Cleaning Polymer Clay Pasta Machines Tip 2 Scraper Build-up
Video #436: How to keep the inside of your polymer clay pasta machine spic and span... More Info: www.beadsandbeading.com/blog/?... Polymer Clay Tutor.
Topics Covered In This Video:
* In Cleaning Your Pasta Machine Tip #2, I showed you how to use a disposable kitchen or baby wipes to clean your pasta machine from the outside.
www.beadsandbeading.com/blog/?...
* But even with a thorough outside cleaning, you'll still run into situations where you roll a fresh clean sheet of polymer clay through your pasta machine that ends up looking all streaked or dotted with colors from previous projects you've been working on.
* What's happening is that you're suffering from 'Scraper Build-Up'.
* Now, the way a polymer clay pasta machine works is that each roller has a matching scraper assembly. The scraper is supposed to lift or peel the clay off the roller as it comes 'round, and therefore keep the rollers clean.
* But what can happen over time, is that the scrapers get bent or dinged... which causes gaps for clay to sneak by the scrapers. Using sticky clay accentuates the problem. Trying to jam hard clay through your machine also makes matters worse. All of these things lead to the dreaded 'Scraper Build-Up' problem.
* So today, what I'll do is show you some tips on how to clean your pasta machine from the inside.
* I've got the Sculpey Clay Conditioning machine, but most machines are set up in a similar manner.
* We used to be able to take these kinds of machines apart and do a very thorough cleaning. It was a pain, but it was do-able. However, the new pasta machines are designed so that you can't dismantle them. Well you can... but you probably won't be able to get them back together again. So I would suggest you forget about trying. We'll just have to do our best to clean from the outside.
* What you will need is a bamboo skewer or soft flexible plastic knife (no metal utensils), and do your best to remove the built up of clay behind the scrapers, like I show in the video. The back scraper on my machine has a smaller fin, so it is easier to clean on that side. With a little patience, you should be able to remove the bulk of the built up clay and clean your machine relatively well.
* If you clean your machine on a regular basis, your machine will last a lot longer and your clay will come out looking a lot cleaner.
* Additional Resources... www.beadsandbeading.com/blog/?...
Cindy I use clay softener fluid 1. Place machine in a shallow plastic dish. 2. Drip clay softener up and down rollers while turning handle slowly. 3. Let sit a few minutes to soften clay. 4. Use baby oil to flush out clay by pouring over rollers while turning handle, recycle oil and repeat until most clay is gone.5. Using a plastic toothpick scrape out any stubborn clay bits, then repeat step 4. 6. Finally using some Q tips and paper towels wipe everything off. Thank you, Leslie Bassett
Being very new to Polymer clay and totally addicted to learning as much as I can. I found all of Cindy's videos the best source of information out there! Thank You! I started using a cheaper machine roller, I couldn't understand why my clay was getting all the old clay colors mixed in after I would clean the rollers really well with a wet wipe!. Of course, wonderful Cindy and her great tutorials told me the answer! I had no idea that I should wipe and scrape out all the old stuff stuck in those scraper blades. Who knew? What a great save for my clay which is not cheap either!
Thanks for the great new video, Cindy. My first pasta machine was an inexpensive craft store model which I always found difficult to keep clean. I recently replaced it with a Marcato 180... what a difference! I purchased a motor, too, but I don't bother using it LOL. This PM is such a joy to use even with the hand crank, easy to keep clean and sheets beautifully. Just another example of getting what you pay for, I guess. But EVERY machine benefits from a conscientious cleaning routine!
Thanks to this video I was able to put my pasta machine back together :D
Tremendously informative and illustrative video. Thank you.
Hi Cindy, I bought a pasta machine from Mona Kissel and the scrapers screw on and off so I can clean it with no problem. I love this thing, can't live without it. It was a little expensive but cheaper than buying a new pasta machine every 6 months because I couldn't get the clay out. I did teach myself how to take the pasta machines apart and put them back together and when I do, I don't put the fenders on, it's easier to clean that way. Thanks for all your wonderful videos, love them.
I found this very helpful. Thank you!
I have an Atlas I got some time ago and took it apart once to clean it and barely got it back together! I will never take it apart again! This video was definitely helpful. Thanks Cindy!
Another incredible tip from our AWESOME polymer clay tutor!! :0) ~~Thank you Cindy!! Sherry ♡♥♡
Thank you so very much for your help! The reviews for the Amaco aren't great, I seem to be in of many with issues.
Thank you so much for this explaination. I have removed the protection shields above the rollers, so i can clean it better. My machine was eating the clay. I removed a quarter of a small package clay, trapped in the opening after the rollers. My machine is again clean, so happy now. Maked a new blending, this time with Fimo, with for me as a beginner , a great result. And my machine didn't eat the clay this time. So happy now. Give it almost up. Thank you so much.
Nice video, thank you!
omgggg u saved my clay life 😂i didnt know what was going on cuz i just started using it sooooo thank u so much love what u do ✌👌💖
I have a little trick and works pretty well to clean up the front side. (Excuse my english but I'm from Venezuela so I'll try to explain myself in a good way :P). I usually stick a piece of scoth tape bent backwards on the roller and roll it so when it passes through the scraper some clay comes off with the tape. After doing that maybe 4 or 5 times, until my tape comes off clean, I clean the roller with a baby whipe and I'm done :) Thanks for sharing, I really like your videos ;)
I found you video on black stripes, Thanks! Elizabeth....Beginner.
Thank you so much. I really needed this. This tutorial was very helpful.
Glad it was helpful! 💖💖💖
Thanks. U R so helpful!
You are sooo welcome! Thanks for stopping by! 💖
Thank you very much, I am sure this will work, as my grand kids want glow in the dark dice.
You talked about having trouble with the pins that spring tension the metal blades on some of the less expensive versions. What worked for me after I took mine apart to see if it could be adjusted so that the rollers were parallel was to pinch the pins as close together as I could by hand and then take a loop of 26ga copper wire and twist tie the loop closed. I then used my pliers to continue to twist the copper tighter. Once you have done this to both of them so that the pin ends are roughly parallel to each other, it is doable to get both the blades into position. Then once it is all reassembled, you just pull the loops toward the middle to get them off the pins. Hope this helps someone.
Yes I suffer from clay build-up and try to clean it as much as possible, but still am still discouraged by the results. Thank you for the videos and tips.
I discovered the other day I had HORRIBLE scraper build-up. I am so thankful I saw this video because I was considering taking my Sculpey clay conditioner apart to clean it better. I am currently using a skewer but I think the flexible knife will work better. Is your flexible knife a child's toy or some type of actual craft knife? Thanks for the video. You have saved me a major headache and broken clay conditioner.
Yes I suffer from clay build up! The front place is another place to clean!p! I clean the best I can but have left overs! Thanks a bunch! 😊💜
I have the same roller and mine fell off my desk quite a distance and fell apart. I managed to put it back together as the scrapers were gone and the clay just went round and round. I know the purpose of the wasn’t intended for this, but this was the only video that gave a close up of the interior and saved me some money lol. It’s quite frustrating putting it back together but it’s possible. So if you wanted to you could take it apart and clean it out.
Way to go Cindi!
Hi Cindy! Wondering if you could maybe do a video about cracked clay when baked :) Sometimes some of my pieces come out with these large cracks that came outta now where, and smaller cracks continue as it cools. Maybe a bit of advice as well? Thanks :) Love you channel BTW!! ^.^
Can't wait!!!
Hi serrot spikester, what an interesting idea! I have never heard of anyone using a water pic to clean their pasta machine. It may work but it may not. I am wondering since the clay is not water soluble, a water pic may not do much to move the clay, unless it has a lot of pressure. I wonder too if the water might be hard on the metal parts and cause rusting? That I don't know either. It would be fun to test it on an old machine though. Let me know if you try it out. Now you've got me curious!
I folded paper towels and ran them half way through the machine and slid them around to clean the rollers. I will use the skewer trick too. Thanks a lot!
So happy to help! 💖
I just bought one from micheals the amaco one today with the black friday coupon :) 55% off! I'm a beginner so I'll be okay with this and especially all your tips about cleaning and black streaks, thanks so much Cindy
How do I replace the blades if they got damaged
can i bake my machine n it will be easier to get them off cuz i think my machine got sculpey 3 stuck in that tiny spot and gets stuck on other clays randomly when i put it thru the machine
not yet but I'm looking forward to it =)
I'm more looking for a way to keep the machine over 1 project when I have several colours to condition with a lot of contrast. It gets stuck on the rollers and is polluting the next colour. Any tricks for that? I've been using a paper towel (wet and dry) and also a piece of scrap white clay to try to get the streaks on that instead. Help!
Hi Cindy! I have a very important question to ask u. (it does not have to do with the video) so I have had trouble when I make something using translucent clay (sculpey lll and fimo I haven,t tried other brands) it gets u shaped cracks in it after I bake it. It does that wether it's soft or firm and wether it's thin or in a ball. I don't know why it does that. I bake it in a regular conventional oven in my kitchen at 275 degrees for 30 mins. PLEASE HELP!!! I don't know why it does this! Since I
So is there a perfect machine on the market with metal scrapers that can easily be removed and cleaned? I think you've since got an atlas. How is that machine? I don't think you did a review but just an unboxing. I took apart my cheapo pasta machine today and yes the scrapers are next to impossible to reassemble. My roller attachment for my kitchenaide stand mixer is pretty great but my wife wouldn't appreciate me lugging the mixer down to the basement workshop. Having to use it in the kitchen screws up my workflow so I only use it to condition/mix clay.
I put my clay inbewtween 2 sheets of parchment paper so I do not
That's a good idea! I've gotta try it out!
Rebekah Grace why didn't I think of that?!
What a genious idea!!!
That's a great idea. Just got black all over my white . grrrrrrr
That’s a really good idea.
I like your vids and Pasta Machines look cool for polymer clay but it looks expensive.
Thanks PolymerclayPauly! Go to my blog (link in description) and type "cracked beads" into the search box there. I have an article there with tons of comments that will help you with that problem.
Hello hello!!! my pasta machine is making some incredible horrible noise, when i roll it. Do you have any tip? Thank you so much!!
YEH! Always it's a pain in the but, but now I know how to clean it!:) thanks! (Not much of a story)
Hi Cindy, that you faor you wonderful videos, they are so easy to watch and you explain things well. I have had trouble with the build up, and I could not use the rollers on the larger two sizes. So my husband took it apart and cleaned out the "build up" which surprisingly was not a lot. But it still down not work on the two larger setting, do you think that the machine is just faulty? Has not been used a great deal. Thanks Judy
Hi Bev Holly It sounds like it is either a really low end machine or that it is faulty. The gears are probably not touching at the thicker settings.
PolymerClayTutor Thanks Cindy, all gears did work for awhile. I suspect something is broken....well may have to invest in a clay machine!!! Keepo them videos coming.
What happens if the handle doesn't spin/turn? like only one of the spinning bars is spinning? I bought a press and I would really love to be able to use it again... please help!
This is very helpful, Cindy. I have a question. Do you use the same technique for the angel hair attachment? I like the small snakes I get, but it's a nightmare to clean with just a toothpick. I've thought of running water through it, but I don't think it will work, plus I know that it would have to be completely dry before I could use it again. Any other suggestions besides a wooden pick on an attachment like that with lots of nooks and crannies?
Thank you! Yeah, I don't understand why a tool for making food with, isn't easier to clean! Don't use water to clean it though, that will really gum it up. If it is pasta you're running through it, you could maybe run something like a piece of pita bread or a tortilla through... maybe that would help pull out the gunk? If it is polymer clay you're running through it, maybe a sheet of fresh but not too sticky translucent clay would pull out the bits of clay? I don't know, I have only used the fettuccine attachment with clay just once, because I didn't want to jam it all up with clay.
I don't know yet. Still waiting for the package to arrive. Wouldn't a pasta roller be just as good if not better? I assume since the purpose of those is to make something edible that they could be taken apart and cleaned really well? - Heidi
Which machine is the better
I have a problem with black streaks not from clay. What is it? Also the thickness adjuster gets jammed along with the handel
Hi delilah collings, those little u shaped cracks or moons in translucent clay are often referred to as plaquing. Go to my blog (link in description) and type "translucent moons" or "translucent plaquing" and you will find there are plenty of posts and comments on the subject that should give you the answers you need.
How are you supposed to clean them out if you use pasta dough? O.o Thank you for your videos! It has been these simple videos that have helped me during my polymer clay journey the most! Also I just noticed that you have a piece of paper in the handle hole, is that to keep the handle in? If so that is brilliant and I will borrow that idea!! Thank you again from Sydney Australia! :)
nice video, thank you. I get black stripes on my clay. What is that from. It looks maybe tarnish. I'm not sure. Any Help would be greatly appreciated. Elizabeth
Your blades are dirty.
What do I do when the thickness adjuster gets jammed
I definitely suffer from scrapper buildup. My 6 year old grandson was here a few days ago and he loves the clay. Well he discovered the joy of running clay through the pasta machine. He especially liked the add on spaghetti roller. He must have ran clay through it for 2 hours LOL! Yeah now I am trying to find a video on how to get it cleaned! But he had such a good time. I am finding a stiff artist paint brush along with a toothpick is the best way to clean it, although it is tedious.
The scraper blades on my machine became loose so I disassembled it only to find that reassembling seems impossible like you said. But there's gotta be a way to put it back together. Can someone guide me to another tutorial? Ugh, these little machines are so frustrating.
Good job. What was that piece in your cranker? Rubber?
Thanks Mary Stoddard ! Yes that is a piece of rubber glove. I have a video on it in my channel.
Yes, I got some annoying scraper build up and wanted to know how to clean my pasta machine properly. I did find that using a flat card helped me a lot because it could go around the roller and scrapped off the buildup without hurting or scratching the machine.
Great tip! Thanks for passing that along!
Thank you Cindy. I have watched both 1 & 2 my machine is very clean! But, the issue still have is I get black streaks on the clay when I roll it too close to either end of the pasta machine. Is this something that others experience? This happens even with my brand new machine. I thought it was the manufacturer's lubricant or something. So, I have come to only use the center of the rollers. Please advise. Thank you.
Hi Hilary Spenceley I have shot a video on that very problem that will be coming out in the next week or two. Make sure to subscribe to our channel so you don't miss it. It is a very common problem and when you see the video, you'll see why.
I just try it and I think it did good, what I did was I use hot water and some goop begone and dawn. use goop begone spray as much you need to on the scraper and the roller then use hot water in the water pick and then pour dawn on the machine and just wash it off but before you wash it off crank your machine a couple of time first
My problem is that where the rollers met the plastic piece is built up with black junk. How do I clean that part? I feel like I have tried everything. Qtips, baby wipes just about anything that will reach it! I hardly ever use it except with dark clay because of this issue! thanks
Hi rfinney97, I'll do a video on the black streaks soon. Looks like I'll also need to do one on the jammed handle as well, since it is a common problem. Thanks for commenting!
Very helpful, and yes, I definitely suffer from scrapper build-up.
I can't live without my pasta machine! :) They aren't horribly expensive, around $25 at Hobby Lobby/Michaels and you can use their nearly-constant 40% off coupon which would make it around $15 or so. I splurged, getting Makins Ultimate Clay Machine which has these fantastic non-stick rollers. It is a great machine, but definitely a bit more on the expensive side, around $50 ($30 w/coupon). Probably not the route you want to go if you are just trying one for the first time.
I took my machine apart and cleaned it really well. However I can't get my scrapers back in lol! Can you show how they are positioned with the hairpin placement maybe?
Same!!
thank you for your helpful típ
You can open it full to wash it no need to damage the roller. That what you did. There are 4 screws on the bottom of the stand that need to be move it open apart and what keep the scraper is just a pin that can be pull out and set back easily . There are maybe 2 or 3 wash nut that holds everything in place.
How??? I can't seem to get it back together :(
That’s why most of us polymer clay artists/students try to use actual pasta machines..certain brands can be taken apart and cleaned and put back together... it’s just doing research on the web and finding a pasta machine that your willing to invest in....I had a smaller pasta machine when I first started dabbling in polymer clay.. my birthday came up a few months ago and I asked my hubby and son for a atlas180 pasta machine..wider sheets of polymer clay is great... I love it.. but the atlas 180 has the synthetic blades. I don’t know what they are made of... but even with those blades I can make thinner sheets of clay with less ripples then my previous clay machine so I’m happy
Hi there, I just purchased an Amaco roller, and while trying it out today, the rollers stopped turning when I crank the handle. They will turn in reverse, but not down. Am I out of luck? Is it broken? Any help greatly appreciated!
Zelda Fairfax I'm afraid it is probably broken. See if you can return it for a new one.
I hate scraper build up because it always seems to be the worst when you are about to use white or lemonade yellow! Cindy, is it possible to maybe put some heat directed to the bottom of the machine where you were scraping in order to get the clay hard and crumbly and easier to remove. My scraper build up is often squishy and stubborn.
do you think a water pick could work? clean between the teeth good, maybe it will clean the pasta machine. what do think?
Does anybody have favorite places to buy all their polymer clay? I am a newbies newbie and would love all the help I can get. Your videos are wonderful! Thank you so, so much!
I'm in Canada. The cheapest online is OMGHOWCHEAP on eBay but it's a hit and miss on whether you get your order and they can be a tad difficult to deal with. However it's still worth it IMO as eBay supports it's buyers excellently. The seller is in Germany but has great deals. They are on Amazon as well but you can't get the buy 5 get 2 free promo on Amazon, only eBay. Fair warning I recently placed an order and cancelled it 2 minutes later and sent an email apologizing. They completely ignored me and sent anyways 36 hours later saying my request was too late to cancel. I called eBay customer service and they told me the seller won't be able to sell until they refund me. I will still purchase from them because I can always trust eBay. My next best is Michael's, but not online, only in store. If you order online the shipping makes it not worth it and they separate your order into multiple pieces because if one of their stores doesn't have your color they send from another store who does. This is crazy making with Purolator. Crystalidea on etsy is good. Clay is a tiny bit higher priced but she has a very low shipping fee $4.04 CAD and it stays at that price no matter how much you buy. She has a lot of clay supplies too. Hope this helps.
@@farrenrohana Thank you so much! I can't tell you how much your tutorials have helped me!
ThaBnMshow, if you ever go to garage sales in the summer, keep an eye out for pasta machines! I see them all the time from people who were either going to use them to make pasta, or from people who were going to do clay crafts & that never end up using them. I have 2 slightly used ones & one brand new one ~all~ from garage sales and all less than $5 bucks! PS tho.. if you buy a new one, look for half off coupons @ Michaels or Joanns. I'm sure those coupons help a lot! :0)
I bought a brand new Sculpey machine. I ran a WetWipe through the rollers to remove any residue that might be on the rollers. I cut a piece of clay the same size you show in your video, and set it to the widest setting. When I rolled out the clay it came out all ridged, sort of like a Ruffles potato chip. I fiddled with the settings and no matter what I did, I could not get a smooth, rolled piece of clay to come out. I noticed that when I turned the handle that didn't turn smoothly - it would sort of catch every 1/4-inch turn. Am I doing something wrong or do you think this machine is defective? I went to the store where I bought it and opened another one and turned the handle and found that it was better, but it also was not turning smoothly. Any suggestions? Is this a common problem with the Sculpey machine? Thanks so much for any help!
Happy Slant Yes I am afraid that is a common problem with the Sculpey Machine. I thought the new one would be better, but over a short period of time, it had the same issues as well. My favorite machine is the Atlas 150. There is a video in our channel that shows it if you are interested in checking it out.
PolymerClayTutor Thanks for the reply! I think I will be getting an Atlas 150.
Could you just run a wipe through the rollers? Or will it jam up in there?
You can, but a wipe doesn't have as much 'give' as the clay does, so it can put too much pressure on the rollers if it is too thick. Also it cleans better if you can focus on the blades, and hold the wipe against the rollers as you turn the handle rather than just let the wipe pass through the rollers and bypass the scrapers.
which machine is better? and can it work with hard clay like fimo soft??
Hi ahmed awaad I like this machine best: www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00170AXPE/?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&linkCode=ur2&tag=hubp0da1-20&linkId=X5U5EONKQOYPSDHL
@@PolymerClayTutor Do you still like this one best? Thanks!
I took off the base from the bottom :) is a lot easier clean it that way and you can see it's really clean :) sorry for my English :(
Hi blackcat2enterprises, clay conditioning machines and pasta machines for making pasta are the same thing. Believe it or not, the ones made for food are made the same way and don't clean any easier. Doesn't make sense, but it is true.
I know this is 6 yrs old so 🤞 that you see this but I JUST bought a new "cheapish" machine. It's colored like yours except mine blue where yours is gold. I'm already having issues with build up making it impossible to get a square piece of clay especially on the thinner settings and I've literally run 3 pieces of clay through it. I cleaned it and there was lots of build up. I think it's because clay is sooooo soft but is this just something I have no choice but to put up with or did I get a defective, machine? It's still returnable but it will be the 4th one I returned!!! Amazon sucks.
The problem with a lot of the cheap machines is that the scrappers are poorly aligned or bend easily, and the clay can get underneath the rollers. Try firming up your clay a bit and see if that helps or consider buying a better machine like an Atlas.
@@PolymerClayTutor thank you Cindy for getting back to me. I'm going to try putting the clay between parchment paper before returning a 4th machine. BTW, is it my imagination or has the clay gotten softer as a general rule? I use Sculpey III, Premo, Doll Clay, Fimo Soft, Fimo Professional. All of them are so soft it's really hard to sculpt with them, which is what I primarily do with the clay. I use the pasta machine just to condition the clay 95% of the time but bought the new machine for a specific project. Maybe I'll just do the playing card thing for that. I do know about leeching but just wanted to know if I'm going crazy or not, lol. I found when working with the doll clay it helps a lot to add some translucent or cernit doll to it but I'm not sure it would be ok to do that when using colors as it might dull the color. Have you tried this?
I do get a lot of buildup. I usually take the machine apart to clean it but it is difficult to put back together
Yeah, I used to take apart my older machine to clean it too, but I don't recommend it on the newer ones though... because some of them have a pin that won't go back in, if it is taken apart and you can wreck your machine.
Do you suffer from Scraper Builder-Up? I mean, does your polymer clay pasta machine get so gunked up with clay that it gets your clean polymer sheets all dirty? Here's how to clean that nasty machine... #polymerclaytutorials #pastamachine
I saw a $9 one at my local craft store.
Hi ThingSoSweet, yeah those black streaks on your clay seem to be a chemical reaction between the metal and the clay and/or cleaners that touch your rollers. I will do a video specific to that issue, but my Cleaning Pasta Machine Tip#3 (coming up) does help with those streaks so stay tuned for that. Subscribe if you haven't already so you don't miss it.
I learned the hard way last week cleaning my machine. Ran my finger under the front ad sliced my middle finger wide open. 🩹 Its been a week and still is painful.
Yowsers!
sorry to hear,but the same thing happened to me....I sliced the tip of my finger😭
Why does the polymer clay roll backward onto the big bar of the pasta machine? It's very annoying and I have wasted a lot of clay with this brand new pasta machine.
Sounds like the scrapers aren't touching the rollers properly and the clay is getting under the rollers. It is a real problem with the lower end machines.
@@PolymerClayTutor Thanks for replying, i eventually figured out the machine was broken righ out of the box, I ordered another one and it works just fine.
I can’t believe someone hasn’t brought out a machine that is more serviceable. It’s crazy not to be able to remove the blades for cleaning.
Agreed!! One thing you can do is have the machine "monafied" by Mona Kissel at www.monakissel.com or even better, turn your Atlas into a Monafied Street Machine at www.edscolors.com !! They will modify your machine so you can remove the blades easily and clean your machine lickety split!
@@PolymerClayTutor Unfortunately, I'm a bit to far, in Belgium and I have never known a person who deals with machines here, in Europe. So, I disassembled it myself and I removed the hoods. But thank you for the trick.
Hoods or fenders, I'm french speaking. :)
BUY a Imperia Italian machine !!!! You can easily remove the Blades for cleaning , $50 to $75 !!!
Too late! I pulled it apart!😭
Has anyone tried BAKING their machine to harden the buildup? Would the cured clay scratch the rollers? I do this with my extruder to get the remaining clay out. Just a thought.
Hi waterflaws nom deguerre baking your pasta machine to harden the clay inside would not be a good idea because then you would never be able to get the clay out unless you took the machine apart. And these days, most machines don't go back together very easily
Oh I see, I put my blades on wrong.
,