Sculpey Clay Conditioning Machine Update
Video #706: I’ve got some good things to say about this pasta machine… and some not-so-good things to say.
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IN THIS POST: — sculpey — pasta machine — clay conditioning machine — stainless steel rollers — black streaks — wrinkling — polyform — atlas 150 wellness — pasta machine handle — scrapers — scraper build up — flat sheets — sheeting — update review — (Topics marked with an asterisk* are discussed in the Comments Section below).
In today’s video, I am doing an update on the Sculpey Clay Conditioning Machine.
About 6 months ago, I did an unboxing and quick review of the New Sculpey Clay Conditioning Machine with the Stainless Steel Rollers. I said I would come back and let you know how it preformed, so that’s what I’m doing here.
I have both positive and negative things to say about this machine.
First the positive… the stainless rollers are definitely an improvement. There were no black streaks anywhere on my clay.
Also… this machine is sturdier than the previous models… there was no scraper build up… and the handle fits better and does not keep falling out.
Now for the negative… the gears started slipping after only about 1 month of use. Please note, I am extremely gentle on my machines, so it wasn’t an issue of rough use. The slipping gear issue caused all the thinner settings to ripple to the point of being unusable.
I show side by side comparisons of polymer clay rolled out at each of the settings on both my Atlas 150 Wellness Machine ($100) and the Sculpey Clay Conditioning Machine ($40). You can see, as I go through each setting, the difference in the quality of both the machine and the sheets that they are capable of making.
In conclusion, I would like to see Sculpey fix this gear issue, because all the other issues that the machines had in the past, have been solved with this machine. But as it is now, only the top 4 settings are really usable for the polymer clayer.
There is a big difference in the price of the two machines, though. So if you are just a weekend polymer clay hobbyist, then the low price on the Sculpey machine and the fact that the top 4 settings are good, may be all that you need. But if you are going to be doing polymer clay for any length of time, or you like to spend money on quality tools, then definitely pay the extra for the Atlas 150 Wellness Machine (anodized aluminum rollers) because every setting will give you a good quality sheet of polymer clay.
Lastly, I think that the manufacturers of both machines should dial back the number of settings on their machines, to improve the meshing of the gears, resulting in higher quality clay sheets that are produced at all settings. I know it sounds fabulous to have more settings on your machine, but if some of those settings are going to be low quality, it would be better to have fewer settings… in my humble opinion.
00:00:03 –> 00:00:07 Hi guys, its Cindy Lietz, your Polymer Clay Tutor, and today’s PcT Product Demo, I’m gonna
00:00:07 –> 00:00:15 do an update video on the Sculpey Clay Conditioning Machine, the newer one with the stainless
00:00:15 –> 00:00:16 steel rollers.
00:00:16 –> 00:00:22 Now a while ago, about 4, 5 months ago…or 5 or 6 months ago, anyways, it was a while
00:00:22 –> 00:00:29 ago, I did an unboxing of the new Sculpey Clay machine, and said I would spend some
00:00:29 –> 00:00:33 time using it and see if… how I liked it.
00:00:33 –> 00:00:38 So there are some things that I would like to say that are positive and some things that
00:00:38 –> 00:00:44 will be negative about this particular machine, and I’ll just go through a few different things.
00:00:44 –> 00:00:50 Now, after using it for about a month or so, the gears started slipping and clunking and
00:00:50 –> 00:00:52 I started getting a lot of wrinkling.
00:00:52 –> 00:01:00 And I’m gonna show you the difference between, I have an Atlas 150 Wellness Machine which
00:01:00 –> 00:01:08 is a higher end machine than the Sculpey Machine… just to compare prices, the Atlas is about
00:01:08 –> 00:01:15 $100 for this machine and these are…the Sculpey one is about $40, and then you can
00:01:15 –> 00:01:19 get it, you know, with a discount coupon, so there is a difference in price, so that
00:01:19 –> 00:01:23 you would expect there to be a bit of a difference in quality.
00:01:23 –> 00:01:29 But one of the things I was really hoping about this machine was that some of the new
00:01:29 –> 00:01:34 improvements would be really good, some of them are and some aren’t.
00:01:34 –> 00:01:42 One thing that I like is that the new stainless steel rollers, they are good, they are not…they
00:01:42 –> 00:01:48 didn’t leave any Black streaks on the clay over time, and even after using it for quite
00:01:48 –> 00:01:54 a few months, it didn’t have any issues with the Black streaks, so I have a feeling that
00:01:54 –> 00:01:56 is a very good improvement.
00:01:56 –> 00:02:02 Also, I did not get a bunch of big buildup behind the rollers, in fact, I didn’t have
00:02:02 –> 00:02:09 to clean this at all, sometimes what happens…and I’ve got some videos on Black streaks and
00:02:09 –> 00:02:16 on scraper build up and all that kind of stuff, so if you wanna check those out you can, but
00:02:16 –> 00:02:20 this one didn’t have an issue with the scraper build up which is great.
00:02:20 –> 00:02:26 Also, the handle stayed in nice, it didn’t keep falling out, so those are all improvements,
00:02:26 –> 00:02:32 but the one improvement that they made or they said they made was to fix the gears,
00:02:32 –> 00:02:37 well, it didn’t or it didn’t last very long anyways, at first, in the other video… the
00:02:37 –> 00:02:44 unboxing video, it didn’t show much wrinkling at all, but after using it for just a short
00:02:44 –> 00:02:49 period of time that changed really quickly.
00:02:49 –> 00:02:55 Now you should also know that I am super, super careful with machines, I never take
00:02:55 –> 00:03:02 a hard chunk of Polymer Clay and just jam it through the rollers, I treat them very
00:03:02 –> 00:03:11 gently, I never put hard clay through or multiple layers, so it isn’t rough use that has caused
00:03:11 –> 00:03:14 it it’s an issue I think with the gears, anyways, let me just show you.
00:03:14 –> 00:03:21 Alright, so I have two pieces of some Premo! clay that I’ve just rolled out at the thickest
00:03:21 –> 00:03:29 setting, now both of these machines have settings that go from 1 to 9, 1 is the thickest and
00:03:29 –> 00:03:34 9 is the thinnest on both of these, so they’re really quite comparable to do testing side
00:03:34 –> 00:03:35 by side.
00:03:35 –> 00:03:42 So what I thought I would do is show you this, so I’ve got them both set on 1, and I’m gonna
00:03:42 –> 00:03:49 just run one piece through, and you can see here that it comes through quite nicely, there’s
00:03:49 –> 00:03:54 no wrinkling or any sort of issue there, and I’ll do the same thing with the Atlas.
00:03:54 –> 00:04:01 Now, on my particular Atlas, the number 1 setting, the gears are quite far apart, and
00:04:01 –> 00:04:08 you will see a slight, slight line on there from the skipping, you can pull it out by
00:04:08 –> 00:04:12 just pulling on it, but this is a really fine, fine ripple.
00:04:12 –> 00:04:23 Okay, so we’ll go to setting 2, you can see setting 2 is okay on this machine, and we’ll
00:04:23 –> 00:04:30 go to setting 2 on this one, and setting 2 is just fine, you can’t see the…the ripples…here
00:04:30 –> 00:04:36 we’ll fold this sideways and prove that it’s not really causing much for ripples, okay,
00:04:36 –> 00:04:40 there’s a few little lines there but nothing much to worry about.
00:04:40 –> 00:04:48 Now let’s go to 3 and as you can see so far, they’re okay, now this one is just starting
00:04:48 –> 00:04:55 to show some faint rippling on the 3, nothing that’s too big of a deal yet, we’ll go to
00:04:55 –> 00:05:02 3 on this one, and it’s very common for machines at the highest settings and the lowest settings
00:05:02 –> 00:05:08 to show some rippling, now, there’s a pretty… it’s pretty flat there, there’s no rippling
00:05:08 –> 00:05:10 that I can see there.
00:05:10 –> 00:05:22 Alright, so let’s go to 4, alright, so it’s just starting to show some rippling here and
00:05:22 –> 00:05:34 a little bit of a distortion along the side, number 4 on here, number 4 is beautiful on
00:05:34 –> 00:05:35 that one.
00:05:35 –> 00:05:43 Let’s go to 5…I know this is like watching paint dry, but I really wanna show you what
00:05:43 –> 00:05:48 starts happening as you get down to the thinner settings, this is starting to ripple, you
00:05:48 –> 00:05:58 could still pull it out, it wouldn’t be too bad, and this one is nice, there’s…it’s
00:05:58 –> 00:05:59 fine.
00:05:59 –> 00:06:08 Alright, so let’s go to 6, now you can already hear it’s starting to sound bad, and look
00:06:08 –> 00:06:13 at how the wrinkling is happening, these are deep wrinkles, you’re not gonna be able to
00:06:13 –> 00:06:26 pull those ones out, okay, let’s see a 6 on here, it’s nice and smooth.
00:06:26 –> 00:06:44 Okay, let’s go to a 7, it’s starting to get really quite severe, 7 on this one…oops,
00:06:44 –> 00:06:48 usually I don’t have two pasta machines going at the same time, now this one here, you can
00:06:48 –> 00:06:56 see just some slight lines but a quick pull will pull those right out, so it’s very usable.
00:06:56 –> 00:07:06 8, like I said, it’s quite common on the extreme settings to…get that out of the way, let’s
00:07:06 –> 00:07:12 try this one, the extreme settings can be bad, but this is quite terrible, there’s nothing
00:07:12 –> 00:07:19 much we can do with these thinner settings so far on this machine, alright so what have
00:07:19 –> 00:07:27 I got going on here, let’s run this one through an 8, and this one is starting to
00:07:27 –> 00:07:34 ripple a little bit, but this is still quite… you can still flatten that out, alright?
00:07:34 –> 00:07:44 And lastly, we’ll do the 9th setting, and you can hear it, it’s grabbing and it’s doing…it’s
00:07:44 –> 00:07:52 getting worse, it’s also doing this weird thing here, so the gears are not matching
00:07:52 –> 00:07:56 up properly, they’re starting to click, and they’re really starting to cause problems,
00:07:56 –> 00:08:04 let’s try this last one here on 9, and this one is getting a bit of a ripple here, but
00:08:04 –> 00:08:07 it’s still all quite usable.
00:08:07 –> 00:08:18 Now, the reason why I showed you that is because, this one, the minor lines that you get is
00:08:18 –> 00:08:23 pretty typical, but because of the quality of the machine, the way the gears are fitting,
00:08:23 –> 00:08:30 all of these settings are very usable, and without…all you have to do is do a little
00:08:30 –> 00:08:33 bit of a pull and you can pull that line out, now I also have a video on how to avoid the
00:08:33 –> 00:08:38 lines, if you really kinda hold on to your clay, you can avoid the lines.
00:08:38 –> 00:08:44 But on this one, the lines are so severe that you can’t pull them out, so basically, the
00:08:44 –> 00:08:51 only settings that are worth using on this machine are 1 through 4, and then 5 and up
00:08:51 –> 00:08:58 start getting really unusable, you can’t even really roll those ones out with a brayer.
00:08:58 –> 00:09:02 But, there is a big difference in price, so what I’m saying is, is I’d really love it
00:09:02 –> 00:09:08 if Sculpey would fix that gear issue, because everything else is a big improvement.
00:09:08 –> 00:09:15 The sturdiness of the machine is better, the rollers are better, the handle is better so
00:09:15 –> 00:09:19 there’s a lot of improvements and considering that the price is really low, you could probably
00:09:19 –> 00:09:21 only spend about $30.
00:09:21 –> 00:09:26 So if you are just strictly doing this as a hobby, then you may want to still use this
00:09:26 –> 00:09:31 machine, it is way better than the one that they used to have with the streaks and the
00:09:31 –> 00:09:36 clay build up and all that issue, but you’re not gonna be able to do those really thin
00:09:36 –> 00:09:38 layers.
00:09:38 –> 00:09:43 If you think you’re gonna be doing this for any time at all, and it’s a little more of
00:09:43 –> 00:09:50 a…you like to put money a little bit into your hobby, then certainly go with the Atlas,
00:09:50 –> 00:09:53 it is a better machine right through all of the settings.
00:09:53 –> 00:10:00 Now both of these companies would avoid any of those…would really minimize the lines
00:10:00 –> 00:10:06 if they would put less settings on there, I know it sounds fabulous to have a huge range
00:10:06 –> 00:10:09 of settings, but if some of those settings are gonna be really low quality, you might
00:10:09 –> 00:10:14 as well bring back the number of settings, so if they had 7 settings instead of 9, there
00:10:14 –> 00:10:20 would be less of a need to have a big space in between them and they’d smooth together
00:10:20 –> 00:10:24 a lot better, and you can really see that when you’re using the middle settings like
00:10:24 –> 00:10:32 3, 4 and 5 especially on here, the gears flow real nicely, so I just think that having more
00:10:32 –> 00:10:36 settings isn’t necessarily better if you’re gonna have issues with it.
00:10:36 –> 00:10:43 So I hope you liked that update, I hope it answered some of your questions and that it
00:10:43 –> 00:10:44 was helpful for you, alright?
00:10:44 –> 00:10:51 So if you liked this video, do let us know, if you’ve got products you’d like me to test
00:10:51 –> 00:10:56 and do reviews on, do leave those in the comment section below, if I haven’t…I may have
00:10:56 –> 00:11:01 already done a video on them but you never know, I may not have yet.
00:11:01 –> 00:11:06 And also if there are techniques or things that you would like to know, leave those in
00:11:06 –> 00:11:09 the comment section below as well, alright?
00:11:09 –> 00:11:10 So we’ll see you next time and bye for now.
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Resource Links:
- Amazon: Sculpey Pasta Machine Stainless Steel Rollers **
- Related Video: Sculpey Pasta Machine Stainless Steel Rollers
- Related Video: Atlas 150 Pasta Wellness Machine Unboxing
- Related Video: Pasta Machine Black Streaks
- Related Video: Pasta Machine Cleaning Scraper Build-Up
- Related Video: Why Pasta Machines Leave Roller Lines On Polymer Clay
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Hi Aims!
Just popped “ripples” in the search box and this is the first link that came up. Hope it answers your question…
Why Pasta Machines Leave Roller Lines On Polymer Clay
Not what I meant. I know why ripples form – was wondering why you can’t get them out as Cindy said.
Any ideas?
Hi Aims, they won’t come out easily because they are actually thicker in the raised areas and thinner in the grooves. If you try and roll them out with a brayer or something, the sheet gets distorted and you can still see the lines on them. By the time you have them completely rolled out, the sheet is way thinner if not torn and sometimes has see through stripes on them. (Especially on those thin settings.) It is not as simple as the faint lines that you can just tug on to pull out.
Thanks Cindy. I’m totally amazed really!! Good thing you showed us this!!!
A thanks for trying to help would have sufficed nicely.
Maybe I don’t clay enough and so don’t understand why you can’t get the ripples out.
Can you tell me why?
I still use my Amaco that I bought about 6 years ago and then only problem I’ve ever had with it is the handle – it likes to fall out.
Hi Cindy, I started this hobbie a little over a month ago. I bought the sculpy machine it worked ok in beginning then metal pieces began showing up in my clay then black streaks so I exchanged it same thing with second one. I decided to bite the bullet so to speak and buy the atlas I love this machine. It’s smoothe the handle does not fall out no streaks. To me your only as good as your tools, and it’s important to me not to be wasting clay. It’s not cheap. I’m enjoying everything I learn from you and am a paid member. Although I just started and wish I had all your videos so I could be a part of your special studio cam, I think it would be very helpful for beginners to see how you work and react to things. Thanks again
Lynn
Thank you for your lovely comment Lynn. I am so happy that you are enjoying what you are learning here. Thank you for your feedback on the pasta machines! :)
The Dream Machine.
Those that own them, rave about them. In the past, they run contests and one was given away every year. If I am correct, one of the lucky folks is a contributing member here, Dixie.
I heard they had some problems with the most recent production run of the newest DREAM Machine model. Does anyone here have one of the newest ones that were shipped earlier this year? Just curious…
I bought mine in June… and you saw my review above. No issues here. There was a tiny hitch on delivery, a typo on the zip code, but when I called to let them know that their package was on its way back, they sent a new one out that day, rather than waiting for the other one to get back to me.
All in all, both the people and the machine have been fantastic.
That is great news Mitz!
Great review! I need a much better machine than I have now but the Atlas seems too pricey. And then I think “Well, if I’m going to be spending too much anyway, why don’t I go all the way and get a Dream Machine?” The answer to that is obvious, that’s CRAZY expensive. And what if it didn’t even live up to my expectations? To that end I would actually really like to see your take on the Dream Machine, Cindy. I did a search of the website to make sure you haven’t done one before (I didn’t think you had.)
When my Amaco finally died for good earlier this year, and the two machines I bought in the stores were broken and/or obvious returns (clay under the scraper blades and such), I broke down and went to Polymer Clay Express to get an Atlas. I don’t remember what question I had, but I wound up calling them. To keep the story short, the owner talked me into getting the DREAM machine. Honestly, it was a soft sell – I’d been lusting for the thing for years.
I have to say, a little over half a year on… I do not regret anything! Easy to use, easy to clean, and has handled everything I’ve thrown at it, including my personal granite blend (lots of inclusion bits), though I try to be kind and only use that one infrequently.
I did a quick test like the one Cindy did in her video, and didn’t start seeing ripples until settings 8, 9, and 10, and those were minor and easy to smooth out. I did notice I needed to clean it, which took about three minutes.
Price wise, it is the Cadillac of clay machines… but with the heart of a working vehicle. I personally can’t say I know how long it will last, but I predict… that if you come back and talk to me in a decade, I’ll probably still have it going strong.
Thank you, that answer was helpful and everything I was afraid it would be. ;) I think I would set my sights on it in a big way if I clayed more than I do. Sometimes I do it for hours every day and sometimes weeks can go by when I don’t clay at all. Ah well, unless the price comes down by about 90% (yeah, right), it will have to stay in my dreams. I guess that makes the name pretty apt.
I thought once about writing the Dream makers and suggesting they design a 5″ bed version, but my understanding is that the Atlas does a pretty good job of filling that niche already. Yes, it’s three times the price of the Sculpey machine, but it will probably last at least four times as long, so you save money in the long run.
Great comparison video, thank you. I think I got my machine at ACmoore years ago, it’s a Fire Mountain Gems Polly-roller. I think I shoved too much hard clay in the first setting, so that’s a little wonky, but the rest of the settings work really well. I had to go run downstairs and try it, lol, and no rippling at the thinnest setting just some fine scratches that can easily be rubbed or sanded out. The handle is loose, but I’m used to that and like I said I’ve had it for years and it works really well. Also, I’m sooooooooo excited I just purchased the last two videos I needed in order to own them all and qualify to get in on the Studio Cam videos. Do I need to email you guys about that or will I just get access to them once my payment goes through? I’m soooooo excited…wait…I already said that, but it bears repeating, LOL!
Re the Studio Cam Vids… your’re in! All 6 hours are ready and waiting for you.
Hey Doug, yeah, I just click on one to see if it would work and VOILA, I’m in – YEA! Thanks Doug.
Another improvement would be the addition of holes around the crank handle (as on the Atlas) so that an electric motor could be added. Just a thought :-)
That’s a good idea Chrissie, though they would need to fix the gears first, or it would really break fast!
LOL… too right! Those gears would be as smooth a baby’s bottom with a motor powering them :-))
Thank you thank you thank you for doing this review. I actually have to go out pretty much today to buy a new one and am not yet ready to invest in a nice Atlas. My old one that I’ve had for ten years with some rough learning absorbed into it has finally become unusable with grabbing gears and shaking my entire work area when turned. I even took it apart and got great results turning the handle. . . as long as I didn’t put clay through it haha. It’s done! Gears are shot. I believe it says Nicole on it. I’m seriously looking at the Makin’s Professional clay conditioner at Hobby Lobby. Ugg today might be stressful ;).