Comments on: Condition Polymer Clay Properly, Using A Pasta Machine http://www.beadsandbeading.com/blog/condition-polymer-clay-using-a-pasta-machine/71/ "Make What You Love... Love What You Make!" Fri, 10 Feb 2012 02:54:45 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Monica Z http://www.beadsandbeading.com/blog/condition-polymer-clay-using-a-pasta-machine/71/#comment-47499 Monica Z Wed, 02 Mar 2011 19:12:05 +0000 http://www.beadsandbeading.com/blog/condition-polymer-clay-using-a-pasta-machine/71/#comment-47499 Thank you very much for your reply. today, i have decided to buy the Makin´s machine, although I use only Fimo and Cernit.. i will write you, if it was good step:-)) Thank you very much for your reply. today, i have decided to buy the Makin´s machine, although I use only Fimo and Cernit.. i will write you, if it was good step:-))

]]> By: Cindy Lietz@Polymer Clay Pasta Machines http://www.beadsandbeading.com/blog/condition-polymer-clay-using-a-pasta-machine/71/#comment-47481 Cindy Lietz@Polymer Clay Pasta Machines Wed, 02 Mar 2011 01:19:20 +0000 http://www.beadsandbeading.com/blog/condition-polymer-clay-using-a-pasta-machine/71/#comment-47481 @<a href="#comment-47444">Monica Z</a>: Boy figuring out which pasta machine to buy is a difficult thing. One day I hope to be able to work with a manufacturer to create a machine that is specifically for polymer clay, is easy to clean and is a decent price. But until then, we will have to settle for what is out there. The Makin's machine, might be a good way to go. I have heard it has improved since its first design. But you need to be careful not to force hard clay through it, since it will strip the gears and they won't guarantee the product if you have used a different brand than Makins Air Dry Clay in it like most of us do. I have an Amaco machine and a Sculpey Machine that have been going for years. I have been very careful with them, and although neither one is perfect and they are difficult to clean, the price is good and they do an OK job. There is also a pasta machine available out there that is over $600 with the motor that was supposed to solve all the typical problems but I am hearing rumors that there are problems with those as well. And at that price, you could buy 20 of the Amaco machines and throw them out when they break! There must be some way to get a decent machine. It is not like it is that complicated of a thing. Anyway, I hope that helps you a little bit. :-) @Monica Z: Boy figuring out which pasta machine to buy is a difficult thing. One day I hope to be able to work with a manufacturer to create a machine that is specifically for polymer clay, is easy to clean and is a decent price. But until then, we will have to settle for what is out there.

The Makin’s machine, might be a good way to go. I have heard it has improved since its first design. But you need to be careful not to force hard clay through it, since it will strip the gears and they won’t guarantee the product if you have used a different brand than Makins Air Dry Clay in it like most of us do.

I have an Amaco machine and a Sculpey Machine that have been going for years. I have been very careful with them, and although neither one is perfect and they are difficult to clean, the price is good and they do an OK job.

There is also a pasta machine available out there that is over $600 with the motor that was supposed to solve all the typical problems but I am hearing rumors that there are problems with those as well. And at that price, you could buy 20 of the Amaco machines and throw them out when they break!

There must be some way to get a decent machine. It is not like it is that complicated of a thing. Anyway, I hope that helps you a little bit. :-)

]]> By: Monica Z http://www.beadsandbeading.com/blog/condition-polymer-clay-using-a-pasta-machine/71/#comment-47444 Monica Z Sun, 27 Feb 2011 17:26:26 +0000 http://www.beadsandbeading.com/blog/condition-polymer-clay-using-a-pasta-machine/71/#comment-47444 Help me, please. In our country (Slovakia), there is a problem to choose a good pasta machine for polymer clay. I would like to buy a Makins Professional Ultimate Clay Machine . But I don´t know, if it is good product. I read good reviews, but a lot of bad reviews. What´s your opinion? thanks. Help me, please. In our country (Slovakia), there is a problem to choose a good pasta machine for polymer clay. I would like to buy a Makins Professional Ultimate Clay Machine . But I don´t know, if it is good product. I read good reviews, but a lot of bad reviews. What´s your opinion? thanks.

]]> By: Kim J http://www.beadsandbeading.com/blog/condition-polymer-clay-using-a-pasta-machine/71/#comment-46941 Kim J Mon, 31 Jan 2011 01:52:40 +0000 http://www.beadsandbeading.com/blog/condition-polymer-clay-using-a-pasta-machine/71/#comment-46941 Cindy, just picking up your reply now - thanks! Unfortunately we are past the "return date", however as we paid under $20 for it (50% off coupon at Michael's), I'm not too upset. Was just getting frustrated by how it was not working! Will have to purchase another, perhaps better quality, machine now that I know what it should do :) Cindy, just picking up your reply now – thanks! Unfortunately we are past the “return date”, however as we paid under $20 for it (50% off coupon at Michael’s), I’m not too upset. Was just getting frustrated by how it was not working! Will have to purchase another, perhaps better quality, machine now that I know what it should do :)

]]> By: Cindy Lietz@Polymer Pasta Machine Info http://www.beadsandbeading.com/blog/condition-polymer-clay-using-a-pasta-machine/71/#comment-46852 Cindy Lietz@Polymer Pasta Machine Info Tue, 25 Jan 2011 23:31:30 +0000 http://www.beadsandbeading.com/blog/condition-polymer-clay-using-a-pasta-machine/71/#comment-46852 @<a href="#comment-46789">Kim J</a>: Kim there is something wrong with the pasta machine... and you should try and take it back if you can. Both rollers are suppose to move. My guess is there is a broken or loose part inside and the gears are jammed. Hope that helps you. Glad to hear you and your son are working with polymer clay. it is a very creative and rewarding endeavor! @Kim J: Kim there is something wrong with the pasta machine… and you should try and take it back if you can. Both rollers are suppose to move. My guess is there is a broken or loose part inside and the gears are jammed. Hope that helps you. Glad to hear you and your son are working with polymer clay. it is a very creative and rewarding endeavor!

]]> By: Kim J http://www.beadsandbeading.com/blog/condition-polymer-clay-using-a-pasta-machine/71/#comment-46789 Kim J Sat, 22 Jan 2011 20:48:45 +0000 http://www.beadsandbeading.com/blog/condition-polymer-clay-using-a-pasta-machine/71/#comment-46789 Hi! Thanks for all the helpful information! My son works with polymer clay and we recently bought an Amaco clay conditioning machine from Michael's here in Calgary, AB, Canada. Unfortunately we have had no luck using it. It doesn't seem to matter how thin the clay is, it does not go through the machine. We are using Premo Sculpey clay, as well as other brands. Only one of the rollers moves - is this typical? The other roller appears to be fixed. Even at the largest setting (9), the clay is not drawn into the machine at all. We are out of ideas - would you have any suggestions? Hi!
Thanks for all the helpful information! My son works with polymer clay and we recently bought an Amaco clay conditioning machine from Michael’s here in Calgary, AB, Canada. Unfortunately we have had no luck using it. It doesn’t seem to matter how thin the clay is, it does not go through the machine. We are using Premo Sculpey clay, as well as other brands. Only one of the rollers moves – is this typical? The other roller appears to be fixed. Even at the largest setting (9), the clay is not drawn into the machine at all. We are out of ideas – would you have any suggestions?

]]> By: Phaedrakat http://www.beadsandbeading.com/blog/condition-polymer-clay-using-a-pasta-machine/71/#comment-42390 Phaedrakat Wed, 20 Oct 2010 10:30:12 +0000 http://www.beadsandbeading.com/blog/condition-polymer-clay-using-a-pasta-machine/71/#comment-42390 @<b>Barbara Huddleston</b>: Hi Barbara, I'm wondering if your pasta machine is clean, or if there's something wrong with the scrapers, perhaps? You're saying everything was working correctly before, and now your clay is sticking to the rollers, regardless of your clay's consistency (soft or "dry".) Are you keeping your pasta machine clean? Do you wipe it down with paper towels & alcohol? Does the temperature make a difference? (Is it warmer in the room, making the clay stickier?) If you haven't been cleaning your machine thoroughly, check out this post about Cindy's <a href="http://www.beadsandbeading.com/blog/polymer-clay-tutorial-cleaning-pasta-machine/1935/">Pasta Machine Cleaning</a> Tutorial. You mentioned that Cindy's clay always comes off in nice sheets...but she leaches her soft clay (and moistens it if it's too hard) so that it's the proper consistency for the technique she's using. It doesn't just happen automatically. Forgive me...I don't know how much experience you have, and I don't want to insult you by asking "basic" questions! So could you give us a bit more information...like do you clean your machine, condition your clay, leach it if it's too soft? Knowing more will--hopefully--help us figure out why you're having this problem. Good luck, Kat Riverside, CA, USA (Where are you from?) P.S.: If you just started working with polymer clay, you should check out Cindy's Polymer Clay Basics Course (link at top of the page.) It has lots of fantastic videos...a great way to get started without making all the "normal" beginners mistakes. It will get you on your way to making beads and other fantastic creations quickly! @Barbara Huddleston: Hi Barbara, I’m wondering if your pasta machine is clean, or if there’s something wrong with the scrapers, perhaps? You’re saying everything was working correctly before, and now your clay is sticking to the rollers, regardless of your clay’s consistency (soft or “dry”.) Are you keeping your pasta machine clean? Do you wipe it down with paper towels & alcohol? Does the temperature make a difference? (Is it warmer in the room, making the clay stickier?) If you haven’t been cleaning your machine thoroughly, check out this post about Cindy’s Pasta Machine Cleaning Tutorial.

You mentioned that Cindy’s clay always comes off in nice sheets…but she leaches her soft clay (and moistens it if it’s too hard) so that it’s the proper consistency for the technique she’s using. It doesn’t just happen automatically. Forgive me…I don’t know how much experience you have, and I don’t want to insult you by asking “basic” questions! So could you give us a bit more information…like do you clean your machine, condition your clay, leach it if it’s too soft? Knowing more will–hopefully–help us figure out why you’re having this problem.
Good luck, Kat Riverside, CA, USA (Where are you from?)

P.S.: If you just started working with polymer clay, you should check out Cindy’s Polymer Clay Basics Course (link at top of the page.) It has lots of fantastic videos…a great way to get started without making all the “normal” beginners mistakes. It will get you on your way to making beads and other fantastic creations quickly!

]]> By: Barbara Huddleston http://www.beadsandbeading.com/blog/condition-polymer-clay-using-a-pasta-machine/71/#comment-42296 Barbara Huddleston Mon, 18 Oct 2010 03:51:23 +0000 http://www.beadsandbeading.com/blog/condition-polymer-clay-using-a-pasta-machine/71/#comment-42296 Hi, I'm having trouble with my Premo clay sticking to the rollers of my pasta machine. I could understand if the clay was too moist, but it isn't. At times it's too dry. Cindy's clay always comes off in nice sheets, mine has to be peeled off at times. I'm at a loss since I wasn't have trouble before. I tried putting talc on the rollers, but that wasn't very effective. Any ideas? Thanks. Barbara Hi, I’m having trouble with my Premo clay sticking to the rollers of my pasta machine. I could understand if the clay was too moist, but it isn’t. At times it’s too dry. Cindy’s clay always comes off in nice sheets, mine has to be peeled off at times. I’m at a loss since I wasn’t have trouble before. I tried putting talc on the rollers, but that wasn’t very effective. Any ideas? Thanks. Barbara

]]> By: Phaedrakat http://www.beadsandbeading.com/blog/condition-polymer-clay-using-a-pasta-machine/71/#comment-33769 Phaedrakat Sat, 17 Apr 2010 08:24:50 +0000 http://www.beadsandbeading.com/blog/condition-polymer-clay-using-a-pasta-machine/71/#comment-33769 @<a href="#comment-33645">AgeAvakian</a>: Me, too. I've had mine for about that long, maybe a bit longer. (But, I had it stored for a few of those years, during my back surgeries.) Still, it's a good machine. Apparently, some of them aren't though. I think it's a matter of getting lucky/getting a good one. I just added another pasta machine to my tools -- the Sculpey Clay Conditioning Machine that JoAnn's carries. It was on sale for $10, so how could I pass that up? I figured I can do light colors with one, and use my favorite one for everything else! That way, I don't have to freak out about my white clay like I usually do, trying to keep it pristine... I haven't taken the new machine out of the box yet though, as I'm re-doing my craft area so I'll have more space to work. I'll let you know how it goes with this new one. If it's as good as the Amaco I already have, I'll be thrilled! @AgeAvakian: Me, too. I’ve had mine for about that long, maybe a bit longer. (But, I had it stored for a few of those years, during my back surgeries.) Still, it’s a good machine. Apparently, some of them aren’t though. I think it’s a matter of getting lucky/getting a good one.

I just added another pasta machine to my tools — the Sculpey Clay Conditioning Machine that JoAnn’s carries. It was on sale for $10, so how could I pass that up? I figured I can do light colors with one, and use my favorite one for everything else! That way, I don’t have to freak out about my white clay like I usually do, trying to keep it pristine… I haven’t taken the new machine out of the box yet though, as I’m re-doing my craft area so I’ll have more space to work. I’ll let you know how it goes with this new one. If it’s as good as the Amaco I already have, I’ll be thrilled!

]]> By: AgeAvakian http://www.beadsandbeading.com/blog/condition-polymer-clay-using-a-pasta-machine/71/#comment-33645 AgeAvakian Thu, 15 Apr 2010 11:10:31 +0000 http://www.beadsandbeading.com/blog/condition-polymer-clay-using-a-pasta-machine/71/#comment-33645 I have had my Amaco pasta machine going on five years now and it has been an excellent choice. No problems ever. I have had my Amaco pasta machine going on five years now and it has been an excellent choice. No problems ever.

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