Pugging Extruded Handles with my Peter Pugger

I wasn't sure if my vpm-9ss had enough power to extrude handles, so I called the Peter Pugger Company.   Their main concern was not if the pugger had enough power, but does my clay have enough tooth?   I thought probably not, as I use a blend of fine stoneware and porcelain.  To test it out, Peter Pugger loaned me a handle die.  Here's how it went..

With my choosen handle at the top, I attached the die to the front of the pugger nozzle.

I got my stoneware/porcelain blend perfectly mixed, deaired and ready to pug.

Switched to pug and out came the handles!

I took hold of my selected handle.

It extruded about an inch per second 

Nice extruded handle without re-injuring my neck or waiting for my husband or son-in-law to extrude for me :)

The con, waste clay handles.  No problem because...

..it goes right back into the pugger :)

to remove the die, just remove the bolts, pug a for a second then cut the clay behind the die.   EASY!