"One of the key ingredients for the resurgence of the RYO smoker"

While there are a number of manufacturers of injection machines, most of which are fairly small hand held simple devices (like the one at left) that can inject tobacco into a filtered (or non filtered, if you prefer) tube, few can rival the sheer efficiency, quality and control of cigarette making that is indicative of the patented Supermatic line by CTC, Inc. (Clinton Tube Company of Plattsburg, New York). These wide based machines rest on the table affording the user a very comfortable control surface environment with an easily manipulated lever for pushing the tobacco into the tube. Most machines load from the top (again, like the one at left) and a "lid" is closed on the filled tobacco compartment, with the tube applied to a nozzle, the user then slides the "lid" or top of the machine to push the tobacco into the tube. The much larger Supermatics (see picture at right - not to scale) are far more sophisticated. Once the tobacco compartment is filled, the lever or handle is pulled down which closes the tobacco compartment and engages a compacting piston to prepare the tobacco for a tight even roll. The next motion is a continuation of the handle motion to then push the tobacco into the tube. Very efficient and requiring little effort, and more importantly, the whole process requires no dexterous skill to "hang" on to the machine during the injection phase of the operation. In tests we have found that after only a few minutes practice one can "roll" a pack of smokes in as little as 5 minutes. Again cigarettes that are indistinguishable from and every bit as high in quality as manufactured brand name cigarettes with the added advantage of choosing one's own superior tobacco blends.

   Since this is a review and not simply an advertisement for these machines, it is only fair to note that we have observed some inconsistency in the manufacture of both the Supermatic (the original) and the Supermatic II. While CTC has a good warranty (1 year) and quick turnaround times for low cost repairs, even for those machines that are out of warranty, AND the company supplies a comprehensive parts list (for self repairing/replacement of parts) the mechanism design is complicated enough (at right) that it is difficult to always know, if a malfunction occurs, which part is at fault. The machines need to be used carefully and, likewise, tobacco chosen carefully to avoid causing bends or misalignment of the mechanical pathways and drive components caused by jammed tobacco that binds or sticks. On several occasions we have returned machines to them that either did not work properly from the beginning or stopped functioning due either to original manufacturing weaknesses or to our subsequent negligence in the selection of tobacco for use in them. The consistency of quality and reliability are steadily improving and the problem that existed early on may have been, in part, due to the fact that for some time these machines were out of manufacture. Interestingly enough, the resurgence of RYO cigarettes forced CTC back into making them. The fact is, my first Supermatic, which I purchased from a tobacco shop nearly 2 years ago, had been, according to the salesman, sitting in the back room for several years. He had several dozen of the machines and they had not sold for a long time. Suddenly he was selling them quickly and was concerned whether he could get replacements once his stock was depleted. Using the information on the card I received in my boxed machine, I contacted the company to find out for myself if these machines were still manufactured. They told me they were gearing up for new production and after a couple of months they began in earnest to produce them. As with any new production run, it may have been a case of the first few machines not reaching consistent standards of quality. Any problems, though now seem to have been worked out. We certainly hope so as these are by far the most effective injectors around, and all of the more recent machines we have seen have been outstanding. And, we repeat, it may be that the fault was ours in our initial uses of the machine.

   Performance-wise, we found little difference between the all metal, more expensive Supermatic and the newer, hard plastic, lower priced Supermatic II. Both are workhorses and the rubber feet on the Supermatic II are a nice touch.

   NOTE:  The following may prevent a lot of you from doing damage to these machines as you are getting to know them. There are 3 issue areas which must be addressed for a successful Supermatic experience. If you follow these you will find the Supermatics to be an irreplaceable asset to rolling your own cigarettes.

1. Select tobacco carefully: It should NOT be hunks or heavy bulk cut. It should NOT be overly moist like most pipe tobacco. If you wish that special vanilla or other flavor to add to your cigarette tobacco either dry pipe tobacco very thoroughly and then break up the bulk parts by crunching and rolling between your fingers before you mix with your cigarette tobacco, or order pre-flavored tobaccos from a reputable tobacco shop that uses appropriate cuts for cigarette injection machines. The best tobaccos for this machine are long, fine or medium cut shags. Do not over-dry tobacco as powdered "shake" tobacco will also jam the machine.
2. Clean the machine regularly by turning it over and shaking gently and/or blowing the tobacco residue from the mechanics underneath. A fine dry brush works great. Follow instructions on lubricating occasionally. Keep the 2 brass screw bolts on top of the machine finger tight.
3. Never force the machine to push tobacco. Never tightly fill the tobacco chamber - lightly tamp down from a pile over the chamber entrance. If the machine starts to jam, STOP, immediately, return the handle (lever) to the open position, and clear, with a toothpick or other sharp (but safe) object, the tray area leading to the cigarette tube of all jammed tobacco. This is most important as excess pressure on the handle, in order to forcefully push through jammed tobacco, will bend the mechanisms and throw your machine out of alignment.