Video #520: From the Wellness series with patented rollers “GUARANTEED” not to leave any metal residue (aka black streaks).
Topics Covered In This Video:
- Unboxing new Atlas 150 Wellness Series Pasta Machine Gold
(if you purchase a pasta machine through this link that I provided, Amazon will pay me a small referral fee which helps me to make more free videos for you :-)
- I needed a new pasta machine (mine was falling apart and leaving too many black streaks on my clay).
- This machine has anodized aluminum rollers which are supposed to eliminate metal residue on pasta (guaranteed they say)… hopefully it works to elliminate those metallic black streaks on polymer clay too. You can be sure I’ll be keeping you in the loop on this one since those black streaks are such a pain.
- First impressions… beautiful, sturdy, high quality feel out of the box.
- Comes with a strong C-clamp that has a metal thumb screw. This is a big improvement over the very breakable, plastic design on lower quality pasta machines.
- The crank handle is made of what feels like a strong metal. I mentioned in the video that the handle insert slot appeared to be a title loose… and that it may need tightening with my Pasta Machine Rubber Glove Trick (see resource link further down on this page)… but based on further useage, I found that the handle did stay put and works just fine as is. Yay!
- There is a clamp hole on both sides of the machine. Nice!
- The handle and gears move smooth like butter. Trust me, you can feel a huge difference between this this Atlas Machine and the less expensive Sculpey or Amaco Clay Machines.
- The thickness settings on this machine range from 1 at the thickest, to 9 for the thinnest.
- Although I did not show this in the video, here are the Playing Card Thickness measurements which correspond to the settings on this Atlas 150 Wellness Pasta Machine. 1 = 8 playing cards; 2 = 6 cards; 3 = 4 cards; 4 = 3 cards; 5 = 2 cards; 6 = 1.5 cards; 7 = 1 card; 8 = 0.75 cards; and 9 = 0.25 cards (very thin).
- Clay runs through all the settings beautifully. Even sticky clay went to an extremely thin sheet.
- I’m in love! Sorry Dougie.
- Related Resource: Gold Marcato Atlas 150 Pasta Machine on Amazon
- Related Video: Black Streaks from Pasta Machine on Polymer Clay
- Related Video: Does Your Pasta Machine Handle Keep Falling Out
- Related Video: Using Playing Cards to Measure Pasta Machine Settings
- Related Video: Pasta Machine for Clay – Maintenance and Buying Tips
Do you have any suggestions for videos on tips, techniques or products you would like to learn more about? Let me know in the comments section below!
My goal is to help you to learn quicker and easier ways to bring up the professionalism in your polymer clay art.
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Looking forward to hearing from you!
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Your happiness came through my computer and infected me :D
still smiling, have lots of fun with your new tool
speaking of tools I rcvd my 6-step pliers Saturday, looking forward to breaking them in when my mom returns from her visit to Germany- new Grandson to meet ya’ know. She’s been gone about 5 weeks and it has been something else having to go feed/walk/medicate all her foster fur babies- don’t get me wrong I’d do it for another 5 weeks if needed — it just kind of wears me out too much to get out my clay stuff… But I’ll get back to my normal routine soon enough:)
You made me smile when I read your comment Sherry. You sure are a supportive person coming in here and commenting like you do. I think you are going to love the 6 step pliers! They are just a simple tool, but they really help you make consistent sized loops. Which makes your jewelry look more professional.
What a good daughter you are to help your Mom like that! I am sure you are really appreciated for taking care of her animals while she is away.
Hope you can get to claying soon… you must be suffering from with drawl… I know I would be!
Thanks for stopping by!
I checked the Wellness150 on Amazon.ca and see it does not yet come in the colours. It has all the improvements your pasta maker has but I am wondering if it is the same machine.
Hi Lawrence, as long as the rollers are anodized aluminum it should be fine. I have seen some machines that are silver and not colored that have the right rollers, but be careful that yours doesn’t have the stainless rollers because I have heard that even though they are really nice machines, they still leave the black streaks.
I have several Atlas 150 Wellness pasta machines (mine are black) and several of the wider Atlas 180 Wellness models (chrome).
I can confirm that they don’t leave black streaks. And the handles don’t fall out either. :D
There is still quite a bit of variability in the thickness settings, however! Out of the 3 Atlas 150 Wellness machines I currently have in use, the #1 setting on the “thickest” machine is 2 playing cards thicker than the #1 setting on the “thinnest” machine. The thickness difference persists through the whole range of settings, although it obviously becomes smaller in absolute size. The third machine has thicknesses roughly between those of the other two, a bit closer to the “thickest” machine than to the “thinnest”. They were all bought in the same batch too! I only have one of the wider “180” machines in use at the moment, but it has a big jump part way through its settings… So I still check the thicknesses for each machine and attach thickness reference charts to them.
They’re definitely sturdier and better constructed than the other pasta machines I’ve used, although I’ve still managed to break one! My opinion: they’re good, but not perfect.
Nice to hear from you Sue! I agree the handle doesn’t actually fall out, which I found out after using it. Although it seems loose, it has a longer shaft that goes into the machine and is balanced properly… so it doesn’t fall out but can be easily removed and moved to the other cutting rollers.
I also agree about the machines having different settings from machine to machine. That is why the card measurement is so useful. On my machine the setting were as such:
#1 = 8 cards thick
#2 = 6 cards thick
#3 = 4 cards thick
#4 = 3 cards thick
#5 = 2 cards thick
#6 = 1.5 cards thick (approximate of course)
#7 = 1 card thick
#8 = .75 cards thick (approximate)
#9 = .50 cards thick (approximate)
Your opinion that they are good but not perfect is exactly right! A perfect machine would be the same quality, but with removable scrapers, wider width, better gears so they don’t clunk and leave horizontal markings on the thicker settings and more evenly spaced thicknesses. Of course the dream machine pretty much dealt with these issues, but the pricing is not in line with what this industry can afford. Basically if Atlas tweaked their machines a little they would be perfect… though I sure am happy to have a much better machine!
Sounds like you could develop a better pasta ma machine and make a little dough. Pun intended!
How do you remove the scrapers?
Hi Vincent, you can’t actually remove the scrapers blades on this machine. Just wipe the scrapers down with a baby wipe and your good to go.
The amount you mentioned is that Dollars Canadian or American? I’m figuring you didn’t convert. Do you think it disassembles the way your video taught us on cleaning?
Hi Ken, we actually paid $94 USD which included shipping. And I would be nervous about dissembling this machine because I would be afraid it wouldn’t go back together… so I can’t tell you. But if I ever do end up breaking it or it becomes so clogged with clay that I can’t use it anymore, then of course I would risk opening it up and finding out! :)
Cindy,
I am so happy for you! Nothing like having tools that do what you want, with ease. It looked so sturdy and smooth-rolling.
Does this machine have metal blades (the ones that keep the clay from wrapping around the rollers)? I had heard that, at least for a while, they made the Atlas with plastic or rubber tips on the blades which made it not so great for clay. In fact this site (Mona Kissel) replaces those blades for you with metal ones. Is this no longer necessary? Did Atlas change the machine back? Can you remove the blades for cleaning?
Hi Fran, I turned my machine over and see that the scrapers are indeed a plastic/silicone/rubber material. I have not heard about any problems with them… so thanks for bringing that to my attention. I guess if I do end up running into issues I can replace them with metal ones and probably get Mona Kissel to convert may machine into one that the scrapers can be easily removed, because these ones currently can not be removed for cleaning.
Your excitement over the new pasta machine made me smile Cindy. I remember how happy I was to get mine. I wish you many hours of joy and happiness using it. Don’t you just love getting new toys especially when we know it is going to make our creative process so much more enjoyable! Happy Claying!
Yes I do Dixie Ann! Some girls want diamonds… I want new tools! :)
I’m the same way about tools! My husband looks at all my pliers, hammers, etc., and says he’s jealous. In fact next week is my birthday and my husband is getting me a new Atlas 150 Wellness pasta machine because of your recommendations. Who says birthday gifts can’t be useful?!
By the way, Cindy, I absolutely love your videos! This is the first time I’ve left comments but after checking my email, I always look in to see what’s new with you – even before checking facebook! ;)
Thank you Marcia for saying that! Do enjoy your new pasta machine… it is like have jewelry (functional jewelry) for your craft space. And Happy Birthday!
It is beautiful!
It really is beautiful Melodie! :)
Cindy, You always make me smile but your excitement over your new machine made laugh! I’m like you, I love to get new clay tools! I have a room full! Enjoy your machine and I look forward to your next tutorial!
I would like to see your take on the Lucy Clay Extruder.
Hi Cindy,
I totally agree with your excitement over your new pasta machine! I managed to buy a used Atlas 150 from eBay a while ago, and it is a great improvement over my old pasta machine. Are you aware that polymer clay artist Mona Kissel and her husband adapt Atlas pasta machines to have removable scrapers? Check out her web site: monakissel.com. They also sell Atlas pasta machines, both the 150 and 180 models, and send them to the customer already adapted with the removable scrapers.
The removable scraper blades are so worth the extra few dollars (especially when factoring in time spent trying to clean the scrapers and never quite getting all the crud off.) I’ve had my modified Atlas 180 for 3 years already. I had gone through 2 cheap ones the year before that, so it’s more than paid for itself already.
Congratulations on your new pasta machine! Feels like a new family member almost! I shall be watching avidly to see what you create with it.
And what a good idea to put your PM inside a biscuit tin lid to catch any bits that drop. The cleverest ideas are often the simplest!
Thanks – Marion
I laughed out loud Cindy, at your excitement at opening your pasta machine and you looked so cute wearing your beach-themed set of earrings, bracelet and pendant. On my birthdays instead of perfume, flowers etc. my DH used to buy me things like a bench vice or new set of screwdrivers!
It is now nearly a year since he passed away but I know he is looking out for me. This morning (for no apparent reason) a picture fell off the wall right where his photograph stands on the shelf. His way of reminding me to take care with the tool I had grabbed to use. It was entirely the wrong one for the job but I was too lazy to look for the right one. OK, you win I laughed and got up to search in the cupboard for the right one.
At the moment I am putting together some man-type items for a booth at local craft fair being held the week before Fathers Day which is 15th June.
Looking at your library I never did make the Bo-Ho beach bracelet but the way you made the starfish and shells will be just right as chunky charms for my man-bracelets made from Para cord. I chose a sludgy khaki cord and have six just waiting for me to make the charms to attach. So as always Cindy, you are my inspiration…..cheers…..xx……
Hi Cindy,
First of all I would like to tell you that I’ve learned so much by watching your videos! I’m working on being able to buy the paid tutorials because I can see how much learning there is in those and I want so much to learn new techniques! Anyway… my question involves the pasta machine and those black marks. Short of having to buy one like you have, I was wondering if you could coat the rollers in some kind of silicone? I’ve seen where you can make or mix up your own kind of silicone in the past, and I’ve seen the dip you have for your tools. I wonder if you could take a brush and coat the rollers with a thin layer of silicone? Or maybe some white glue or rubber cement (do they still have that anymore?) Anyway my thoughts were that if you coated the rollers it may prevent those black marks. If I can avoid having those with my cheapo pasta machine I want to. Do you think your old pasta machine would be up to testing out my theory? I’d be curious as to the outcome. Thank you in advance if you can talk your old machine into trying it out!
Have a very wonderful day!
Hi Lisa, I have tried coating the rollers with several different products, such as sprays, oils, waxes and glazes, all of which would stick to the raw clay and come off the roller. I will use my old machine to continue to test different products, but I would not hold my breath… the problem is the metal they use on the roller. The anodized aluminum rollers on my new machine seems to have solved that problem.
I have also been looking for a new Pasta Machine. I found the one you mentioned on your video and the ones I saw have ABS handles and the bottom screw knob is also ABS. Are you sure yours are metal and if so what is the serial number or something more so I can make sure I get the same one.
I love your videos and have learned so much. Please continue.
Sandy
Hi Sandy, Yes I am sure the handle and the clamp are indeed metal on my machine. I believe that all the colored anodized designer machines have the metal accessories that I spoke of. Perhaps the other versions do not? Oh the serial number on my machine is No. 1048594 Model – Deluxe. Hope that helps!
Hi Cindy,
Thank you so much for the information. Off I go searching the web for this model number.
Sandy
Hi again Cindy,
Well I have been looking on the web for the Atlas 150 Wellness Pasta Machine and I have some bad news. Apparently Atlas has decided to produce a cheaper product (money I guess) I have been searching for the same Pasta Machine and no luck. For all of the people who watch your videos they have changed the handle and screw at the bottom to ABS (If you don’t know that is plastic) I have searched all types of places and no luck I would even pay more for metal handles and screw, but alas not such luck. Macato Atlas Pasta Machine Deluxe 150 Wellness is no longer being sold if you are able to find a Pasta Machine make sure you check to see if ABS is on the description (that is PLASTIC) everything else is the same but now they have ABS it makes it cheaper to make but you were very lucky to get one that has metal handles and screw. Be Careful if you are shopping for the above pasta machine and look for ABS in the description. Buyer beware.
Maybe someday someone will sell a 150 on e-bay and I will be able to get a good one.
I have just started watching your videos and they are very informative I like how you show the good things and not so good things.
Thank you for your help I just wish I was able to find the same pasta machine, just wanted to warn people who are also looking.
Sandy
Hi Sandy here is a Amazon Link for to the exact machine that I purchased.
Cindy,
Your link for this machine goes to Amazon.com. Do you have an arrangement with Amazon.ca as well? For those of us in Canada, the US – Canadian dollar exchange rate at the moment is crippling! My machine gave up (I am going to pull it apart and see if I can fix it, nothing to lose), and I would like to buy this one and have you get something from my purchase, but it may have to wait for a while unless I can access a Canadian source. ;-(
Actually unless things have change recently, our arrangement is only with the amazon.com site… they made us pick one or the other. Most of our customers are US based, so that is the direction we went. Not to worry… just do you gotta do ;-)
I looked and found a good price for you here on the Canadian Amazon Site. It isn’t a colored anodized aluminum model, but it is a wellness machine and the rollers are apparently some sort of alloy that is oxidation free (no black streaks).
Thank you, Cindy. You do go above and beyond! I totally understand why you went amazon.com.
Well, I guess that’s another item on my “you better buy something off of my list this year dagnab it” list!! Lol. Although it won’t be lol if I don’t get ANYTHING off of it AGAIN!!
Hello again, Yes,Yes,Yes I have found the same Pasta Machine you have after many hours of looking the web I found one brand new. I am as happy as you are. It works great.
Just to let you know this Pasta Machine was made in 2008 and the Atlas 150 Wellness machine name stays the same each year they just changed to the plastic (ABS) after 2008 I am guessing to make the 150 cheaper. Be careful when you purchase to make sure you have the correct Pasta Machine.
Thank You so much for the information you sent me, that is the only reason I was able to get the same one. I have watched many of your video’s and found them very helpful and great.
Thank you again,
Sandy Dellinges
That is Wonderful Sandy!
Now that you have used this machine for a while, has it lived up to its claim with no streaks?
I have a whole bunch of orders for my jewelry and my pasta machine, today is leaving HORRIBLE HORRIBLE black streaks in all my white and I am about ready to scream!!!!
I feel your pain Shelley! I can say after using it for a few weeks that, yes there are no streaks with this machine!
Hi – I live in the UK and have just bought the Atlas 150 pasta machine to use with polymer clay. As the rollers are anodised aluminium, I’m a bit nervous about what to clean them with. I saw that you have recently bought this machine too, so I’m hoping you can advise me please.
On my original machine (Sculpey), I used baby wipes and kitchen towel, but I see that the Atlas says not to put paper or water through the rollers. I have some surgical spirit (we don’t have rubbing alcohol in this country) and wondered if this could be used.
I’d be so grateful for your reply, and many thanks in advance for your help.
Hi Sue, sorry for the long delay in getting back to you. I wouldn’t use rubbing alcohol, on these rollers unless you need to. A mild baby wipe or cleansing cloth would be less harsh and works quite well. I wouldn’t worry about water on the aluminum rollers. It’s not like it will cause it to rust or anything. Just wipe along the rollers and scrapers as you turn the handle and don’t run the paper or cloth through the rollers.
I find my new Atlas needs hardly any wiping or cleaning at all. The rollers don’t leave balk streaks and because the rollers and scrapers are properly aligned and are in perfect working order… very little clay gets stuck to the rollers or scrapers in the first place.
Cindy, just by chance I happened to have a brand new Atlas 150 Wellness gathering dust on it’s box because it never came out of the box. Guess I bought it believing I would use it. BAH ha ha! Anyway, I notice that after putting my clay through the machine there are noticable ripples in the clay. Is this normal? No one has mentioned it (that I could find) and I don’t know if I need to buy another one. I hope not. I’ve aready blown my budget for the next 2 years.
Hi Peg, there is nothing wrong with your machine, it is just they way the gears fit together especially at the thicker settings that cause those lines. You can try pulling on your clay as it goes through the rollers. Only go down one step at a time. Turn you clay the other direction to flatten the lines out. Give the sheet a tug when it comes out of the machine. Little things like that. You’ll find at the mid settings it doesn’t do it as bad. It is a great machine though. No streaks, handle doesn’t fall out, gears are strong, clay doesn’t build up… all in all the best machine I have ever worked with. (so what I’m saying is… keep it.) :)
Hi Cindy,
Ok, NOW I plan on joining your group. Discovered it 3 years ago this coming Feb but resisted w tooth & nail. W a math/science background, problem solving is 1 of the major attractions of PClay for me! Esp making faux minerals which i tried to perfect w my own techniques (ex: using translucent w crushed incense cones for jade), or approaching like a science (ex: copying the exact tones of malachite then joining multiple canes in doff order for every piece to look different). But, but, but… I HAVE NOT BOUGHT A PASTA MACHINE IN ALL THESE YEARS! If i do now, i will have to PERFECT using it when i’ve perfected the playing cards technique so well! Not willing to take risks? You bet! I feel like i am lying calling myself an artist! My sister (gone from cancer last year) was the artist. I’m the scientist turned screenwriter/film producer/author (not as artistic as you’d think as so much of it is calculated to sell…). The photos i’ve taken of my jewelry speak for themselves & no, no amount of advice will ever render me capable of taking a decent pic! My time has also been limited, having weeks freed up all at once then no time at all for a while for PClay. For all these reasons, i need to take the plunge & join! I also need to “come out” so to speak & meet others in this oh-so-friendly PClay online community. I’m amazed to see how supportive these people are, not to mention outrageously talented which in itself is enough to scare someone like me away! I took 1 plunge 3 days ago & capitulated when my friend Karen in Australia opened an Etsy shop for me, so i’m on a roll… I used the cats as an excuse! (100% of the profits are for them) I’ve rescued cats for 4 years now, socialize & care for them & place them in good homes – or rather GREAT homes as i worry about them. 13 placed this year & a GalactiCats website coming to help in the new year (i shamelessly use my ex to plug & place the kitties as he was on both TV shows…). i’ve finally introduced myself, after peeking here through the years & knowing so many names who do not know me! Lol I will be joining in January, & i know that my illusion and fear to have the problems solved for me and no more fun to be had that way will in fact, be shattered! Looking forward to all the fun you guys have been having without me! Lol
Sophie LaPorte.
PS: How did you get YOUR man to do this w you? Mine is an out of work TV Engineer who can work cameras but won’t even take my pics! The.max he’s willing to do is sand for 15mns once/month!
Hi Sophie LaPorte…Welcome to the family. I’m a relative newcomer but it seems like Cindy has been a friend for years. You will be so glad you joined. When I did polymer clay before I wasn’t really making jewelry but what I made did need to be sanded and buffed and I didn’t even know that much. After being in Cindy’s group for just a couple of months I have sold my first piece and I hope to open an Etsy store sometime early next year. It’s amazing the little tips that Cindy shares with us that make all the difference between ho hum and WOW!!!
So, strap yourself in. It’s an amazing ride.
Peg
Thank you Peg for welcoming Sophie and saying such lovely things! I am so pleased to have you in our clay family. It is because of people like you, that my work gives me so much pleasure. Cheers to a fun and creative New Year!
Welcome Sophie! I am so glad to hear that you are taking the PcT Plunge! Thank you so much for sharing your story… you sound like you have an interesting life! Like you said, this is a supportive and friendly community and you will have lots of fun here. There are many interesting people who are just like you, that will love to get to know you too. Enjoy!
Oh and how I got Doug to work with me? I’m not really sure… Glad he’s here though. Could not do it without him! :)
Cindy and all others who contributed to this post : THANK YOU for all the info about the new pasta machine. I also learned how to navigate your blog. Previously, I’d stumble into it accidentally but now I know how to really use it ! ( Thanks Doug !)
I’m off to buy a new pasta machine !
Best wished,
Vivian Beal
I mistyped : Best WISHES !
Glad I was able to help Vivian… enjoy your new pasta machine.
Great video, I’ve just ordered my pasta machine, in green. I have just begun with jewellery making and find your advice most informative and easy to understand, thank you.
You are more than welcome Greg! Have fun… if you need any answers, don’t forget to try the search box first… there are years and years of helpful information, buried in these pages!
Good morning. I currently am using a Atlas 150 pasta machine. The scrappers are plastic and I can see a crack on one of them. My question is do I replace with the Atlas 150 Wellness Series $109 at Amazon.ca or do I have Mona Kissel replace the plastic scrappers with metal ones for $48. I am not concerned with the cost just want to have the better tool. Did you get your machine from Amazon.ca or .com?
Hi Sharon, I got my machine on Amazon. My scrapers are nylon too, but I haven’t had any issues with it. I can’t give you advice about the Mona Kissel blades because I haven’t used them, but I have heard good things about them. I guess it depends on the condition of your machine right now. Is it in good working order? If so, get the new blades… if not get a new machine.
Cindy, I ended up buying 3 inferior models before I broke down and purchased the heaven sent Atlas 150 that you recommend! There was nothing more frustrating or aggravating than constant streaks on my clay with the cheap machines! Please tell your students to just, forgive me, suck it up and pay the $80-$90 bucks and be done with it! …. love, j
I will do that :-) … thanks for posting your comment Juliana.
Cindy,
I just broke down and bought one of the machines you have the link to. Wanted to let you know so you get credit for it. Put part of my bonus toward it today before I decided to do something frivalous like pay bills. LOL Cant wait for it to get here.
LOL! Thank you so much Beth. I think you are going to love it! Let us know what you think of your new pasta machine.
Hi, I have been researching different machines and have found comments that the plastic coating or what ever it is on the blades have had a problem tearing the clay, have you had that problem ?
I have an Atlas 150 as well, though it’s not a gold one. I bought a used one from Ebay and I love it! I haven’t had any tearing issues. If I try to force some crumbly clay to the thinnest setting, I see some tearing but I think that will happen with any machine.
I have had zero issues with my Atlas Machine. I have been using it for more than a year and I LOVE it!
Well, now I am convinced. After doing much research and taking all things into consideration, I am going to purchase an Atlas 150 Wellness – not sure which color, though. What clinched it for me is that you have a comment here from just a couple of weeks ago and you say the machine is working great and you STILL LOVE it! (I’m tight with a buck and hate making a mistake when I spend $100.) I hope if I buy a color other than gold you will still get the credit! Thank you for all you do for those of us who love to work with poly clay!
Hi Donna, yes we would get credit (as long as you use the link to the Atlas Machine up near the top of the page in the blog post) and it wouldn’t matter what color you picked. I know you will love this machine! Makes me wish I had gotten one earlier.
I received my machine today. It definitely does work a lot better than my old Amaco clunker. Aannnnd I did use your link near the top of the page in the blog post to purchase the item on August 26th from Amazon.com. From the listing for the gold one, I just selected the blue. And I bought it just in time because now, while the price went down, it is no longer a Prime item and shipping would be charged. I do believe I got a great deal!
I’m looking forward to working on new poly projects …. just as soon as I finish all the jewelry box rehab projects I started yesterday. :-)
How wonderful Donna! Blue sounds like a beautiful color! And thank you for using the link. I hope you love using your new pasta machine… and getting all your jewelry box rehab done! :)
I’ve been using mine for almost a year. It’s is the same as Cindy’s and I’ve never had a moment of trouble with it. I’ve had others and I got the nasty black streaks. Not with this one. Hope this helps.
Hey, Cindy,
Your machine must now be over a year old, looking at the date on the original blog. Have you had any issues with it in that time? I looked at the reviews on Amazon.ca, and one talks about the gears starting to skip in about 6 months, and another talks about the handle getting stuck and having to use a hammer to tap it out. They were both creating pasta. I am wondering if you have experienced anything using the machine for polymer clay. TIA.
I absolutely love my Atlas Machine… wish I had bought one years ago. If people are having problem with this machine I am surprised… though I am gentle with all my machine and never try and force hard clay through it and I keep it clean. If you treat this machine nicely it should last you for a very long time and never leave a black streak on your clay again!
I am soooooo excited. My wonderful husband just ordered me this new pasta machine today in RED. Cannot wait.
I’m getting a red one today too!
yay red! It’s such a cheerful color. If they had it in purple I would like that too.
That is so awesome Louise and Christine! Red Atlas’s will be fabulous additions to your clay spaces!
Hi Cindy, I was wondering if, after using your Atlas for over a year now, if you are having issues with scraper build up of clay.
Hi Christine, I still love my Atlas. Have had zero issues with black streaks and no clay build up so far. The gears are in great shape. No problem with the clamp or handle. It is an excellent machine!
Hi Cindy or anyone that can answer this,
I just recently purchased the red Atlas 150 Wellness machine and I was using it yesterday and the #4 setting wrinkled my clay SO BAD! I’m talking deep, crazy big wrinkles.It also did it on #3 somewhat and on #5, #6, #7 and the rest made really small spaced wrinkles, I’m so distraught over this as I have the same older model that I have used for years with never this problem. I only upgraded because of the anodized rollers and the cute red color. Should I return it or is there a fix?
Hi Louise, just like the others, I would suggest you send it back. There must be something wrong with the gears. I have had no issues with wrinkling and have been using mine for several months. It won’t get any better, so a new one is your best option. I love my machine… I hope you can get one as wonderful as mine. Red is such a lovely color too. You’ll love it when you have one that hasn’t been damaged.
Louise, I’m sorry this is happening to you. Are you starting off using a #3 setting or do you start with #1? It seems you’ve been doing this awhile and if you are starting with a #1, I would say return it. It costs too much money to have to put up with that. Wish I knew something else.
Thank you and yes, I am starting with #1. Thanks for replying. I waiting for more opinions before I do anything with it. I did notice that the heat had a small play in it but now that it’s cooler, I see it’s still doing it, but maybe not quite as bad.
That heat issue was probably because the clay was extra soft. The firmer clay pushes against the rollers so the wrinkles aren’t quite so bad, but properly aligned rollers should roll fine on firm or soft clay.
Hi Louise, it sounds like the rollers were not aligned properly when they assembled it. If this started as soon as you used it, definitely send it back.
I am looking for a Christmas gift for a friend who just started with polymer clay. I found a site with a great price on the Atlas motor and machine as one unit but it says the rollers are – “new version with cast alloy rollers” Is this the anodized aluminum rollers or something else? Any insight would be welcome.
Hi Beth, what a sweet friend you are! To be honest I have no idea, since an alloy could be just about any mix of metals. You may need to contact the company and find out.
Hi “Polymer-Clay Tutor”,
When conditioning clay fresh out of the package, I am starting at the first setting and rolling through to the last. What do I need to do to get it back to the stage for rolling a sheet on #1 for a project? Thanks in advance for your time and assistance!
I condition clay similarly: cut the clay block into thick slices, start running the slices through the pasta machine starting with the thickest down to about 3rd thinnest setting: 6 on my Atlas.
Then I fold the sheet into half and run it with the fold to the side on 5th setting. Fold that and run it at 4th setting and so on till I’m back to 1. If the clay still feels a little stiff, I fold it and run it through the thickest setting a couple of more times. Hope that makes sense!
Thanks Dixie & Krithika! Being a Newcomer to crafting with clay I sure do appreciate your help!
Shelley D, i will jump in here and tell you what I do. When I reach the thinnest setting I simple turn the knob back one setting, fold the clay and roll it through. I continue to do this until I have reached the thickest setting and my clay is back on No. 1. hope that helps you. :)
Now I have a new problem with my Atlas Wellness 150. It’s creating “air bubbles” in every sheet. No matter how much I condition it’s not getting the bubbles out. I wish I could post a photo. I have cleaned the scrapers and the roller but nothing is working. Any suggestions?
FYI :The machine has “white scrapers”
Hi Shelly it is not your pasta machine that is trapping the bubbles in your clay, it is the way you are putting the clay into the machine. Make sure that you never put the fold at the top when you put the sheet into the pasta machine. If you see bubbles that have been trapped, pop them with a blade and or pull the sheet to release the air. The rollers can’t get rid of the bubbles once they are in there. Thin sheets of soft sticky clay will trap air the easiest, so when conditioning keep the thickness at a fairly thick setting and don’t go down too thin. There is lots of info on conditioning polymer clay here on this blog. Just use the search box at the top of the page to find the info you need. Good luck!
After browsing through the blog, I discovered that the Sculpey III Translucent clay is famous for trapping air bubbles when rolling sheets. If I only knew, I spent 2 hours trying to get a smooth sheet! I know you are busy all day answering questions and creating new material so I greatly appreciate your time and assistance. Looking forward to seeing what’s next! Thanks!
Hi everyone – JUST GOT MY NEW ATLAS 150 PASTA MACHINE AND OOOOOH MY GOSH!!! What a huge huge difference. I was using a pasta machine I got at Michaels before and the handle fell out every second and the machine clicked really loudly and left marks on my clay. It was horrible. I threw it out and bought a Weston and it was worse! Ran a little smoother but from the time it came out of the box it left a LOT of black streaks all over my clay. So I decided to quit messing around and purchased the Atlas 150. I found it for $66 for the stainless steel one on Amazon. What a LUXURY. It cranks so super smoothly that you would not believe it from every gear and it’s really really quiet – not clunky like the others. I cannot believe the difference in how much nicer it is. If any of you are on the fence about a pasta machine this recommendation from Cindy is soooo worth it. You will be so glad that you bought it. It made rolling out sheets so easy whereas before it was a chore and the black streaks were making me crazy. I couldn’t make anything with white clay until I replaced the machine this last one was so bad. You will be surprised at how smooth it turns. I can’t tell you how happy I am with it so when you can make the investment – you won’t be sorry. It’s wonderful!
Sorry for the slow response Vickie, it has been a little crazy around here. How nice to see your excitement! I am glad you love your new machine so much. I couldn’t imagine going back to the other crap again either. Mine has been headache-free!
Bought the Atlas about 6 months ago. It is now slipping on settings 1,2, and 3. If the clay is super soft, roller marks are on every #. It also has a gap between the frame and roller which causes clay to fall into the gap. Not a fan. I think I’ll go back to the Makins . I think it was better value for the price. Maybe I’ll splurge and get the motor for it too.
Viv
That’s really too bad – I still love mine and I put a motor on it and wow does that make conditioning clay a lot easier to have both hands free. I wonder if you happened to get a dud. I wonder what the manufacturer’s warranty is on it – if you still have your paperwork you should check. I hope mine doesn’t prove to be the same over time.
Viv it sounds like your Atlas is broken.Which model did you get? And where did you order it from? Why don’t you try and contact the company and see if they can help you. From what I have read and seen, the results I have gotten with my Atlas is more typical of the experience you should have had.
I just requested help from the seller Cindy, I got it from the link you provided on Amazon. I’ll see if they will help.
Not happy to hear so many comments about “gear slippage.” Has anyone successfully returned the problem machine to the manufacturer for a refund or new machine?
I would like to know this too.
Sent correspondence today regarding the problems with our new machines, mentioned all problems posted here. Will advise you when I get any responses. I am hoping for a total replacement, don’t want to send it back and be without. Thanks Cindy
I had purchased my machine through Amazon and thought it was too late to return but they contacted me just now to let me know that my new replacement machine is shipping and will arrive by 4p.m tomorrow! I am surprised! No need to return the old defective machine, they have just replaced it free of charge!
WOW fantastic news Shelly!! It just goes to show you, it never hurts to ask! Let us know how your new machine fairs…
Hi Shelli! Two thumbs up for your efforts on all our behalves. I surely appreciate it.
clicked on the link you provided but the pasta machine you bought isn’t there. It doesn’t have the holes on each side and it says the handles are plastic ( you said they were metal in the video)
do you know where you can find the one you purchased?
thanks,
Lori
perhaps you could give us the model number?
ty!
Hi Lori, the holes on both sides doesn’t really matter… I didn’t realize till later that you have to use the clamp on the side that has the handle anyway, because the handle swings down below the table height. The only time you would be able to use the other side, is if you had a motor attached instead.
In regards to the handle being plastic, that may be the case on the new ones… probably a cost issue. It would be a shame if they did change that but it isn’t critical to a good sheet of clay.
In regards to model number, here is the information that is stamped on it:
Under the feet it is stamped SEP 2008.
There is a chrome emblem that says Marcato.
On the front is printed Atlas 150 Wellness.
And on the back it is stamped, MODEL 150mm – Deluxe
Made in Italy
Reg. Design No. 1048534
I don’t know if you will be able to get the identical model, since I did buy that machine over a year ago, but as long as the rollers are anodized aluminum then that should be good.
Hope that helps!
update:
So my atlas 1500 arrived yesterday. I just tested it out this morning. First, the clamp doesn’t clamp the machine down firmly – I suppose I’d have to create a platform to build up thickness for it to hold better?
My first attempt in running clay through was on a 0. It looked good! Then I tried on a one, still ok, and again on a 2. When I ran it through on a 4 then the clay started to go wonky. The ends became rippled. The left side always created lines on my clay. When I ran it through on a 7 , it created tiny bubbles, rippled the edges, and the lines. I tried new clay. Ran in through the stages, with similar results. When I got to an 8, the clay shredded on the edges. One test the clay didn’t even come down from the rollers – I had to un-latch it from the table and pull it out of the machine.
Overall impression: not worth my time, my excitement and certainly not $68! It’s already repackaged and going back to amazon!
I video taped it if anyone wants to see the results.
very sad I didn’t get the same experience that Cindy did! I was hopeful but now at a loss as to what to get now. The Sculpty?
happy creations,
Lori
Hi Lori… if you posted your video to YouTube, send me the link and I will embed it here in this thread so that Cindy and others can have a look… and hopefully provide you with some feedback.
the video will be very shotty at best as I took it with my iPhone in one hand and turned the crank with the other. I’ll take a look to see how it was. May be easier if I just emailed the vids to you.
I had the same problem. It’s because of the rubber scrapers and can be fixed, but it will cost more money and downtime. I don’t know why Cindy has had no problem with her rubber scrapers but I have heard this same complaint from many others. Mona Kissel, do a search, can modify the scrapers so they are metal again PLUS can be taken off with a little screw. I LOVE my machine now with the anodized rollers and the removable scrapers. It takes 30 seconds to clean the scrapers between colors and never again do I get a color contamination nor black streaks on clay.
Update on my clay machine quest.
So, I’ve read other site’s reviews and it was suggested that the next best in line was the sculptey w/new steel rollers. I took it to a clay date get together and tested it out. Not good at all! WE tried 3 different types of clay and they rippled on the edges and had roller lines across the clay. The lady hosting said let’s see if it’s your clay, so we tried my clay on her Makins. Wala – no ripples, roller lines or tears! I continued to use her machine to roll out several colors of clay to start a mokume gane cane. It worked out nicely.
I purchased the Makin’s ultimate clay machine ($29 at Hobby Lobby after my 40% off coupon) and I ordered another atlas 1500 but in red (on amazon for $69) . I will compare the two and then make my decision. (I’m hoping it’s the red one!)
Tomorrow’s the test day :)
~Lori
Lori M., I have the red one and it has never given me a moment’s trouble. I was lucky. I had it sitting in my pantry for a couple of years and had never been used. I just bought motor for it. I tested it but haven’t really used it yet, but it is going to be sweet when I do.
here’s a quick vid of the results between the Atlas and the Makins. Wish I knew why the Atlas is working so horrible. Please advise or I’ll have to send it back. I want the Atlas to work because it is all metal, it’s my favorite color (burnt orange although they call it red)
help!
~Lori
Hi Lori, how many settings does the Makins have? If it has fewer setting than the Atlas that could account for the difference in the smoothness of the sheets. BTW those lines on your Atlas are pretty minor and can easily be pulled out with a tug on your clay.
Hi Cindy, Makins has 9 however they are backward to the atlas as to which number is thickest.
Yes, the lines are pretty faint if I only use the setting 0-3. As soon as I go to a four I’m making ruffles potato chips!
Any ideas?
Can’t even do a 7, it shreds the clay. Here’s a vid of that
Thanks for your time and help! It’s greatly appreciated!!
best,
Lori
Here’s another one with different clay. Anyone fancy a chip with ridges?
Hi again Lori, I don’t think there is anything wrong with your Atlas. You are supposed to start at the thickest setting and then go down only one or two settings at a time until you get to the thinner settings. If you try and jam a super thick piece through (even if it is soft), all the rollers can do is try and pull some clay off the block and give you a wrinkled piece. Flatten that piece out first with your fingers so that it is no thicker than a piece of corrugated cardboard and then try it again… starting at 1 and then 2,3,4 and lastly 5 and see if that makes a difference. Let me know how it goes…
Thanks Cindy -great reminder about starting off always at the thickest setting! I did insert a new vid of the machine shredding the clay at 6 setting and the clay gets completely stuck in it at a 7 setting under your first response to me.
Again if you have any ideas or suggestions as to why I can’t go above a 4, I’m all ears and would be ever so grateful! I love the machine otherwise.
I’m even asking myself if I will ever need to go “that” thin…. but, I should be able to, right?!
my best,
Lori
That is really weird Lori, I don’t understand why it is getting stuck, unless it is getting caught in the scrapers or something. That has never happened to me before. Did you start at a thick setting and go down? Seems very strange that it would work on the thicker settings and not the thin ones unless you’re forcing the clay through the rollers and the gears are slipping or something. The only thing I can suggest is that you try and return it. I am stymied… since I have never heard of these kinds of issues with an Atlas.
RMA Creations posted on youtube.
I don’t know how many people have bought the Atlas 150 machine. But…..an (f.y.i) I bought mine from amazon right after you did your review on it I think a year ago….on the bead blog..the gears are awesome and I could use it for all the settings. Now just a week ago I had to take mine apart to clean it because of normal gunk which is normal I know. But….there is a hard plastic thick disk that holds the round setting thing for 1 through 9. That plastic disk has worn off on half of the side so that the heavy pin holding the steel roller into the slot on the opposite side will no longer hold the roller in place. So even on setting 1 the clay when warmed will not roll through before that hard pin will jump out and will not roll any farther. I am emailing the company today because I am really upset to pay over $100.00 on the atlas because of the steel construction and they put plastic to hold it together? I have pictures to show but didn’t want to get into trouble before I hear back from them about this problem. To this date I have taken it apart and tried to put it back together expecting what I don’t know lol…but I make dolls and need flesh colored mixes to do them and i can’t roll mixes like that out by hand. I suspect they will just tell me that I’m not using it for the correct material.
I don’t know that taking these machines apart is a very good idea. Not sure if this design will go back together properly like the old designs did. It is interesting to hear that there were plastic pieces inside though. That surprises me. Let us know what the company says about this. Good luck!
I forgot to say that I mix my clay in a dedicated food processor before I try to roll it through the machine. I don’t know if this is what caused it because I do use a lot of clay. But I thought jeez…why would they put all that construction into a machine with steel rollers then put a silly Plastic disc to hold it together?
was attempting the labdoraite tutorial. I found it hard to dry the inks till not sticky. Prob too much. But towards the end. putting the thin translucent grey blend I could not get the clay thin enough so I really had to sand it quite a bit to have the effect come through. So in testing my pasta machine my 8-9 setting was not working well. so on my amazon gift card from my brother I got the machine mercato wellness atlas machine. and so excited to get it Saturday. I love the effect of the labdorite and want to try it again. It has a nice subtle look to it. so of course I watched Cindy’s unboxing….. I hope my new machine will have the new settings now that the 1 is the thinnest 1 playing card like cindys. I hope the machine color does not make a difference. …. ,,,, so excited for the new site. amazed that you respond to all of our posts. thanks for being a chapter in my life and a place to go to when I need company and talk about the stuff I like to talk about. Water color painting class with Stan Miller is starting in two weeks so will focus more on painting. if you get a chance to look at his site. . any way getting off course. Thanks again Cindy. love hearing yoru progress. and your family. cannot wait to see your new studio.
Patty,
I have one of these machines, too, and i love it! Good luck with yours, I hope it is all that you want it to be.
What really urged me to write, however, is that i googled Stan Miller and, WOW! what amazing, beautiful work. I am much impressed. So have fun with that class and i hope you learn lots. I am not a painter, but i might look at his YouTube vids and give it a go!
Fran
Hi Fran. Was going to move away from my computer and move. But then I saw email waiting and it was posting from Cindyls comment. Where do you live. Im in Spokane Wa. I so wish we had a group here. and with all these empty buildintgs would be perfect for a workshop etc for clayers. sigh. its fun making friends via my claying and via my American Eskimo Dog Rescue. keep in touch. if you want to exchange emails that is fun. Gonna get off this site now. boy the hours pass huh. dim on facebook .. Patty
Ha! I am in New Hampshire, I would love to get together, but it’s not gonna work… If I ever get out to Seattle to visit my sister, we could meet.
It looks like you and Peg could get together, tho. It sounds like a wonderful idea to use one of those old buildings in Spokane for a clayers’ space. I don’t know what your situation is, but maybe you could start a group or guild.
I would love to keep in touch via email, but i don’t know how we do that here. Do we ask Cindy for email addresses? don’t know the etiquette…. (i am also an Eskimo dog / husky / malamute lover… small world department).
Fran
Hi Fran. I am in Spokane and have been looking for someone to clay with. I’ve found a couple of gals, but haven’t managed to meet up, yet. I’m still working on my craft space, trying to fit everything into 1 room and since I share it with my daughter and her sewing stuff, it’s hard. But I’m almost there. Think we can get together sometime? I’d love to meet you.
Peg c I’m in spokane csn we get together face book. Patty jorgenson
Hi, Peg.
Like i just told Patty, I am clear across on the other side of the country, otherwise I would love to get together, too. Gets lonely in these here hills… Seriously, I would love to find someone to clay with, too. Maybe with Cindy’s new website there will be space to discuss stuff like this. Let’s see if we can get email addresses via Cindy and I can keep up with your and Patty’s progress in getting together!
Fran
Ok I’m going to rudely butt into the conversation here, Peg, I live in Redmond, coupla hours away from Spokane. I’d love to have a clay meetup of sorts! I haven’t made it to the local guild meeting yet since they always have those on weekdays. But it’d be great to meet another PcT clayer!
I am also going rudely butt into the conversation LOL I dont live anywhere near Spokane.. But I second that emotion about hoping that the new site will have a forum or board so that we can discuss between each other things like this.
phpBB is free and open source bulletin board software that integrates easily into almost all website builds including wordpress, css, cake, woo commerce, etc. AND it can be used for a small group or large multi category boards/groups. I hope Cindy and Doug do consider using something like it :)
The comments sections are great for talking about each of the articles, videos, and projects that each comments section relate to, but it would be great to have somewhere to go to talk to all you ladies and gents about the things that are unrelated to those specific articles, videos, or projects. (Or like this, a place to drop a line and give a suggestion or feedback.)
Sorry for rambling. I am just excited because I love this community.
~Chelsea
Fran, you can find me on Facebook. I’d love to keep in touch. I’m Peg Carter.
took me a while to get back in touch, Peg, I’m sorry. I’m always forgetting which page I had made a comment on so sometimes getting back to it is kind of iffy, but 5 months is just plain rude! When we get a members’ area on the new website it will be easier. I don’t really like Facebook, so I don’t have an account there. Have you and Patty gotten together? I am thinking I will go to my local guild meeting and connect with some clayers that way … maybe I can rub elbows with Kathleen Dustin (ha ha)
Fran
Woo Hoo! I finally replaced my 3? year old cheap pasta machine which was purchased from my nearest Michaels craft store, with a (drum roll, please!!) Mercato Atlas 150 Wellness machine! It is the chrome coloured model, because I found that, here in Canada, Lee Valley carries them.
The old machine was clunking and whining and periodically just … stopping. I had cleaned it and done everything I could to baby it along, but it had turned sulky. I am going to take it apart and find uses for the bars, etc.
I had been longing for one of the pretty colours through Amazon, but we have had a bad year financially (my husband works in Alberta’s oil patch – well, I guess it would be more accurate to say worked, because Alberta has lost about 25,000 jobs in the patch since last March and his was one of them). What with the exchange rate between US and Canadian dollars, and shipping, getting one of the coloured ones from Amazon.com just wasn’t going to happen. So when I found the chrome model available at Lee Valley, which I could pick up in my nearest city when I was there, and not pay for shipping, AND not pay the exchange rate, I was over the moon! Even if it was my Christmas present from my husband to me, and I had to buy it because he never got there. :) That’s okay, because they had a Bessey 2.5 inch vacuum vise for sale, so he ended up buying me that as well!
So my Silver Streak Sam is installed in my studio. Now to find time to get back in there so I can play with Sam …
I love it that your pasta machine has a name Doreen! I suppose mine could be called Goldie if I choose to go the naming route for my machine. :)
Sorry to hear about your husband’s job. Some jobs are very vulnerable to the changing economy and it sad that it has effected you.
We live very close to the border, so many people here will pop down over the line and purchase things cheaper in the States. But now with the dollar being so low, it isn’t always cheaper anymore. Especially when you factor in shipping or travel and all that, like you mentioned. You can sure tell the difference when you walk around our stores here… the Costco is always packed here now that no one is crossing the border. The food has gone up here, but not enough to make the trek South worth it so they stay home.
Another boom here in BC is the film industry… shows and movies flock to film here when the American Dollar is higher than the Canadian Dollar. So the dollar change is great for some people and terrible for others.
It’s funny how much impact a few numbers can have on the economy and how it effects others lives. I hope that things bounce back for you guys soon.
In the meantime, do enjoy Silver Streak (or should I say no streak) Sam… he should make your claying time much more pleasurable!! :)
Good news about the PM, Doreen but not so good about the work situation. I hope things change for the better. You won’t regret having the Atlas. I have the chrome one and it hasn’t missed a beat in 4 years. Worth every penny :-)
PS Please say G’day to Sam from me :-)
Hi Cindy!
I wanted to echo the comments from Louise a while back. I too ordered the Atlas wellness 150 in copper. Upon using it with the advice posted, I too got immediate ripples from setting 2 on. I tried it with both the hand crank and the additional motor attachment with the same results. I got the same results in both cases. I immediately returned it and my replacement arrived today.
The first one came in a box that looked a little “weary”.
The replacement came in brand new packaging with the clear window on the upper left and curving around to the left side corner, looking a bit more “modern”.
Although I am out of time to try it this morning, (sorry), I have a feeling that may be a clue to your readers.
Sorry I can’t include a picture. More to come later on…
-Marilyn
I am curious to find out how this new machine fairs Marilyn. It is wonderful when you have equipment that works well, and frustrating when it does not. I hope the new one is better for you.
Fran… I did meet up with Patty and with Karon C. We have started a group in Spokane, and meet once a month. We have about 10 members. Karon, Patty and I meet almost every Sun and some days we get a lot done and some days we just talk. They are wonderful women and I am so glad we met.
I enjoy Peg and Karon so much and also Leona and Linda and the other young gal. thank you Cindy for being a connecting common way to meet the nicest people ever. Its such a blessing and we are very excited about your site project and understand. You do have the best tutorials ever.
I was wondering if anyone has used the noodle attachments for the clay and how it has worked out for them?
I have and it works fine… though you need to use firm clay or it gets all curled up in the cutters.
Cindy,
About 3 months ago I purchased an Atlas 150 Wellness pasta machine because it is recommended by Lindly Haunani and Maggie Maggio in their book, Polymer Clay Color Inspirations. I am just now getting around to using it, and it is totally useless for polymer clay! Running clay through the rollers leaves ripples in the clay that look and feel like corrugated cardboard. This is not the ripples that you can sometimes get when rolling clay very thin; these are deep ridges like a ruffled potato chip. Upon investigating the underside of the machine, I discovered that there are long plastic rippled pieces attached to the metal opposite the rollers. Does your Atlas 150 have this? Have you ever heard of this before? What would you suggest? My clay looks nothing like your clay when you use your Atlas 150. I am so frustrated that I spent so much money for a pasta machine I can’t use for my clay!
Thanks for whatever help you can give.
It sounds like your machine has faulty scrapers. I do have plastic (nylon) scrapers but they are straight and smooth… not rippled at all. You should get it exchanged. Good luck and let us know how it goes.
I found that Amazon had the stainless steel one on sale for $55 last week and ordered it, LOVE it! no black streaks on my clay now! just checked the price on that version and it’s up to $69 now but if you can live w/o the pretty colors you can get a great machine and save a few $ for other toys uh i mean tools… :)
That is awesome news Dee! No matter the color I am sure you will love having your new Atlas!
Hi everyone!
I have the Atlas, had it for a year now. Have any of you had the handle get stuck in place? My Sculpey machine had a handle that would fall out if you looked at it funny, so I was thrilled the Atlas handle stayed in place. I usually remove it at the end of each clay session so as not to impale myself later, but I got lazy and didn’t for a few sessions. Not the handle appears to have been welded on, I can’t remove it for anything!!???? Has anyone else experienced this?
That’s crazy DeShawn! I have never heard of that happening. Perhaps if you gave it a tap with a hammer it would jostle it loose?
Shawn,
When my handle stuck it seemed to be due to clay when my sheet of clay got too wide. I heated it with a heat gun and in a few seconds it released. I now have a motor and couldn’t live without it.
Hmmm that’s weird too. Are you saying it is clay stuck behind the scrapers that are causing your handle to get stck? Is it that the rollers won’t turn? Or that the handle won’t pull out?
Hi DeShawn,
The handle on my atlas Has also decided to remain fast in place just can’t get it to pull out but have to be grateful it still turns.
Re: stuck handle
My husband took a look at it, and he seems to think the metal wore down just enough inside the handle part to allow it to jam up. He’s tried to loosen it with force and tools, but no good. Annoying. I didn’t want it to be destroyed, so now it’s just stuck. At least it’s stuck in a way that I can still use it!
Hi. Thank you for all the great info you provide. The link you provide for the atlas says it is stainless steel. How do we know if the rollers are aluminum? The description of the machine does not say aluminum anywhere. Thanks!
If it doesn’t say than it might not have the right rollers. Here is a new link to a copper colored Atlas Wellness machine that has the Anodized Aluminum Rollers for sure.
Dear Cindy,
I recently purchased an Atlas 150 Wellness. It seems to have a problem with the rollers being out of alignment because I cannot roll clay thinner than number 4 without the clay getting torn and all wrinkled. Do you know of a way to align the rollers? I would appreciate any advice you can give if you are able. It has been too long to return it so I may have simply wasted a lot of money ( on a very low fixed income ) and I cannot afford to replace the machine.
Thank you for your time and all the fantastic tutorials you make. I appreciate you very much!
Many Blessings,
Donna
Hi Donna, I would contact the company anyway. They would have the best idea on how to handle the issue. Even if it is past the return date, it should be able to handle more use than you have gotten out of it. Let me know how it turns out.
Hi Cindy,
I am using right now a Makins Pasta machine that seem to decide quite often to make ripples, doesn’t matter the setting…
One minute it works fine, and then all of the sudden it starts to make ripples. Sometimes only on a portion of the sheet, other times across the whole width.
I can’t figure out why, so any ideas would be welcomed.
Anyhow, I am getting pretty tired of it, and was thinking to replace it.
I was wondering if you are still using this Atlas 150 Wellness pasta machine now, and or, if you found another one in the meantime that might be even better.
Thanks,
Lucia
Hi Lucia, I am not positive on what is happening there with your machine… maybe the scrapers are loose or something, but not sure.
I am currently using a Lucy Clay Mammoth machine but it is quite a bit more expensive than the Atlas. LC Mammoth $500+ and the Atlas $90+ I still love my Atlas 150 Wellness machine though and I highly recommend it. Here is our Amazon link if you would like to buy one for yourself.
Hi Cindy,
Thank you for your answer!
I will try to take the machine apart and see if I can figure out what is going on.
Thank you for the Amazon link!
I did have a look to both the Mammoth and the Atlas machines.
The Mammoth is wonderful, but indeed expensive, especially if you are just a “free time” clayer like me :)
One thing I observed on the models of Atlas available now on Amazon is that only the pink color one seems to have fixing holes on both sides, and that is a useful feature.
I also couldn’t see in their description if the rollers are anodized aluminum or stainless steel.
I’ll try to see if I can contact them with those questions, and if I find the right one, I’ll get it.
Again, thanks a lot for your answr and help!
Lucia
Hello PCT. I have been using one of those cheap China cloned pasta machines for a short time and now the scraper blades have broken off into little pieces. They are made of a type of hard nylon plastic. I use baby oil to soften the clay and it looks like the oil has attacked the plastic blades and made them brittle. There was oil residue between the blade and the metal holding plate. I now need a new machine and I saw your video of the gold Atlas machine you bought. I had to dismantle the whole machine to get to the scraper blades. Can you tell me, are the scraper blades removable for cleaning and are they made of a stronger plastic. Thanx
Hi Ronnie, The scraper blades in my Atlas are nylon as well and have held up pretty good over the years… no complaints from me. But I don’t usually use a ton of oil in my clay so that may make a difference. (Too bad the pasta companies haven’t catered more to the clay market. They are probably selling way more machines for polymer clay than they have ever sold for noodles!) Anyway, if you have the money for an excellent machine, then the Lucy Clay Mammoth or Squirrel is a wonderful way to go! Just do a search at the top of the page for the Lucy Clay Machine and you will see a video on it. Other than that, I would buy an Atlas and use it until it breaks. Hopefully that will last for a few years and then you can decide if you want a Lucy Clay Machine. Good luck!
Do you still love the Marcato Atlas Pasta machine or do you recommend another?
Yes I still love my Atlas! I also have a Lucy Clay Squirrel which I love even more but it is about 5x more expensive than the Atlas so if that iis not in your budget, I would go with the Atlas.
Yes I still love my Atlas! I also have a Lucy Clay Squirrel which I love even more but it is about 5x more expensive than the Atlas so if that is not in your budget, I would go with the Atlas.
I just received my Atlas 150 Wellness with motor today from Amazon. My settings are 0 thru 9. When I get to #3 it starts leaving roller lines, 4 thru 9 leaves tight roller lines in the middle and the sides look like ruffles. Please help. I’ve only been claying for about 2 months and have fell in love with it. Also I was told that on this model the roller guard plates could be removed for easier cleaning but I don’t have a clue how to remove them. Can you tell me how to remove them. The instruction booklet isn’t any help. Thank you for any help you can give me. Cathy.
Hi Cathy, first of all, don’t try and remove the fins, they have been redesigned and may not go back together again… also the warranty is void if you take it apart. As far as the bad rippling, that only happens if the gears are meshing together well, if the clay is crazy soft or if you skip a bunch of settings and try to go from a thick piece to a thin piece too quickly. Try again with a firmer clay and then only go down one step at a time and see if it still happens. If it is still rippling, try sending it back for another model. Good luck!
Hi Cindy, I just came across your video regarding the Atlas 150 pasta machine unboxing today. I’d like to know what brand and colour of clay that you used in the video? I’m looking for clay like that which has like a satin effect, especially when you blended them out in thin settings, thank you! Hope to hear from you soon!
Hi Felicia, although I didn’t mention the name of the brand or the color in the video, from what it looks like, I believe that to be Premo Pearl (and a VERY fresh block at that!) Hope that helps!
Cindy,
I’m new to using polymer clay with a pasta machine (have done other projects rolling beads, or using silicone molds). I just bought the Atlas Wellness 180 machine (thicknesses range from 0 – 9 , with 9 being the thinnest), and watched your very useful video on ripples and comparison to the Sculpey machine. I’ve found that after reducing the sheet from a thickness of 0 to about 4, I can get rid of ripples as you demonstrate. Beyond that, when I go to thinner settings, the ripples become worse, like those on the Sculpey machine in your video, and stretching the clay doesn’t help. Also, aside from the horizontal ripples, there are lines running lengthwise through the clay, which makes me wonder whether this machine has defects in the rollers that create scratches. I have photos, but there doesn’t seem to be a way to attach them. Does it sound to you as though the machine is defective, especially with the scratches? (I followed the instructions about cleaning before the first use.). I need an answer fairly soon, as I have a window during which I can return this to Amazon and ask for a replacement. Thank you!
If the rippling and scratching is as bad as you say, it does sound like it is defective. I would see about getting it replaced.
Your videos have been wonderful… I am 70 and have a son who lives at home who is 47 with some developmental challenges. He has the most tender heart and want to work with polymer clay and make awareness ribbon necklaces to give to folks who have suffered the loss of someone with cancer. My husband and I are really thrilled at this interest of his where we can all enjoy something creative together.
My question is this: You have had your gold Marcato Atlas Wellness 150 machine for several years now. How is it holding up? and have you ever used a motor with it? We would like to get started with this for some Christmas gifts…could you let me know your thoughts as to what would be best for us?
Thank you so much! Wendy, Randy and Jon
Hi Wendy and family! The Gold Atlas has held up very well, but if you have the budget for it, an even better option is a modified Atlas by Ed Street and Mona Kissel. It is called a Monified Street Machine and what it is, is an Atlas that has been modified so that you can remove the scrapers to clean it, has an acrylic base that makes it sturdier and see-through for easier cleaning, and has been powder coated in pretty colors so it is not only tough it is beautiful. They are a little bit more expensive around $160 but it probably would be the last machine you would need to buy, if you treated it well. I don’t use a motor, but tons of others do with it. It would make a wonderful Christmas gift!
Whats that you have on your Atlas pasta-maker handle?
Hi Dave, I am not totally sure what you are referring to since the Atlas Wellness 150 (gold machine) is just out of the box and I didn’t put anything on the handle. If you are talking about the red foam on the handle of the silver machine (Sculpey Clay Conditioning Machine), that was just a craft foam handle cover that came with my Sculpey machine. Just so you know, it wasn’t much of a benefit, since there isn’t much strain on your fingers as you turn a pasta machine, so a cushion isn’t really necessary. The only benefit was that it won’t hurt your foot quite as bad when the handle falls out of the machine!! LOL (Unless you follow my advice and stick a piece of rubber glove on the end of your handle before shoving back into your machine, to keep the handle from constantly falling out, that is!)
Cindy, I’m new to Polymer Clay and one thing I’m trying to understand, is the thinness and thickness for clay projects when using a pasta machine. Is there a rule of thumb for different settings for different clay uses? Should clay be set at a different setting for a bead versus pieces to cover a glass vase? Or different thickness for making a bowl? I love your videos and think you are such an asset to your viewers. And I share your feelings about the times we’re living in…”if we could only ALL get along!” Hmmm, isn’t there a song about that? Thank you so much
Hi Elizabeth, in regards to clay thicknesses, there aren’t too many rules except you can’t go too thick. Anything thicker than a 1/2 inch and you will have to use an armature inside or bake in layers.
Assuming you’re using a quality brand of clay and are baking it at the right temperature for the brand, you can make pieces as thin as paper up to 1/2 inch thick. It really depends on the look you want.
Also keep in mind, thin pieces tend to be very flexible so a paper thin bowl will probably be too floppy, especially if the sides of the bowl are quite tall.
It is never a bad idea to make a prototype of your design with scrap clay first so you can get an idea of how your particular project will perform after baking. You can always layer raw clay over baked clay with a little liquid clay in between to make your piece thicker, if it is too thin.
Hope that helps!
Good morning Cindy,
Thank you so much for your explanation and timely response. I can’t tell you how helpful your videos are, and your sponsors, assuming you have them, are very lucky to have you. You’re explanations are great with the who, what, when and how’s to better understanding a concept. I do best when I know “why!” No, I’m not 7 years old. ? – Add 60!
Thanks from Georgia,
Elizabeth Carrera
Elizabeth, welcome to the wonderful world of polymer clay!
You have found a treasure trove of information here on Polymer Clay Tutor. Cindy is super helpful in answering our questions and what she doesn’t know is probably not worth worrying about ?
I hope you will fall in love with the medium as so many of us have. It can be addicting – be warned!
Cheers,
Chrissie
An Aussie in southern CA
Thank you for the sweet words Chrissie! Hope you are doing well during these crazy times! <3
You’re more than welcome, Cindy :-) It comes from the heart.
These times are extraordinary, aren’t they? I’m doing well, in good health and, in truth, I don’t mind staying home as we don’t go out all that much anyway! I miss the clay guild meetings but we’ve been using Zoom so we can at least see one another remotely. One member even did a demo! I wore a mask (briefly!) to the last meeting – anything to make them smile :-)
How are you and Doug doing? Are you on a similar routine, northern neighbour? Masks for going outdoors? Only a few allowed in the grocery store at a time? We decided to order groceries online. Cannot fault Amazon Fresh for value and quality and good service.
Be safe and well, my friend.
Extraordinary is one word for it! It is times like these that make us rethink our priorities… cherish our families and friends… and open our eyes to the changes we need to make. So for those reasons, good can come out of it, depending on the decisions we make going forward.
In regards to how we’re fairing up North here in Canada… I think we’ve done the best we could have in a bad situation. Our Elder Care Homes have taken the brunt of the losses. Which is heartbreaking. There are many changes to the systems there that will have to be made, to protect our Elders moving forward. And who knows how it will effect our economy moving forward?
But our country has flattened the curve fairly well and many areas, like our beautiful British Columbia are seeing such low numbers (we have had only 174 deaths total in BC and several days with no deaths at all in the recent weeks) that we are safely and cautiously moving into stage 3.
Which means that although our borders are still closed (federal and provincial), we can go back to work, travel within our province, shop in stores (with distancing and masks) and schools were briefly opened to finish off the school year. Large gatherings are still limited to 50 (with social distancing) so things are still not anywhere near normal and probably won’t be until there is a vaccine.
At least we are not all living in fear to the level we were a couple months back, but we are still very nervous of losing ground like what we are seeing is happening in the States. I am very worried about family who live in the US and for all our lovely friends like you, who are trapped in the middle of it.
All my love to you and those who are important to you. Stay safe! <3
Re-evaluating our lives on this global scale is unprecedented as far as I know. Certainly as individuals we can reach it when threatened by serious illness and nationally when our countries are at war, for example but this global threat is affecting more people than I can imagine. As you say, good can come out of it.
The state of elder care needs to be seriously examined. ‘Nuff said in this forum as I might offend anyone else reading it.
Cautious progress is preferable to no progress and living in fearful isolation. It’s welcome news about the situation in BC. I am not sure of the true facts about CA. Stats can be misleading.
Good news that folks can go back to work! We’ve been able to go to the grocery store but we have avoided doing so as much as possible. Not through fear; rather more the hassle of wearing masks and all the sanitisation of carts etc. and having to queue before we can even get IN the store. I’m too old for that! Amazon Fresh is our new best friend :-)
I can understand your concern for your family who live in the US. I truly hope they are well and will stay that way. My family Down Under are all well for which I am grateful.
Love to you and yours ??
PS We will prevail even though it may not seem like it some days!
Hi Cindy,
What an amazing job you have done on youtube and on this website.
I’m new to polymer clay and I want to learn how to make polymer clay at home DIY.
I’ve looked into few articles but seems like everyone has their own recipe. So can you please share any articles/reference video where I can learn about it.
Thanks in Adavance
Dan
Hi Dan, thank you for the kind words! As far as recipes for DIY Polymer Clay, I don’t have any because I have never made it. There are so many excellent brands that I have never felt the need to make a homemade product. There are store bought brands that I don’t even think are high enough quality to work with, so I feel I doubt very much my own clay would fair any better. I’d rather work with a product I can count on. That being said, there may be a perfectly excellent clay you can make on your own. I just haven’t experimented with making them myself. If you end up finding one, do let me know… You aren’t the first person to have asked me that question!