How to use Relyef Extruder Hollow Dies
What is needed:
- Ceramics clay, which is suitable for your firing temperature, the atmosphere of the kiln, and your glazes
- Wall-mounted ceramic hand extruder (Shimpo EX 115 / other than Shimpo EX 115 if you manage to secure the die in your extruder)
-
Relyef Extruder Hollow Dies + either Standard SHIMPO adapter
or Relyef metal adapter - Ceramic cutting wire
- Ceramic knife
- Scraper and plastic clay rib tool
- Brush
- Sponge
- Plastic bag or container for slow drying
- A suitable pad for hand-building
- Glaze
- Ceramic kiln
1) Extruder preparation
Choose the most suitable Relyef Extruder Hollow Die. 
Place the chosen Relyef Extruder Hollow Die into the opening of either the Standard SHIMPO white adapter sold with the extruder (the one with a hole 63mm (2,5inch) in diameter) or Relyef metal adapter with a hole 100mm in diameter (for some you need to also use our Reduction)
Tighten the base plate into the extruder with two screws using a round flange. For reliable operation of the device, proper fit and support are needed. With a properly assembled device, a minimal amount of mass escapes through leaks.
2) Clay preparation for extruding
The clay used for extruding should be on the soft side, softer than the clay you use for throwing on the wheel. The clay needs to be well wedged, free of air. If you are unsure, extrude the test tile and then adjust.
Note:
Dirt, hardened pieces of clay, or air create defects in the product. However, they can be incorporated intentionally and create a certain kind of decoration.
3) Extruding using Relyef Extruder Hollow Die
Insert a lump of clay around 2-3 kg (4-6 pounds) into the extruder.
The mass should pass through the press evenly at the normal pressure exerted by the force of a medium-strength woman. If not, the mass is probably too hard.
Note:
The dies are made to withstand the pressure of approximately 35-40kg, so use only the handle that comes as a standard with the extruder, any extension of the handle might result in the dies breaking.
The softer clay has a higher tendency to collapse and deform, so it is necessary to work gently and with care. Use your hand to guide the clay as it comes out of the extruder.
Cut the tile with a string and transfer the settled semi-finished product from the extruder onto a suitable pad placed on the table.
It is also possible to let the tile dry in the press for a while before you cut it, providing it is not too long that it will tear off by gravity. (You can also use a heat gun to speed up the process.)
The final precise cuts are done on the table after it dries to the leather hard stage. 
4) Possibilities for working with the leather hard semi-finished product from the extruder
Various products can be made from the semi-finished product obtained from the Relyef adapter for the Shimpo extruder. Let yourself be guided by your imagination.
Bisque firing, Glazing, and Firing to the clay+glaze temperature need to follow.
