What does a clay extruder essentially do? What can you make with it? Im guessing fondant accents? but what kind?
Can someone post an example of a cake that has it used?

I use it to make small ribbons, have small strings to write words with. I used it to outline diamonds on my zoo cake. Make hair or grass. Several uses and a useful tool for me.

I've used it to make stems for flowers, it's quicker, cleaner and the stems come out nice, clean and all the same size. Also I use it to make hair. I got a cheap one from amazon.com HTL

The jury is out on which extruder is best. I just think it's what you get used to. I use the Sugar -- craft gun. Here's a link to show you what it looks like. http://sugaredproductions.com/_catalog_85117/Tools

A lot of people like the green makins clay extruder that you can purchase at Michaels or another craft store.

I tried to post a picture here for you, but couldn't get it to work. Here are some links to pictures in my gallery that I have used my sugar gun for. This one I used to make the hair on the bride.
http://cakecentral.com/modules.php?name=gallery&file=displayimage&pid=1691999

This one I used to make the rope on the posts.
http://cakecentral.com/modules.php?name=gallery&file=displayimage&pid=1451533


This one I used the gun to make the fire hose.
http://cakecentral.com/modules.php?name=gallery&file=displayimage&pid=1251047

As you can see there are lots and lots of uses. I use it for borders, and to put edging on my fondant ribbons. It is well worth the investment in my opinion.

here's a blog post from http://livforcake.blogspot.com with the extruder in action:

http://livforcake.blogspot.com/2010/07/fondant-extruder.html

I use my clay extruder all the time...I love it for making hair or recently I used it to make the tassel on a graduation cake.
It has different attachments so you can make different diameters & different shapes. Just be careful when you are washing the attachments....they go right down the drain if you aren't paying attention

Does the extruder gun make the ropes? Or did you have to wrap them to make it yourself?

Mickeebabe -- The sugargun comes with a disk that has a hole made kind of like a 3 leaf clover. Using that disk in the gun, I extrude the fondant and then roll the long string that I have just extruded to twist it. To do the twist, let the string of fondant lay flat on the table and with your left hand, push the string forward, and with your right hand, pull the string backwards.

I just got one at Micheals for under $5.00 with my coupon. I have only used it once so far for the web on the Spiderman cake in my photos. For under $5.00, it is a great tool to have on hand. I didn't know until yesterday but I bought the same one that is featured in the "Confetti Cakes for Kids".

As a side note - the Duff fondant pushes through it REALLY well.

Thank you!!

Jess, what brand did you get at Michaels?

You know, I don't remember what brand. I threw the packaging away. However, this is what is looks like:

http://aardvarkclay.com/catalog_pics/extruders/kemper/clay_gun.jpg

Hope that helps, Jess

I just got one at Micheal's also and I really like it! I can't believe I get one sooner!

I suggest the Makins Ultimate Clay Extruder with the twist handle. I paid $12.49 for mine at Hobby Lobby with my 40% off coupon. If something were to happen to mine I'd buy another one immediately . I use mine that much. I make borders, hair, tassels, script, flowers, and the list goes on and on.

It is a "must have" on my supply list.

Is this the one you have here:

http://www.makinsclay.com/US/eng/products/gun_extruder.htm

Quote:

Originally Posted by mamawrobin

I suggest the Makins Ultimate Clay Extruder with the twist handle. I paid $12.49 for mine at Hobby Lobby with my 40% off coupon. If something were to happen to mine I'd buy another one immediately . I use mine that much. I make borders, hair, tassels, script, flowers, and the list goes on and on.

It is a "must have" on my supply list.

Wow...thanks so much!!!
I think i will add it to my list of things to buy on my next trip!!!