Is a Pasta Machine Motor Necessary For Your Polymer Clay Projects?

A very timely article for me as I was thinking about just this purchase. I do not fall into any of the the above categories and absolutely do not run enough clay through my machine to justify it. Besides, my biceps is getting pretty muscular from the cranking. Only problem is I tend to crank with only my right hand so I am becoming a bit lopsided. I am having problem with my neck( I am prone to neck strain) because of the position of my machine; it was off to the side and too far from where I was sitting. So a reorganization of my work area (YEAH !!) solved that problem. I was at a workshop where the instructed suggested we stand over the machine while processing clay because working to the side had caused her back problems. Hey, that will give my legs some exercise too.

Some of the things I would rather purchase are a drill press for lentil beads or supplies to repaint the room I work in. It still has Sesame Street wall paper and my kids and I have outgrown that theme.

On the other side of the argument, I LOVE my motor and in fact, have more than one, LOL. The noise doesn't bother anybody at my house. When I first got it, it was because I had had shoulder surgery, so I had an excuse for the first one, LOL. Now I'm just spoiled. Plus, I am a caner and go through A LOT of clay. Although it still doesn't bother me to use the crank, either, I just prefer the motor. When we have a class or I have people over for a clay day, I choose not to use the motor, but when it's just me, I use the motor exclusively, I wouldn't want to be without it. My second one is because I have a "mini studio" in our Fifth Wheel trailer for taking clay on vacation with me and my DH spoils me by not making me lug all the equipment back and forth. Hugs, Sue C

I've used a motor for about 8 years now…I just recently replaced my first motor, so I got a lot of mileage out of it. I think I paid a bit less for mine ($80), but it's not an Atlas motor, it's a 'Pasta Facile'. I use my machine almost exclusively at home because I make canes and do a lot of Skinner blends. I use the motor to take the strain off my arm. The main thing I don't like about it is the noise, especially since I like to watch/listen to the TV while I work. When I clay with friends or I'm at a workshop or Guild clayday, I do not use the motor, because the noise interferes with conversation. A couple of years ago, I went to a retreat where dozens of people were running their pasta motors and the noise drove me nuts, although I did eventually start to get used to it ! I've noticed that when I crank by hand, I actually get sweaty, so I guess that hand cranking does burn some calories !

Hehe…your post made me giggle Cindy. Your first arguments are exactly my sentiments. But if one absolutely wants to have a motor, maybe slightly quieter…there is a funny video on my blog about using an old blender motor that can be adapted.
Off course I'm still without one, I'd rather listen to inspiring music than a whining machine, lol and like you said, exercise those arms, although I have to try my left hand once in a while…

I have just ordered my first one, and it is in the mail as we speak!!! I am soooo excited. I have never used one, but the thought of getting things done a little quicker is very appealing to someone like me! I hope I like it!! (I think I really will!)

What an interesting article as I have just bought my first motor. Forget the noise and think about the quality of what you will be able to put through the machine with 2 hands rather than one on the crank and one feeding & catching!
As for burning calories – take a break and go for a walk!

You're funny, Cindy. Not have a motor. Hahahahah!

I think polymer clay crafting is for the individual to make their own and I love how you always, consistently consider both sides to relevant topics.

As someone who always looks for ways to make new projects possible without a high cost, I agree, the motor is not "necessary".
As someone who has worked with a roller, upgraded to a pasta machine and now uses a motorized pasta machine (a gift from my Matsuka), I LOVE it and schedule my motoring around the needs of my family.

I also use an ipod to drown out the noise. Again, not necessary but completely adored. :)

I am really enjoying those color recipes you created!
What do you think about this combo?
Purple, rose pink, copper, and olive green?

Wow what a flurry of comments! (I thought this could get a few people riled up!)*evil grin*

Beginner's you should know that that all the pro pasta machine comments are coming from semi-professional and professional clayers who make money with their polymer clay.

When you have set up a studio space, bought all the things you want and need to clay with and you would like a little luxury, by all means go ahead and get a motor for your pasta machine!

Heck I may just have to get one myself at some point! Until then, I think I'll buy some other stuff first! *another evil grin*

Shannon about your color recipe comment, I think purple, rose pink, copper and olive green would be a gorgeous color combination!

Were you asking me to make some recipes for that? If so do you have a photo with the colors you want that I could use to create the palette?

I would love to do a color combination like that. I think it would be so pretty and modern looking!

Hi Cindy's friends and fellow fanatics:

I'm looking for advice about a motor. Just back (full-tilt)into working with Polymer clay after a long gap, I find myself developing shoulder pain from all the hand cranking on my Atlas. I want to buy a new machine and motor. The questions is: Makins or Atlas? Those are the two kinds available online – which is how I'm buying. I've read some great reviews on Makins, and some not so great. I'm leaning towards that brand because of the non-stick rollers, but I use Kato clay and wonder if the machine can handle it. Atlas 180 is more expensive – I know they are sturdy, but no non-stick coating. Any advice would be SO appreciated!

And Cindy…you're a gem!

Thanks Linda! I was hoping someone else would pipe in with their advice… maybe they still will.

If I was going to buy a new pasta machine I would buy the Makins Professional Ultimate Clay Machine. It is made for clay and the kinks they had with the product when it was first released, seem to be worked out now.

You can buy a motor for it and it seems to be the best value for the money at $45 for the machine and $70 for the motor.

I have heard that Atlas has recently changed their rollers (to nonstick?) and clayers are having problems with them. I know Atlas has been one of the best in the past but since their main focus is on supplying machines to real pasta makers using flour dough, they won't warranty any machines that have been used for polymer clay. So it's a case for buyer beware. Maybe one of their older models if you could find one would be fine.

Polymer Clay Express has their Dream machine which seems good but it is pretty pricey at $450 + Shipping with the motor and it seems that you have to pre-order it.

Hope that helps.

Thanks Cindy…

I finally did decide on Makins as I found more good reviews than bad. I hear the motor sounds like a DC8 and I'm sure my neighbors will be really impressed when I add that to hammering the Kato clay. :) I looked at the Dream Machine Price too – but Mama! You can buy a lot of clay for $450! Thanks so much for your help.

Cool! Let us know what you think of the machine. It would be great to hear your review of the product after you have had a chance to use it for a bit!

Donna Kato and her husband Vernon recommend and sell both the Makins and Atlas motors (and machines) on their website at prairiecraft.com/polyclay/PM.html. They also sell a footpetal. I emailed them and Vernon said the footpetal works with both motors. He also said there was about a 5% failure rate on the Makins motors.

However, I was thinking you could buy two Makins motors for the price of one Atlas motor, so perhaps it was worth a 5% risk. In addition, I imagine there is a warranty on the Makins mother for use with polymer clay. I believe I read that Donna Kato said the Makins motor was quieter and had two speeds. I am thinking of getting the Makins motor with a footpetal so the machine would not have to be on all the time. I have a lot of very firm on-sale clay to condition! I've conditioned a few blocks with my Makins pasta machine and hand crank, but it takes awhile. So far, I like my Makins pasta machine, but I am new at this polymer clay business.

Hi all…
I've bought the Makins machine and motor and it's really a huge help. Still having a time conditioning Kato clay though…A lot of hand rolling, 20 times through the machine (at least I'm not cranking it)to get it workable.
And I thought Fimo Classic was tough!
However, once you get a cane made it stays in shape. A few days or a week later, it holds form better than anything I've ever used.
Thanks Cindy and Karen for your help!

Thank you Karen and Linda for your fantastic comments!!

When my pasta machine dies, I will get a Makins Machine. And who knows, when I do start working with Kato Clay I may have to get a motor and foot pedal as well! *gasp*

Until then I am happy to crank the handle of my pasta machine by hand and enjoy the peace and quiet! That is until I plug in my Rock Polisher or use my Dremmel for buffing!!! :-)

A note on the Makins machine…1. My supplier tells me that if something goes wrong, Makins has a better track record of refunding or replacing.
And 2. If you have an Atlas – keep it! The number 9 setting on Makins pasta machine rolls out a thickness about equivalent to the 5 setting on Atlas. The Atlas 6 or 7 setting is what I use when I need a really, really thin translucent.
Hope this is helpful to someone! And Cindy – have you blogged about the rock polisher? I don't know much about using those for polymer clay and I'm curious. Do they reduce the need for sanding? Or buffing?
Thanks and wishing everyone creative inspiration.

Thanks for the update Linda! I agree if you have a good machine like an Atlas, than keep it. It's a nice feature that it rolls so thin.

One thing I do when I want an extra thin sheet is I put my clay between two sheets of parchment paper then slip a piece of card stock or file folder behind my parchment paper clay sandwich. This gives something for the rollers to hold onto as it spreads the clay thinner.

This is a late addition, but it may help someone. I have the Makin's clay machine & motor. My machine broke although the motor seems to be fine. I emailed Makins weeks ago & today, just when I'd given up, I rec'd a call from Cust Service. He clarified that the machine is made for clay, but only for Makin's clay. They don't advise using any other brand in their clay machine. It doesn't appear that they'll replace mine since I was using Premo when it broke, but they might help me get a factory second for a good price (??). In the meantime, I'm using an old (+20yrs) Atlas I bought for pasta making. It works great, but it's too old for a motor & the rollers are a litle worn.
Re Kato clay, by the time I conditioned it (which included pounding it with a rubber mallet), I was too tired to use it for a project, so I'd let it sit til the next day, when I found it needed to be conditioned again. A vicious cycle here. I finally decided to devote my old food processor to clay & tried it out on Kato. It worked great. I chewed it up in the processor til it was in little bits (like Cindy shows in her video) & then turned it out on my work surface , where I then used my acylic roller to flatten the clay & make thinnish sheets. I put the sheets thru the pasta machine til they were conditioned which didn't take much longer than Premo.

Rose: That is soooo messed up! You would think a "clay machine" would be good for all clays! I did a search though, and found a review showing that really is their warranty–only for their own Makin's clay. Prospective buyers should know this. Even if the machine works for a lot of people, you need to know that if you run into trouble, you have a warranty. Apparently there isn't one for the clay machine if you use "other" clay in it! No fair!

That is to bad about the Makin's maybe after word gets out and enough people complain about it they will start to cover all clays in their warranty. I have 2 atlas machines and one of them has a motor on it. If I have to run clay through the machine several times I use my motor. One thing I do not like about my motor is that it does not have a reverse on it. For this reason my grandkids only use the machine with hand crank. Which they enjoy using. The only reason I went with a motor is I have fibromyalgia and hand cranking can cause a load of trouble if I do to much. I like both my atlas machines very much and hope they last for a very long time. I also run my Kato clay though the food processor and also leave a heating pad on my work station while conditioning my clay. Keeping the area warmer makes it much easier along with the processor. I mostly use premo because of Cindy but I have a lot of Kato so I try to use it up on canes. I do like the Kato better for cane work so will probably purchase more when it is gone even though it is harder to work with. Premo is my all around favorite clay thanks to Cindy introducing me to it.

Just a reminder if you have kids working with clay be careful if you use a motor on your pasta machine. Little fingers are precious.