Heavy Duty Manual Slab Rollers

The original DRD Series, introduced in 1978, remains the gold standard in slab roller design. Engineered for professional use, the DRD Slab Rollers deliver unmatched performance, offering maximum load capacity, precise thickness control, and reliable, trouble-free operation. With the ability to roll clay in a single pass to the perfect thickness, no other slab roller compares to the robust versatility and enduring durability of the DRD Series.

The DRD Series is available in two sizes: 30" and 40" widths, designed to meet the needs of professional studios. Each machine features two steel rollers mounted in heavy-duty ball bearings for smooth, reliable operation. The rollers are powered by a chain and sprocket system, ensuring maximum strength and durability, even under heavy loads. Both models are equipped with massive 4" rollers that are gear-reduced for effortless manual operation. For enhanced performance, the rollers are coated with an industrial-grade epoxy abrasive, providing a non-slip surface for superior traction and precise control during the rolling process.

Thickness adjustments range from 1/16" to 1 3/4", and are easily made with precision using a single knob located at the top of the machine. This knob simultaneously raises and lowers both sides of the upper roller, ensuring even and accurate adjustments. A height scale indicator is on the machine for quick reference, allowing for precise and consistent measurements every time.

The DB Series features our patented Drive Board process, designed to produce perfectly compressed, uniform slabs with ease. In this system, the Drive Board is an integral part of both the drive mechanism and the compression process. As the board travels through the machine along with the clay and canvas, it helps propel the slabs forward, preventing them from stalling due to the weight or drag of the clay. The Drive Board offers several unique functional advantages over the DRD Series, making it ideal for certain techniques and applications.

The Drive Board Process excels in producing consistent slabs of varying thicknesses, making it ideal for a range of applications, from architectural-scale work requiring thick slabs to techniques that call for very thin slabs. Unlike the DRD system, which relies on the density of the clay to propel the slab across the table, the Drive Board ensures smooth, consistent slab projection regardless of the thickness or consistency of the clay.

For thicker, heavier slabs, the Drive Board prevents the material from stalling or bogging down due to its own weight, ensuring a seamless flow through the machine. Conversely, very thin slabs, which may struggle to project across the table due to their lack of mass, are fully supported and carried through the process by the Drive Board, eliminating the issue of bunching on the exit side.

Another key feature of the Drive Board Process is that the DB Series Rollers are bi-directional, enabling the operator to roll slabs from right to left or left to right. By simply rotating the Drive Board on the table and feeding the slab back through the rollers, the operator can easily re-run a slab. This flexibility allows for additional techniques, such as impressing textures, creating inlays, and other creative possibilities.