Condition Polymer Clay Properly, Using A Pasta Machine

There are several pasta machines on the market to choose from. I've been quite happy with my Amaco brand.

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I just bought a pasta machine and have not had a chance to use it yet. What other ways can you use the pasta machine with your polymer clay besides conditioning and skinner blends?

Katina, you can also use pasta machines for making flat sheets of clay.

If you run a flay sheet through the machine along with a texture plate, you can texturize a sheet at a consistent thickness. Remember to spray your sheet with water first so it won't stick and that some sheets may be too thick for your machine.

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I've just found a site seling Eberhard Faber[Fimo]pasta machines at a much lower cost than Amaco/Atlas,is this one any good?

Andrea I have never seen that machine here in North America, but I was looking at it online and it looks real cool. It is nice and wide, has 7 thickness settings and will even cut the clay in strips.

Since it is made by Fimo my guess that the quality is there. It is also quite cheap and would be worth taking a risk on, especially if the store you buy it from will accept returns if it is not good.

If you do buy it, let us all know how it works for you. I am sure that lots of other clayers in the UK and elsewhere are interested in knowing whether it is a good machine or not.

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I have just started using polymer clay. I bought a pasta machine at a hobby store, and it's a piece of… What kind of pasta machine should I buy? I don't want anything fancy, but I want something solid enough so that it won't fall apart. Thank you. Eliana

Oh that's too bad Eliana! I have an Amaco that has held out quite nicely and was only $21. The next machine I will buy will be a Makins Professional Ultimate Clay Machine which is in the $45 range which has had excellent reviews. I wouldn't worry about any high end machines, they are probably not worth it for you.

Hope that helps!

I, too, bought the Amaco pasta machine at a hobby store.. Actually, it was Michael's. I've had it for a little over two hours and it already busted on me. I'm a little handy so I tried fixing it myself. It's going back in many pieces. Maybe you were one of the lucky ones who bought one before they were cheaply made, Cindy. I knew this would be a waste of money because I looked at it in the store, but I had to get one because the rolling pin was too much of a pain. I'm on the hunt for another cheap brand that's cheap in price, not quality!

I have had excellent success with my Amaco pasta machine. Although it is not high-end $20, I find it is a good enough machine to start out with without too much expense.

You need to make sure the clay is not too hard before you try to roll it out. Never force a large clump into the rollers or it will push them out of alignment. The handle is almost always loose, but a little tape on the end that goes into the machine will keep it from falling out. If it is treated well, it should last a couple of years. (Maybe you got one that wasn't put together right?)

This should be enough time for someone to know whether or not they used it enough to warrant buying a better machine. A good mid-range machine is the Makins Professional Ultimate Clay Machine at about $40 machine + $80 motor. The Dream Machine is a high-end machine for the professional clayer at $195 machine + $375 motor.

Cindy, Love your tutorials!

Is a pasta machine the best device to soften clay? Which one do you recommend?

What is the softest clay on the market, the sculpey?

Hi Margaret,I can try to answer some of your questions, if you like. 1st, in the article above, Cindy mentions that the Pasta Machine is one of the best devices to condition clay. This is what most people use. The Food Processor is another tool that helps with conditioning, or softening, clay. This article, Tools for Softening Clay Quickly, has information about them*. It also has tips about things you can add to your clay to help soften it faster, especially when conditioning really stiff clay. (Sculpey Dilutent is one; you can find more in the article & comments below it.) The article also has links that point to even more informative posts. Or, if you haven't already tried it, you can use the search box at the top left of the page to find articles on any topic. Type in a keyword or two, like "pasta machine" and you'll get a list of articles with loads of information on that subject.

2nd, in the comment above yours, Cindy mentions the pasta machine she owns & recommends (and the one she'll buy if she ever needs a new one!) I have the same one she has now, (Amaco) and have had few problems, although others have. It is inexpensive, you can buy it at Michael's (or your local craft store) with a coupon for under $20. You can also buy online. The Italian-made Atlas 150 pasta machine by Mercato is probably the most common, although the price is higher. You can get these at most of the big online clay shops, like The Clay Store or Polymer Clay Express for around $50.

3rd, Sculpey III IS one of the softest clays, but it is also among the weakest. Unless you need a really soft clay for some reason, your best bet is an all-around, easy to condition, yet strong clay like Premo Sculpey. (If you're looking for a super-strong clay for precision caning, you might want Kato or Fimo Classic.) This article has info on choosing a clay: Fimo Clay, Premo, Sculpey – Which is Best?

There is a link in that post about Sculpey III — you should take a look if you're planning to buy this clay. It can break! When reading these articles, don't forget to read the comments below them, as they often provide even more info, tips and tricks.

*Note: The videos on this page, & the one the 1st link goes to, are now a part of the Polymer Clay Basics, or Fundamentals Course. If you don't already own this tutorials pkg, it is a wonderful way to learn everything about getting started with clay. Cindy demonstrates all the tricks and tips on how to condition, bake, and finish your clay pieces, as well as many other topics. (There are also links to this course at the top of the page & by the video previews.) I hope this helps you! :D