I am trying to buy my tools as I go along. I just cant afford to buy everything at the same time ( I keep looking but still havent found a big bag of 100's laying around). I am taking the first of three fondant classes and last week all the teacher did was pick on me because my tools were not "quality" 
. I have mostly Wilton stuff right now. I had planned on buying a sugar gun next, but now I am wondering if I should buy some tools first (I have the Wilton ones - ball tool set). I know that Wilton is not top quality but it is what I have and I was hoping to add new things instead of replacing what I have. The sugar gun at the cake store is $55 and their tool set is $40. I have saved about $100 but if I buy the sugar gun (which I think is high for what it is) and the tool set that will pretty much use up all my money. I was really hoping to buy an ejector set and a few other things. Oh and she aslo said that my Gum Tex was not any good and I should buy the Tylose. I have a brand new can of Gum Tex and I hate to just throw it away. Anyway what do you all think should I start replacing all the Wilton stuff I have or just ignore the teacher.
If it were me, I would ignore the teacher. The Wilton stuff, perfectly fine. You can gradually replace the items you use the most with 'better' as you need them. For example, I recently got a metal ball tool, but the plastic one from Wilton worked just fine-no problems.
As for the sugar gun, Will you use it a lot? There is a clay gun/extruder at the craft store for about $30 (cheaper with a coupon) This one has a twisting key to push the clay out-much easier on the hands. It comes with a lot of shapes.
Tylose is much better than Gum-Tex, however, GT works fine. Tylose is more white, but both will get the job done.
In any case, you can only do so much. You can tell the teacher you have all you can afford, and they should just butt out.
I'd ignore the teacher. Sounds like she trying to sell the stores stuff. I'd just add tools as you can afford them. Personally I find it better to start out with the cheaper items to find out if it is something I am really going to use - other wise I've spent alot of money on something that's going to sit in a drawer.
And like you I keep looking for that bag of 100's LOL - being Irish ya think I'd find a pot o'gold sometime LOL
The teacher doesn't remember thier earlier days of gumpaste. Ignore! I have seen some ball tools made from marbles that have been glued on dowels. Earlene Moore sells them. So that is another idea. Now about the clay gun I got mine from either Nick Lodge or Cake Craft Shoppe. It is so much easier to use than those found at any local craft store. Price about $35.
Pfft Why pay more for something if it does the same job just as one that is $20 or what eva more..
A teacher is there to teach and if he or she was a good one something like that shouldnt be a problem as he/she should be focusing on teaching you how to use the tools! no matter if they cost you $2 - $200....
As long as the outcome is the same then who cares!
The clay gun is similar in shape, but has a 't' shaped insert that you turn instead of push. practially anything will go through with ease. I know the parts a green, but I can't remember the name of the thing. It was in the clay tools area of the store, beside the syringe-like one.
I get so upset when I hear about situations like this--it's hard to respect a "teacher" who would act in such a way 
I agree with the others--IGNORE her comments about your tools. Do the best with what you currently own. If it were me, I'd make a point of not buying one single thing from that shop, either. Every single thing you've mentioned can be had from internet sites at much better prices.
I'm one who, when I meet someone like this, will quietly absorb all of the info they have to give. I'll ask questions and be nice as pie while in class and after it's all said and done and I can't get anything more for my time and $, I ask for a few private moments of their time--and then I tell them how disappointed/saddened/hurt/offended/upset/angry (usually in that order) I was by their comments about "the only ______ that I can afford at the moment." I tell them that it would have been more helpful to hear about my technique/learning curve, rather than the fact that my ball tool is a piece of crap--after all, I KNOW THAT, BUT I CAN'T DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT AT THE MOMENT!!!!!
Now, when you find that sack of $100s, check out globalsugarart.com and internationalsugarart.com--and go CRAZY! No doubt that a nice metal ball tool, a proper foam pad (by the way, those hard foam kneeling pads for the garden are big, but they do a fine, fine job), a jar of tylose, a nice dresden too, and silk veining tool can do wonders for any gum paste flower, but not at the expense of your financial piece of mind!
Enjoy the experience & learn all you can!
Rae
Thanks everyone tonight was much better. She didn't seem to pick on me near as much but after the class she did say she was glad I went to the cake show in Austin so that I could see some quality tools being used. Oh well. Tonight I bought a leaf ejector set which is way cool and finally broke down and bought two of the square pans I have been wanting. I wnated to buy them from here but they have been out of stock for a long time. I had to pay $12 for the 4" and $14 for the 6" magic line pans - I will have to hop over to the shopping section and see how over priced they were.
Melissa
In defense of this instructor. She may want you to use good quality tools so you complete good quality flowers and won't be frustrated or disappointed with the finished project. I teach gumpaste flower classes and that is one of things I stress, buy good equipment and it will last for years and you will find it much easier to work with. I understand when someone can't afford to go out and buy $200.00 worth of equipment at one time, but if you buy just one or two good quality items at a time, eventually you will have everything you need and you will be really thankful that she talked you into it.
Melissa, I agree that you should keep in mind that the quality items really are worth the money in the long run. I'm also like you, save for what you want. Using items and figuring out which ones work for you is better than spending the money on things you may never use again. Sell a cake, buy a cake "toy". Makes it fun.
I bought my clay gun at beryls.com for about $33. (it's the SugarCraft clay gun) It's great.
I don't think very much for the teacher, sounds to me like she is pushing her own barrow or the company line. I agree with Rae learn all you can with what you have. I would then report her to her superior. It may not help but at least she might get a talking too and for the next people coming in a bit more accommodating. Here in Australia we buy a lot of our tools from dollar shops and where ever you can pick them up from. I have been cake decorating for years and I don't have a metal ball tool and see no need for one. Even the top cake decorators here don't have them and also do there shopping in dollar shops. Its much cheaper. Not being rude but there is nothing wrong with Australian Cakes. I was at a cake decorating meeting the other saturday and a demonstrator used a garlic press for hair. The man with the shop there said it looks like I have to get garlic presses in now. Tools do not make the cake or the decoration you do and if you have it, it won't matter what you use. Thats my opinion for what its worth.
I am a coal miner's daughter, long ago that is...we were dirt poor and you made do with what you had. I still am of that opinion today, I shop for bargains. Expensive is not necessarily quality. Like some others have stated, buy your tools/toys as you can afford them, until then use your imagination, look around at home to see what you can use in place of what you believe is that must have item. I couldn't agree more boring...it's the individual not the tools. Old saying, keeping up with the Jones's could put you in the poor house. Ditto on opinion and for what its worth.
Helen
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