Update on the Simmons Slicer as of Dec, 2011

I know some of you aren’t quite ready to pay the registration fee for a workshop and are tracking the number of remaining openings so I will be updating the table at the right with each post.

The slicer is now out and in use in the polymer clay community. About 12 people have them.

4" high student cane on slicer

We still have quite a bit of documentation to complete on how to assemble it, maintain it and use it safely, so at this time we are only selling to people who have seen a demonstration and had a chance to use the slicer under our direction.

Testing it out in my workshops has been extremely helpful and has led to several improvements.

Assembling the slicer

We are currently taking a couple months off from production to complete the improvements and enhance the safety features of the machine, as well as to work on the documentation.   We are in the final stages of the patenting process, which has taken up quite a bit of  our time (and money) as well.  (For the purpose of the patent we changed the name of the slicer to the “Simmons Polymer Clay Slicing System.”)

When the latest improvements have been completed and all of the documentation is ready we will start distributing to people on the list who haven’t actually used the slicer, in the order their names appear on the list.   At the rate things are moving this could be several months from now, but it will happen.

Paper-thin cane slices

Please understand that this is a part time effort for us and is not producing a profit, just an hourly wage for Craig.    If you are on the slicer list we will be contacting you to see if you are still interested in buying one.  We will give you an estimated delivery date and request a $200 deposit to confirm your order.  With recent improvements, the current price of the slicer is $850 (as of July 2012) plus $40 for shipping and handling. This includes a spare blade.

 

People have asked if we could make a smaller, less expensive version of the machine.  We originally set out to do that, but weren’t able to achieve the level of precision and flexibility that I wanted at that scale, so we decided to build this larger machine first. Eventually we would like to design a smaller version that could be produced by a manufacturing company at a lower cost.  Right now each machine is meticulously crafted by hand.

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39 Responses to Update on the Simmons Slicer as of Dec, 2011

  1. Nettonya says:

    Looking forward to hearing from you!

    I have the deposit money ready, as soon as you let me know.

    Merry Christmas!

  2. Marian Swenson says:

    This slicer looks awesome! Can you tell me what and where the slicer list is?

    • Carol Simmons says:

      It is a list of people who want to buy or are seriously considering buying slicers, ordered by the date I was notified. I am keeping the list. We will fill orders according to that list.

  3. Candy Emerson says:

    I would like to be on the slicer list.

  4. Patti Staffen says:

    I would like to be on the slicer list as well. Thank you…

  5. Anna Shaw says:

    Hi Carol,
    Please put me on your wait-list for the Simmons Slicer….
    All the best,
    Anna

  6. JULIE says:

    If you are on the fence thinking about it I must tell you that it is an investment but a good one. I have slicer #9 and love it!!!!

  7. Wendy Shaw says:

    I am like a kid in a candy story with my new slicer. I am sooooo excited!! Thank Craig for your time and efforts – tis greatly appreciated. I have revisted my notes and pictures from the Shake Rag Alley workshop and I am off a running. Wooooohoooooooo!

  8. Mary Mhoon says:

    OH, yes. Please put me down for one.

  9. Wendy Moore says:

    Carol and Craig, my experience with the ladies’ slicer in Nepal has me hooked. Am I too late to go on the list for the slicer (I know it is long but that gives me time to save up!). Please tell me how to pay the deposit. Have you shipped any yet? Hugs from Australia and Nepal, Wendy

    • Carol Simmons says:

      The line is very long and production has slowed while we look for ways to make it faster, but we’ll put you on the list.

  10. Barbara colautti says:

    I was shown the machine and how to use it by a former student of yours about a week ago, and ever since I’ve lusted after one of my own …. Please may I be stuck on your waiting list too? Just tell me where to send the deposit!

  11. Sue Mueller says:

    The Mile High Polymer Clay Giuld might possibly want to purchase a slicer! Last time we talked, at Pingree last year, I believe you said the list was full. If that has changed any, please let me know so I can put it on our agenda for discussion and approval, if one might be available.
    I have been watching the news and hoping you both, and your home, are safe from the awful ravages of the fires. Jan had said at one point, recently, she thought you were but wasn’t sure.
    Take care, and hopefully Pingree will happen!
    Sue

    • Carol Simmons says:

      Sue,
      Thank you for your good wishes. We are fine. The slicer list is growing faster then Craig is filling the orders, but I can put you on it. We are looking for a way to speed up production. You won’t have to make a decision about buying it for quite some time. Let me know.

  12. Hi Carol,
    I have to have one of these. In over 15 years of working with polymer clay I have yet to find a decent way to slice canes evenly – and I’ve tried all of the slicers out there. Is it too late for you to put me on your list? My birthday is this Saturday and being on the list would be a great bday gift!

    Elisabeth

  13. I meant to ask…is the slicer able to slice round canes as well as the triangle and square ones I’ve seen in pictures?

  14. Arlee groch says:

    Please add me to your slicer list. Ths.

  15. Trystan says:

    Hey Carol. This looks amazing. I am one of those who wants thebest and this looks like it. I see it comes to about $900 with shipping and has a $200 down payment. A couple questions. Are they still available to start with as it has been nearly a year since the last post on this? Secondly, after the down payment will you take payments rather than a lump sum, understanding it will not ship until full payment is received? I just want to ensure I am able to secure one despite not having the full sum to drop on this immediately. Lastly, I see you just taught a class in Racine that looked amazing. I wish I had known about it. Is the Racine class a regular event? I would love to plan for next year, though I understand dates may not yet be firmed up? Oh, and lastly, will you and your slicer beat the Beadshow in Milwaukee in June? If so I could drop by your booth, have a look and give you the deposit at that time?
    Thanks,
    Trystan

    • Carol Simmons says:

      Hi Trystan,
      Sorry for the delayed reply.
      Thanks for your interest. We are retooling to make more slicers and have none available at present. I will put you on the list. No payment is due until we are close to producing your slicer. I estimate 1 year. I will not be at B&B.
      I will be teaching my hidden jewel mokume workshop in Mineral Point WI next May and hope to teach several classes in Racine the following October. Watch this blog for updates.
      Carol

      • Dear Carol:

        Thank you for the update as to the status of the slicers, can I presume I’m still on the list and if so, will it also be a year for me to wait like Trystan? I’ve already been on it for almost a year, if not longer. Every time I see the slices produced by my two friends’ machines I go the most peculiar shade of envious green and oh, do I wish I was lucky enough to own one!

        If you can offer me the smallest ray of hope, something to hang on to, I’d be so grateful …

        Yours in anticipation,

        Barbara

        • Carol Simmons says:

          You are on the list. He plans to make 40 so you’ll get one but I can’t say when. You are pretty far down on the list.

  16. Marian Swenson says:

    Hi Carol,
    I thought your slicer was awesome in the class at Mineral Point this April. I would like to be put on the list – I know it is very long, but that is OK.

    Marian

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  18. Leslie milligan says:

    Hi Carol
    I would also like to be put on the list. I can send the deposit as soon as you give the word.
    Thanks

  19. Lucy Burns says:

    I would like to go on the list to order a slicer.
    Many thanks
    Lucy in Sydney Australia

  20. Carolyn Allen says:

    Hi Carol,

    I thought I was on the list, but don’t see my request here. If I’m on it already, just ignore this. Otherwise, please put me on – I have a bunch of cane from class to slice!

    Carolyn

  21. Carol Simmons says:

    You are on it.

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