For all of you who make Gumpaste flowers, or small fondant decorations, I strongly advice you to buy a Pasta Machine!
I had seen it used before, but couldn't afford one...I also figured, I don't make that many flowers, so I'll keep rolling....
Now that I have one, I dont' know what I would do without one!
I cut's your work in 1/2, and everything you make is evenly rolled...No more thick and thin ribbons or bands...No more killing yourself to strech it out 44" long! You just roll it out so it's not too thick, and then you just start rolling it in the machine to the desired thickness; there is a knob on the side that lets you do this...With it, you can get those super thin rose petals without a sweat!
I recommend you get both the machine and the motor...other wise you would have to crank it yourself...It goes around 80 - 150 for both items...suggestion..E-BAY . I got my combo for $32 w/s&h...It was old, but not used and works like new...

Happy surfing!

I agree! When I made the gumpaste bows for the 23 centerpiece wedding cakes I don't know what I would have done without my pasta machine!

Debbie

how much do those machines go for?

Well, the machine goes for about $35 - 55 and the motor for about $65 - $95.
But I recommend you try E-bay first and see what you find...I lucked out with my combo...

I have a dumb question. Can you use it for pasta and fondant? Not at the same time of course I have one that I've used for pasta a few times.

Joe

Not a dumb question at all... You definitely can use it for anything you possibly need to roll out...Just make sure to clean it after each use because any leftovers on the rolls will mess up whatever you put it next.
I've been wanting to make pasta just to use the machine, but haven't had the time...Do you have a good pasta recipe??

I have two pasta machines. One for clay and on for food items. I don't have a motor for either. It's still a time saver!

Debbie

My hubby's grandmother gave me this huge paste machine about 10 years ago and I have never even opend it up! I guess it's high time I give it a try!

I found a pasta machine at Ross last week and I can't wait to use it. It's one of those you have to turn by hand, but I want to make sure that I'm going to use it before I by the kitchenaid one. I figure that $12 is far less than the Kitchenaid. We'll see how it goes. I have been wanting to make the bows for sometime now. Maybe that will be my project this week.

You can also find a bunch of pasta machines on ebay, ranging in price:
Hope this helps:

For those that have the Kitchenaid stand mixer, you can buy the pasta roller attachment for it and stick right on the front of your stand mixer.
http://www.kitchenaid.com/catalog/product.jsp?src=STAND%20MIXER%20ACCESSORIES&categoryId=158&productId=563

Never use the same pasta machine for fondant and polymer clay...just a word of warning.
I find the hand cranked ones give me more control over the rolling of the fondant. I guess that's why I like using a hand-held mixer too--I'm a control freak!

ohh I LOVE my pasta machine for pasta and cake decorating I like to roll out my fondant very thin for draping and the machine makes it MUCH easier.

Also, I have a spaghetti and fettucine attachment and sometimes I thread the fondant thru the cutters so I can then go back and use the strands for tassels, hair, cords etc.

I have a hand crank one and thought about getting a motor but I will be getting one for my kitchen aid I like the idea of it being up higher to catch the pasta or in this case gumpaste as it comes through guess I will past my hand one on to my sister for pasta or someone for clay.

I had thought about getting the KitchenAid attatchment too, but then thought it wouldn't be that convenient...
I would either have to move it all the time to my worktable, or go back and forth between my worktable and machine...
The nice thing about the pasta machine is that it is compact, light and fits comfortably just about anywhere

I have two pasta machines. One for fondant the other for clay. You can also get an unexpensive machine with the clay and supplies at your local craft store (Michael's or JoAnn's). I got my extra one for less than $10 new for the clay. It just doesn't have the cutter attachment.

Debbie

Never thought about not having it on the work surface plus the vibrations would rule that out anyway HMMMMM need to think some more maybe I just need both???

I also have the stand mixer and would love to buy the pasta attachment.
Where do I buy it from?

thanks mouse! i didn't know they had that attachment! i should be getting my kitchenaid sometime this week. can't wait to use it!!!

Glad to help.
When I got mine (brand new on sale), it came with a brochure that listed all the gadgets that you can get. They also have a grain mill that I would like to get, my husband and I make beer for a hobby, and you can make some really cool beers with different kinds of grains. Funny thing about the grain mill is that if I were to buy it new, I would pay more for the grain mill than I did for the mixer
http://www.kitchenaid.com/catalog/category.jsp?categoryId=158 -this lists all the attachments that you can get

oh boy, they have an icecream maker!!!... haven't had homemade icecream in years!

oh boy, they have an icecream maker!!!... haven't had homemade icecream in years!