Pasta machines
jane@idirect.com@idirect.com
Maureen Carlson(sp?) recommends one if you don't like rolling
sheets of clay. I'm tempted to buy one ... hate rolling large flat sheets ...
however the mixing bin looks as if you need to put quite a bit of clay in
and am not sure if all of it would be extruded (I've been eyeing the
K-Tel Pasta Chef).
If anyone has tried it or any other pasta machine I'd appreciate hearing
your comments.
Thanks
---------------------------------------------------------
ja...@idirect.com This world is very odd we see
We do not comprehend it;
But in one fact we all agree,
God won't, and we can't mend it.
Arthur Hugh Clough
Desiree McCrorey
ja...@idirect.com@idirect.com wrote:
> Hi ... Have any of you tried a pasta machine for mixing FIMO?
> Maureen Carlson(sp?) recommends one if you don't like rolling
> sheets of clay. I'm tempted to buy one ... hate rolling large flat sheets ...
> however the mixing bin looks as if you need to put quite a bit of clay in
> and am not sure if all of it would be extruded (I've been eyeing the
> K-Tel Pasta Chef).
I guess manufacturers need to be a little more specific about naming
appliances. When polyclay folks speak of pasta machines, usually we mean
the pasta sheet rollers, not ones that do, say, tubular extrusions. Most
PCs are too stiff for anything but industrial strength extruders of that
ilk. And I think there is only one company that makes/sells the roller
type (and I don't think it's K-Tel). They're bright shiny chrome plated
manual devices with crank handles.
However, those pasta sheet rollers are simply fabulous for making clay
sheets of even thickness and mixing colors. One must prep (condition)
their clay before using the machine to crank out sheets. Otherwise, the
clay crumbles out. I highly recommend getting and using one. If you luck
out, you can find one at a garage sale or flea market for a couple of
bucks
--
Desiree
Jaynemarie Lentlie
: Hi ... Have any of you tried a pasta machine for mixing FIMO?
: Maureen Carlson(sp?) recommends one if you don't like rolling
: sheets of clay. I'm tempted to buy one ... hate rolling large flat sheets ...
: however the mixing bin looks as if you need to put quite a bit of clay in
: and am not sure if all of it would be extruded (I've been eyeing the
: K-Tel Pasta Chef).
: If anyone has tried it or any other pasta machine I'd appreciate hearing
: your comments.
: Thanks
:
Jaynemarie Lentlie
: Hi ... Have any of you tried a pasta machine for mixing FIMO?
: Maureen Carlson(sp?) recommends one if you don't like rolling
: sheets of clay. I'm tempted to buy one ... hate rolling large flat sheets ...
: however the mixing bin looks as if you need to put quite a bit of clay in
: and am not sure if all of it would be extruded (I've been eyeing the
: K-Tel Pasta Chef).
: If anyone has tried it or any other pasta machine I'd appreciate hearing
: your comments.
: Thanks
My last follow-up didn't post properly - sorry.
I think that you're looking at too much machine. All you need is a
manual pasta machine - you just feed a glob of clay in between two
rollers & crank it through by turning a handle. So, there's no waste.
Also, they cost about $30.
Hope this helps!
Jaynemarie
Sherry Bailey
stand up to the strain of something ad firm as poly clay.
Many of us DO use pasta machines, but the one we use is by Atlas, and it's a
hand cranked stainless steel item which can be found in kitchen and specialty
stores for prices ranging from a low of about $25 to as much as $55. (You
can't use it for cooking, so getting the extra attachments for ravioli etc. is
a waste of money, in my opinion. A few people use the included cutter
attachment (fettucini I think) for cutting strips, but it clogged when *I*
tried...)
For mixing Fimo, you first condition it by cutting it up by hand, then using a
food processor (dedicated to clay ONLY) if you want or else by hand, then when
it's warmed and softened enough, you run it through the pasta machine a few
times to really blend it. Step-by-step instructions with photos are in the
new issue of Ornament in an interview/article with our own Steven Ford of City
Zen Cane!
Sherry
MollieO
: Hi ... Have any of you tried a pasta machine for mixing FIMO?
: Maureen Carlson(sp?) recommends one if you don't like rolling
: and am not sure if all of it would be extruded (I've been eyeing the
: K-Tel Pasta Chef).
: If anyone has tried it or any other pasta machine I'd appreciate hearing
: your comments.
y husband gave me a pasta machine, and it works WONDERFULLY for mixing
Fimo and other clays. Just put the clay through over and over and over
again, squishing it in your hands inbetween rolls, and it mixes like a
dream!
I figure when the edges of the clay are no longer jaggedy, but emerge
smooth and velvety, that it's mixed and conditioned.
Mollie O'Dell
jane@idirect.com@idirect.com
>appliances. When polyclay folks speak of pasta machines, usually we mean
>the pasta sheet rollers, not ones that do, say, tubular extrusions. Most
>PCs are too stiff for anything but industrial strength extruders of that
>ilk. And I think there is only one company that makes/sells the roller
>type (and I don't think it's K-Tel). They're bright shiny chrome plated
>manual devices with crank handles.
Thanks Desiree. I haven't seen any machines like the one you've described
but I'll definitely(sp?) keep my eyes peeled.
Out of curiousity, do you use FIMO for jewellery or figures?
Thanks again!
Deb Jensen / Tom Greene
ja...@idirect.com@idirect.com wrote:
>Hi ... Have any of you tried a pasta machine for mixing FIMO?
>Maureen Carlson(sp?) recommends one if you don't like rolling
>and am not sure if all of it would be extruded (I've been eyeing the
>K-Tel Pasta Chef).
>
>If anyone has tried it or any other pasta machine I'd appreciate hearing
>your comments.
Nah nah nah. Get a REAL machine. I use a Marcato ATLAS. There is no
mixing bin - some primary conditioning still needs to be done by hand,
preferably with help from a fimo-only food processor. Then as you pass sheets
through the pasta machine, you fold and crank, fold and crank, until it
is mixed satisfactorily. They're only about $35-40, and really
indispensible i think. No other way to get PERFECT sheets.
Aloha,
deb
Dorothy Mcmillan
thickness of sheets of clay. You don't need or want one of the electric
ones.
In addition to the pasta machine, polymer workers really need a
mini-food processer. These dandy things will take the clay and turn it
into tiny little balls. You can warm the clay this way also. Reach
into the processer and press these little warm balls of clay together and
take out. Press firmly and shape into a loaf. Now, slice off a thin
piece (with a tissue blade, preferable.) Run this piece through the
pasta maker on the #1 setting, fold and run through again. Now make a
second slice and do the same. Put the two together and run them through.
Slice off another piece, and repeat, adding each new piece to the
growing piece. When you've used all the clay and have just one large
piece, run it through four or five times more. Now, your clay is not
only well conditioned, but also smoothed into an even sheet. If you
don't want a sheet, fold and roll the clay into a ball or whatever shape
you need, being extremely careful not to leave air pockets.
This is the fast, effective way to condition ALL polymer clays. If
the clay isn't conditioned well, the end product may crack, crumble or
break. Maybe not right away, but down the line.
Dotty in CA
>-
DOROTHY MCMILLAN VBC...@prodigy.com
Frances Carr
Jane Griscti
My first attempts at rolling sheets produced crumbling edges, probably
because I didn't condition the clay properly. I've been using a mini-
processor as Dotty suggested but then I've been kneading the clay
with my hands. Good to hear I can use the pasta machine to condition
it, my fingers could use the break <g>.
--------------------------------------------------------
Jane Life comes with the package,
Living is optional.
Dorothy Mcmillan
Dorothy Mcmillan
>
>Thanks for the replies. I did manage to find a hand-crank Marcaato.
>processor as Dotty suggested but then I've been kneading the clay
>with my hands. Good to hear I can use the pasta machine to condition
>it, my fingers could use the break <g>.
Hi Jane; It's natural for the edges of a sheet that's run through the
pasta maker to be rough. Very soft clay won't do it much, while harder
clay will be much worse. (read the article in the new Ornament Magazine
by City Zen Cane--even they have to content with this)
On thing to do is to fold the clay with one of the rough edges
against the smooth side. In other words, don't fold it exactly in half.
This sometimes will help to smooth out the edge. You can turn it and do
the other side. But don't fret about it too much. If, after a lot of
conditioning, you still get the crumbly edges, just take the blade and
cut them off before you use the sheet as a wrap or whatever.
Dotty in Ca
-
DOROTHY MCMILLAN VBC...@prodigy.com