HIGH DESIGN & GREAT ADVANTAGES
- Every part carefully designed and made for its intended purpose. No off-the-shelf or inferior parts or material.
- Rust free and virtually maintenance free.
- No clumsy heavy shims or boards.
- No chains, cables or cast-iron gears.
- Thickness infinitely variable from 0 to 2.75 inches.
- Slabs can be rolled in either direction and clay can be added or subtracted at any time.
- Roll slabs up to 16" wide.
- The length of the slab is limited only by the space and canvas available.
- Tapered slabs are quick, easy and precise.
- Warping, curling and cracking are drastically reduced.
- All machines accept press moulds and a wide variety of texturing material such as burlap, plant materials, rope, cork and bark
The PortaRoller was designed for ceramic arts teachers who are moving from classroom to classroom and for studio potters who
need a fully functional slab roller but have limited space.
Like the other North Star slab rollers, the PortaRoller has two rolls, much like the wringer of an old-fashioned washing
machine. Both rolls have a small diamond pattern ("knurling") machined directly into the metal to grip the canvas. The
bottom roll is turned by the handle, but cannot move vertically. As it turns, it drives the top roll through a train of
gears. The upper roll both turns and can be adjusted up and down. The two rolls turning together pull slabs through easily,
and the vertical adjustment of the top roll gives an easy-to-set and infinitely adjustable thickness from paper-thin to over
2 inches. A reference scale allows setting and repeating openings to within 1/100 of an inch.
The design gives great flexibility in making slabs. Very thin, translucent porcelain slabs and thick, heavily textured
architectural slabs are equally easy. A wide variety of other texturing materials and objects can be passed through the
machine along with the clay. Slabs can be rolled either direction or reversed on all North Star machines.
CONSTRUCTION
The PortaRoller body and rolls are made of cast and carefully machined high-strength special alloy aluminum. Gears are made
of the strongest material available for this application, nylon or steel. Bushings are nylon and the remaining parts (except
plastic gear covers and knobs) are machined steel. The Table Toppers are made of moisture-resistant Medex with a melamine
surface. Metal surfaces are zinc plated or coated with a durable powder coat finish. Virtually no maintenance is required,
and the simplicity of the design ensures that any repair ever needed will be quick and easy.
We endeavour to despatch pallet and courier/post orders received by 11am the same day, stocks allowing. At extremely busy times when receiving a high volume of orders, this may not be possible.
As we offer a great variety of products, ranging in size and weight we despatch our orders by the most suitable means for each order. Our web shop offers express and budget delivery options.
Saturday deliveries can be arranged but incur a surcharge. For this service please call 01243 265845.