I doubt I'll be MUCH help here, but.... I purchased the Craft Gun from a cake supply store in the Northeast for about $65.00. I inquired about its use and specifically the possible strain on the hand/wrist area. I was told that it's relative to how much I'd be using it at one time. I haven't used mine yet, so I can't speak from direct experience (yet!); but it sounds like it could potentially be a bit of a pain. 
[Edited: for correction]
Love my Makins Ultimate Clay Extuder--shiny light green metal with a "T" twist handle. Long barrel, easy on the hands, cheap, lots of disks. You don't need to add much crisco to the fondant/gum paste, either, in order to get it to go thru the extruder easily, either. Just a little bit makes it a bit easier.
As for any push extruder--metal, or plastic--they're junk and not worth the pain.
The -s-u-g-a-r-c-r-a-f-t-gun (red & black squeeze handle) is expensive, has a short barrel (so less product length), & requires a lot of crisco to be kneaded into the fondant in order not to hurt your hand too much. Mine sits in the drawer while I use the Makins Ultimate.
Rae
what is a "day extruder"?
Hi! A clay extruder is a tool used for making ribbons, ropes, hair, tassles, grass... The possibilities are great! Mine says it can be used with fondant, sugarpaste, marzipan, etc., and came with 16 changeable disks. I initially purchased it to make sugarpaste tiaras. (I have made them out of royal icing, but I LOVE the nice clean lines of those I've been on this site which were made from sugarpaste.) 
!!
I also use the Makin's green clay extruder. I've used other ones but they are most difficult on your hands. Here's a tidbit for you--make sure you put lots (I mean lots) of shortening on the fondant before you pack it into the extruder. It should be pretty slimey (work the shortening into the fondant but make sure it is really well coated). This helps the fondant to be expressed through the extruder without much pain!
Love my Makins Ultimate Clay Extuder--shiny light green metal with a "T" twist handle. Long barrel, easy on the hands, cheap, lots of disks. You don't need to add much crisco to the fondant/gum paste, either, in order to get it to go thru the extruder easily, either. Just a little bit makes it a bit easier.
As for any push extruder--metal, or plastic--they're junk and not worth the pain.
The -s-u-g-a-r-c-r-a-f-t-gun (red & black squeeze handle) is expensive, has a short barrel (so less product length), & requires a lot of crisco to be kneaded into the fondant in order not to hurt your hand too much. Mine sits in the drawer while I use the Makins Ultimate.
Rae
Rae - THANK YOU so much for this insight!!! I have been tossing up whether to buy a Makins or go the whole hog for an expensive s-u-g-a-r-c-r-a-f-t gun that you describe...I will definitely go the Makins now! I can't wait to ditch the metal Sculpey hand-eater that I use atm!! Thanks!!
I got this one and will be using it on a cake next week. The little ones would probably be great for smaller projects but I needed a big one. This one is heavy-duty and the same price as the ones at Hobby Lobby & Michael's. You can put over a pound of fondant in at a time so you're not constantly reloading. I can't wait to use it.
http://www.mudinmind.com/Pottery+Tools/Extruders-+small/Medium+Clay+Extruder+Gun.html
Glad to see this post. It helps making my decision. Thanks everyone!
I got this one and will be using it on a cake next week. The little ones would probably be great for smaller projects but I needed a big one. This one is heavy-duty and the same price as the ones at Hobby Lobby & Michael's. You can put over a pound of fondant in at a time so you're not constantly reloading. I can't wait to use it.
http://www.mudinmind.com/Pottery+Tools/Extruders-+small/Medium+Clay+Extruder+Gun.html
I have a slightly larger version of the one in the link above. Several of the things that you don't realize about it is:
1. You actually NEED to pack in a good amount of fondant because of the diameter of the barrel (too little material just flattens out & you get a small extrusion).
2. Odds are good that you'll never need as much extruded as you'll get from a full barrel (or even half full). You're pushing the fondant thru a very small hole, so you will get YARDS & YARDS of extrusion from a full barrel.
3. This type of grip and sqeeze mechanism is extremely hard on the hands, especially when using dies with very small holes and especially if you have small hands.
Of course, it comes with very few disks, too, so in order to get others, you have to make an additional investment.
I honestly prefer to use my Makins Ultimate over this one.
JMHO
Rae
Rae - Thanks for the info. That is good to know. I'm hoping I don't regret buying it! I guess I'll know after I cover 3 tiers next week. Maybe I'll recruit someone else to squeeze while I cut
Hope you hgave lots of fun with your new toy 
Rae
well my husband bought me this vintage cookie machine thingy. He paid a dollar for it . Hes like can you can stick (marshmellow paste lol !!!) in it .
I m like hun I doubt it, but I have wondered if i can. Does anyone know? It looks just like a clay extruder gun. just of course with different attachments.
well my husband bought me this vintage cookie machine thingy. He paid a dollar for it . Hes like can you can stick (marshmellow paste lol !!!) in it .
I m like hun I doubt it, but I have wondered if i can. Does anyone know? It looks just like a clay extruder gun. just of course with different attachments.
You might be able to. When you make cookies with those things, some of the dough squishes out above the metal disc that pushes it down and it might be more likely to do that with fondant.
Is it the kind that's part pinkish metal? Those have a screw top on them which should work better than the modern kind.
well my husband bought me this vintage cookie machine thingy. He paid a dollar for it . Hes like can you can stick (marshmellow paste lol !!!) in it .
I m like hun I doubt it, but I have wondered if i can. Does anyone know? It looks just like a clay extruder gun. just of course with different attachments.
I think I know which one your talking about...I was going to buy a $25 Makins and remembered my mom gave me this Swedish Spritz (cookie) maker and I (being a cheapskate) thought I could use it as an alternate! It does work but my hands and palm KILLED after 5 minutes and only a foot of results. Not worth it! Going to buy a Makins with my next paycheck!
I have the silver cheapo one and I agree it's a pain to use... but since I only use it for small details here and there... I haven't gotten the shiny green one... that's the one Ron Ben Israel uses and recommends... I will get it eventually though.... it's a lot easier...
Cool! Thanks for the information everyone. I am glad I came across this post. I was going to order one next week for $45.00. It's nice to know that there are other options out there. I think I will order the Makins Ultimate Clay Extuder. It's 1/2 the price! 
I bought my Makins Ultimate Clay Extruder at Hobby Lobby with a 40% off coupon and it cost me $12.49. Don't know how I ever survived w/o it. It's one of my "must have" tools
I went to my local ACMoore yesterday looking for the Makins Ultimate Clay Extruder. They did not have it. 
They did have another one for 11.99. I purchased it with a 50%off coupon so I paid $6+ including taxes. I was happy with the price, but was not sure of the quality. When I got home me and my mom decided to test it out. We used SatinIce fondant for the test. I did not have to use Crisco or anything. It worked great! I played with all attachments/discs that it came with and I was surprised at how nicely it worked.
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