I tried a cookie press with my clay and it did leave the 'stutter' marks...it wasn't a P.Chef press, but the action was about the same I think. That's what's nice about the Makins press, you can twist the plunger smoothly in one movement and not leave marks. Even with the larger gun style extruders you still run the risk of leaving marks on your clay/fondant, but they usually aren't that noticeable.
I've read on another thread somewhere on CC (of course I can't find it now), that people have had the "stutter" problem with various types of gun that have a squeeze trigger. It wouldn't hurt to give it a try, just be sure to let us know if it works or not!
I just purchased the Makins one from Hobby Lobby. I haven't used it yet but one of the reasons I settled on the Makins is that I heard so many good things about it here on CC.
Another selling point for me on the Makins is that you can put regular icing tips in it....they fit!! I have no idea if they work well or not but thought that was really neat! 
Another selling point for me on the Makins is that you can put regular icing tips in it....they fit!! I have no idea if they work well or not but thought that was really neat!
Whaaaaaat? Seriously? Why didn't I know that? That's kind of cool! Fondant leaves in a hurry! 
Ohhhh... I feel a 'test session' coming on! 
I have not even had a test session with mine. Since we are on the subject. I have a couple of questions.
What kind of fondant do you guys use in the extruder? I was thinking that MMF would be too sticky.
How in the world do you keep the fondant from just sticking inside the thing? It seems like the extruder will just get all sticky and yucky. Do you use lots of shortening? What?
When you extrude, doesn't the fondant have cracks or something? I'm thinking about what you said Melvira, making leaves. How could they possibly be as smooth as leaves you cut out?
Maybe I should just stop asking questions and go try the thing out!
Rub some crisco inside and also mix a little more Crisco in with the fondant so it's softer than what you would normally use. This will keep it from sticking. The right consistency will help avoid cracks, if it's too dry it will crack, but that can also result in some cool effects 
Best way to find out is just grab some fondant and play!!! 
Melvira: my husband calls those marks tool chatter.
Yes, you can use piping tips in it. However, it will permanently crease the tip when you tighten down the ring. I did it when I needed a size between 2 dies. I would post a pic of it, but I've tried 3 times and the tab keeps shutting down. I'll try to post it in my pics.
I wish Makins would make a BIG one!!!
Ditto. Just like the one I have, but with a bigger cartridge. And it should be compatible with the dyes we already have! Haha, I don't want MUCH do I?
Here's the solution to all (well...almost all) your problems! You can use your discs with it too. I have one and love it! Check it out at: w w w big ceramic store . com . Click on product list and then on clay gun. Got the info from Jennifer Dontz.
Tool chatter!? That's awesome. Well, actually it sucks, but it's a great name for it!!
SO, we have to be prepared to 'lose' a tip if we use it in there, thank you for that warning. I'd have been all mad at myself for screwing it up, I'm sure! 
Kathy, I don't know about the leaf idea, it was just the first tip that 'struck' my brain when you said that. Yah, I think we need to try it out! As for the fondant, MMF works in it, but Satin Ice works better, JHMO. When I take a piece of fondant to put it in there, I rub the tiniest dab of Crisco between my palms, then roll the fondant into a 'log' between them so there is just a light coat on it. As long as your fondant is soft enough, you really don't need to grease it up much. Warm it up in your hands to get it nice and pliable, but if it is really 'thick' as it can get sometimes, do knead a little Crisco into it. 
I wish Makins would make a BIG one!!!
I sent them an e-mail yesterday afternoon asking if they would consider making one with a larger cartridge. I will post a response if I do hear back from them.
Wonder if they even know that a lot of cake decorators use their product.
There's not a category to put the extruder photo in, so I'm going to try to attach it here. If it still won't attach, you're probably not missing much as it looks like you would expect. I just thought a photo might help those who are visual learners.
Thank you!! Now go slip a leaf tip on there and take another go at it! Hahahaha. Seriously, when the boys go down for a nap I might break out a little ball of fondant and try it. If you do leaves with it though, I'm thinking it's going to require a lot of the same 'pressure' techniques you do with BC or royal with the tip. You'll have to put it down on the waxed paper or silpat, whatever, variate your pressure. The biggest issue would be how to get the fondant to 'release' and the end. Pinch it with your finger tips? Knife? Scissors? I must play!!
Well I gave the PC cookie press a try last night and didn't have much success. I was using MMF so perhaps that was part of the issue. I rolled the MMF into a tube and greased it lightly, also greased the inside of the cookie press tube. I got a lot of tool chatter and once I got down towards the end of the tube with about half an inch of MMF left inside, I couldn't get it to extrude anymore. I am planning to make MFF this weekend so if I have any leftover from my cake project I'll give the PC cookie press another go.
Bakingangel, do you have the large one or the medium one...they both look great compared to what I have(a very small one that is useless, lol)
and the price is not too bad for these either ! Thanks so much for posting this information !
I have the gold barrel one (14"). It's great for making long pieces to go completely around large cakes. You don't have to buy anything extra. You use the discs that come with it to attach the little Makins discs to.
Well I gave the PC cookie press a try last night and didn't have much success. I was using MMF so perhaps that was part of the issue. I rolled the MMF into a tube and greased it lightly, also greased the inside of the cookie press tube. I got a lot of tool chatter and once I got down towards the end of the tube with about half an inch of MMF left inside, I couldn't get it to extrude anymore. I am planning to make MFF this weekend so if I have any leftover from my cake project I'll give the PC cookie press another go.
I have to admit I'm pretty bummed. But I'm also thankful you tried it for us!
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