I do not have one, but i think i remember someone saying they use a machine that was actually made for sheeting modling clay, not sure of the name. I have purchased some of my tools from the "clay department" including some of my cut out. It is cheaper than the fondant cut outs and work just as well. I think i paid about $ 1.49 for a package of square and star graduated sizes I have an extruder gun that will do perfect even size and diff size strings of fondant. All purchased in the molding clay isle at hobby lobby
Fondant sheeters start at about $3000. Do you do enough fondant to warrant that type of investment in the equipment? If so, go for it! 
20" $3200 http://www.pierceequipment.com/somerset.html
30" $4200 http://www.instawares.com/fondant-sheeter-30.som-cdr600f.0.7.htm
are you wanting this for your new business venture?
(great idea BTW!)
well -- it would certainly be a fun/nice thing to have available.
but -- will most of your clients even know how to use one?
who will teach/supervise them?
and what if they break it?
will it provide sufficient return on investment (will it see enough use that it pays for itself?)
can it be a marketing point? (we've got it and the competition doesn't?)
how much floor space will it require (that's space dedicated to one thing -- say it's 20 square feet -- if your rent is $2000 a month on 1000 square feet -- that's $2/foot (very low!) and that machine is taking 20 or $40 worth of space -- could that same space be more storage, etc. for more members?
some things to consider
This is something like I was talking about. It is a small one, but i know you can get them in a larger size. I am pretty sure that the one used on ace of cakes is referred to as a pasta machine.
http://www.michaels.com/art/online/displayArticle?articleNum=as0135
I bought the same one at michaels for my gum paste flowers and it was 19.99 and I used my 40 0/0 coupon so it was even cheaper then!
It works well for me and it is a whole lot cheaper then those others. But this intended for small pieces of fondant or gum paste were the others are meant for larger sheeting.
Why on earth would someone's clients ever use a fondant sheeter? Maybe Doug meant employees since it was said she is starting a new business?? Because if I had a fondant sheeter I wouldn't let the clientele anywhere near it.
That said.. if I was going to open a cake shop and did a lot of fondant cakes.. I'd get one in a heart beat. I hate rolling out fondant!! 
Why on earth would someone's clients ever use a fondant sheeter? Maybe Doug meant employees since it was said she is starting a new business?? Because if I had a fondant sheeter I wouldn't let the clientele anywhere near it.
That said.. if I was going to open a cake shop and did a lot of fondant cakes.. I'd get one in a heart beat. I hate rolling out fondant!!
no I meant clientèle -- she's trying to open a "rentable" kitchen -- she's in CA where it is illegal to bake out of the home and sell -- so, you have to own or rent a legal kitchen.
Ahhhh.. here I am picturing random people sheeting their own fondant for their cakes.. 
Sweat Equity??? 
But yeah.. I can see that point. It is one more thing that can break, but it would definitely have me wanting to rent your kitchen over others if you had one..
Ahhhh.. here I am picturing random people sheeting their own fondant for their cakes..
Sweat Equity??? But yeah.. I can see that point. It is one more thing that can break, but it would definitely have me wanting to rent your kitchen over others if you had one..
thats what i thought was meant also, lol
alicegop, I have a 30 inch Somerset sheeter. It saves me so much time and trouble. I hated rolling out fondant for 14 & 16 inch cakes. Now they take a couple of minutes. My fondant is uniform and looks great. I love it.
I had 14 table cakes, a wedding cake and a groom's cake on one order and a couple of other wedding cakes the weekend my sheeter came in and I was so excited to try it out. Yes, it is an investment, but worth every penny. 
Doug those are EXCELLENT POINTS! THANK YOU! Although, rent for me will be under a $1 a square foot when I get this thing going.... would be nice if the realtor would call me back (has been a couple of months since I've heard from him) with some potential locations! The sheeter might very well be something that would entice people to rent from me.
CindiM thank you for your input, now I really really want one. I also hate the hassle of rolling out fondant for large cakes. That would be a huge time saver. When I get one I'll get the 30 inch.
Thank you to everyone! I love all of you, what would I do without you, your comments and input are invaluable!
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