SOON. I'd read a lot of posts about kneading some shortening into your fondant, and also greasing the tube, so armed with this knowledge, I prepped it properly and it worked like a charm from the first twist.
Kay_NL it has a "plunger" of sorts, but instead of trying to force it down the syringe-style plunger with your hands, countertops or a hammer, you just twist the T-bar and the plunger screws down. It is soo easy to use. I also agree with the PP, I can't imagine you'd need even MORE discs than the 22(? I think) it comes with. Since I can't find it at Michael's anymore, I got mine online at polyclayplay.com - it was the lowest price I could find when you factored in shipping.
Can you purchase the Makin's Professional extruder at Michaels or does it need to be ordered online?
Michaels has discontinued this product, I was told at two of their stores. They had the discs, but not the gun.
Hobby lobby carries the green one but best I can tell they only keep one in stock at a time. They also have the clay face molds which I have not bought but always look at like ...someday I'm going to need you
The Micheal's around me have also quit carrying it, but if you have a Hobby Lobby nearby they do have it. And if you get it on a week with the 40% coupon you can get it for about $15 or so (as long as it's not already on sale). I bought a different one a Micheal's at first, but took it back (unopened) when I found the Makin's at Hobby Lobby. I love mine!
Thanks, I will try Hobby Lobby tonight. I guess they would be by the polymer clay?
Yep, by the polymer clay. My Michael's doesn't have it anymore, I had to get it online as they don't have Hobby Lobby's out here. I just used it for the 1st time last weekend for hair on a figure, wow that was just awesome, so easy and great results 
I stopped by Hobby Lobby and they had one in stock. I used my 40% off coupon....yippee!! I can't wait to try this out.
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