April 28, 2008
Condition Polymer Clay Properly, Using A Pasta Machine
Vid #7: Trapped Air Bubbles is a Common Problem That Can Happen From Improper Use of the Polymer Clay Pasta Machine:
Most polymer clay needs to be conditioned before you use it. The reason for conditioning is to get the plasticizers and pigments evenly mixed throughout your piece of clay. And the pasta machine is one of the best tools for accomplishing this task.
However, a pasta machine mistake I often see is to have a closed fold of clay as the last edge to pass through the rollers. This makes it difficult for air in the fold to escape. The result is that small air bubbles can get trapped in the clay.
Instead, make sure that any folded edges travel through the rollers first. Or said differently, the last edges of clay to pass through the pasta machine should be loose ends.
And that's just one of several tips I have up my sleeve on how to condition polymer clay properly.
>> Condition Polymer Clay <<
"How To Condition Polymer Clay Properly" Video Description: The full version of this tutorial is available in my Beads and Beading Membership Club. In it I discuss how to use the pasta machine for conditioning polymer clay, as well as how to tell when your clay is fully conditioned.
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Filed under 02: Tools, 04: Handling by Cindy Lietz
Comments on 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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