I'm in the market for an extruder and I would really appreciate your imput!

I have the red and black sugar-craft gun and also the Walnut Hollow extruder. I like them both alot. The project I'm working on determines which one I use. The Walnut Hollow extruder has a longer barrel which holds more fondant and allows me to make longer ropes. Many people use the green one which I think is made by merkins. That one also has a long barrel.

I agree with Price, the 2 she likes.

as far as im aware there are 3, the black and red one where you squeeze the handle, the green one where you turn the t bar at the top and then the syringe type, this is the hardest one to use and i wouldn;t recommend it. the other 2, like the other 2 posters said have their uses, i use both these a fair bit. it was cheaper to order the black and red one from an english company and have it sent over then to order from a US company.

Here's the one that seems to be the most popular among CC members (I have 2):
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0018BOXWQ/?tag=cakecentral-20


Here's some great pics of it posted by a crafter on Flickr (click to see them enlarged): http://www.flickr.com/photos/craftygoat/sets/72157605291284689/

Going qlong with this theme, I have a questn about using an extruder. Is there some trick to using one? I have the walnut (screw/crank atyle handle) and every time I have tried to use it, I havent been strong enough to make it work when I have fondant in it. I developed bruises on my hand last time. I have got to be doing something wrong!

You need to soften your fondant. It should come out of the Walnut Hollow extruder without much effort at all. Knead some Crisco into you fondant.

I have the green Makins one and have no problems with it. Definatley make sure your fondant is really soft, warmed by your hands and lots of Crisco when kneading. I love mine and use it for so many things. One of my favorites in the tool kit!

Before I extrude, I microwave the piece that's going in for about 8 - 10 seconds, then I roll it into a ball, then a thick snake, then I coat only the outside of the snake with a small amount of Wilton glycerin (I put my finger on top of the opened bottle, turn it over, and use what's on my finger to smear on the exterior of the snake).
Everything after the microwaving is done very quickly so my fondant doesn't cool too much.

Those steps allow me to extrude so easily, that I normally use one finger to turn the top bar...
If you look at this pic: http://www.flickr.com/photos/craftygoat/2528909136/in/set-72157605291284689

you see the skinny bar across the top...well that bar slides all the way over to one side or the other...
you can literally spin it around with one finger!

...and the warming and glycerin help the fondant come through the disks completely smooth...no cracks or marks of any kind.

Great tip! I'll have to try that. Thanks FlourPots.

You're welcome

I love the Walnut Hollow extruder. It comes in a carry case with 20 different discs. The best of all was that I purchased it at Michael's with a 50% off coupon.

http://tinyurl.com/7egwufe

Thanks everyone! I will definitely try all of that. After the last time, I had given up!

I saw the most amazing extruder recently. Almost effortless to use and large barrel. They even have a battery operated model! It's from Artway Tools (www.artwaytools.com). It's an investment but I think it's worth it especially if you do a lot of cakes. It's on my wish list.

I have 3, the red and black one, I think that it's very hard to use and I really don't like it, if I am doing alot of work with it my hand hurts and it takes a long time.
I have the Wilton one, this one is easier to use, but it does not hold much fondant and it does not come with many shapes, it is very limited.
I also have the Willow Creek, I really don't think that it is food SAFE. I have had black stuff coming out mixed into my fondant from the seal around the bottom. But it is very easy to use. I think I might have thrown that one out.
I just purchased my 4th one LOL. It is the one from Artway tools. I think it is called the ACE. I had tried it in a store and it was great, But they wanted something like $300. for it. So I went on line to Artway and purchased it, with many tips for the bottom for something like $160. I have not received it yet, I'm hopeing that it will come in the mail today.

Thank you all so much for your replies! I get so frustrated buying tools and not really knowing how they will work out. I will definitely be putting a couple of these on my Christmas list!

Elcee...hope they work for you!