How do you keep your pasta machine handle from falling out?

[exZuberant]

This is my biggest frustration. I have a wonderful Makin's pasta machine with Teflon rollers. It is easy to roll clay through it on the thinnest settings, and easy to clean. However, the handle slips out so easily and crashes to the floor. The plastic handle itself has chipped and broken so many times.

Does anyone have a foolproof way to keep the darn handle from falling out?

[DandiBeadsCo]

Have you tried wrappi.g it with a bit of plumbers tape? Something to take up the gap?

[Former_Member]

You can put a very small but strong magnet in between the handle and the machine.

[exZuberant]

I'll try the plumbers tape, Sandra. Thanks!

Rhoda, where do you get such a magnet? That sounds like a really good fix.

[Former_Member]

I believe what I was using was neodymium magnets like these
http://www.kjmagnetics.com/products.asp?cat=10
but I haven't used a hand crank in so long that I can't remember where I got it! I'm thinking my husband might have picked them up at a hobby shop, but not positive. You can find them at a lot of places online though.

[MetalLotusCo]

I was just having this problem last night! I like the idea of using a strong magnet.

[exZuberant]

I tried the teflon tape (plumbers tape) and it's working nicely. I'll look for the magnet. Thanks for the tips!

(I really should get a motor...)

[Former_Member]

I just bought a book that recommends cutting the tip off a rubber glove and putting it on the end of the handle. I tried it and it works!

[exZuberant]

Alia, that's a novel approach!

Here are the results of my experiments:

The plumbers tape didn't work great over time, because I need to be able to take the handle off when I am not working on poly clay (my pasta machine is mounted on my desk just to the left of my keyboard pull-out shelf - and since my day job is architecture, I have to be able to convert from one specialty to the other!). If you can just leave the handle in the machine, I think the plumbers tape is the way to go, but it gets ripped up when you push/pull the handle in and out.

I almost ordered magnets from the site that Rhoda posted, but, although they are only $0.20 each, the minimum postage charge was about $7. Instead, I found a package of 6 tiny (1/4" x 1/16") magnets for $5 at Hobby Lobby here in town. I placed one of them on the end of the handle. Although it took a bit of time to get the magnet INTO the pasta machine hole (it wanted to stick to the outside!), I was finally able to do it. The magnet is now stuck deep in the hole where the handle gets inserted. I can still remove the handle as needed but the magnet seems to be strong enough to keep it from falling out.

I might now order a new handle (if that's possible) since my old one is broken from crashing to the floor so many times. It's still functional but it can pinch my hand if I am not careful.

Thanks, all, for your suggestions! I hope this post helps someone else!!

[StardustJewelCo]

don't use a magnet- after reading your post I tried it. The inside of the slot isn't steel- and it won't stick at all! I had a nice strong rare earth magnet. (I have an Atlas machine)

[averilpam]

I have the Makins machine, and though I love the teflon rollers in other ways it's annoying. The bolts holding on one of the feet have come undone so the screw part is loose inside and the nuts are lost - this means half the machine isn't held onto the base anymore. Also the plastic turning handle on the table clamp has cracked so it won't turn the clamp and I have to use a pair of large pliers! So far the handle is intact...

[Former_Member]

I wrapped a piece of a rubber and around it then stuck the handle back in. This seems to work pretty well. I do have o replace the Buber band every so often but it works and is cheap :)

[playsculptlive]

I've been using the tip of a latex glove for a while now and it works like a charm.

[Former_Member]

Oh i'm so gonna try some of this tips. I thought that only happened to me and i was being too sensitive on how much it annoyed me. I just think about it and gets me cranky lol sorry i needed to vent. Gonna try this ASAP!!!!

[Former_Member]

Well the handle solution is great. Does anyone know how to put the knob, spring, nut and washer back on. Mine just flew off!

[exZuberant]

Try this, Chery:

http://desiredcreations.com/howTo_TLAdvPQueenMaint.htm

Good luck!

Dawn

[Former_Member]

Oh well, I just deal with it. I figure I get some exercise by stretching and bending to pick up that handle so many times!

[Former_Member]

I'm glad to read it's not just me ! Lol I'll have to give a few of these a try

[Former_Member]

I just reread this thread and saw your post Kira, my machine back then was an Atlas too. I glued the magnet in. I didn't even think about doing it not glued! I didn't want the magnet coming back out with the handle.