The Accidental Smallholder Forum
Food & crafts => Crafts => Topic started by: Shnoowie on September 27, 2011, 01:26:10 pm
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Hello everyone!
I've been looking at getting a drum carder for a while but haven't been able to justify the cost - even on ebay! Today my mum has said that she will buy me a carder for my birthday/christmas :D Very lucky!
We keep Ryelands, so that is the fleece that I work with most often and I use an Ashford wheel.
Do I stick to Ashford, or do I go down the Louet or Barnett route? What would you suggest?
(Aiming to buy the carder to use as a display at a craft fair on 15th October).
:sheep:
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I use an Ashford drum carder because that is what was available and what I could afford at the time. It has a medium pin size and spacing on the carding cloth which works well for me but might not be fine enough for your Ryeland fleece ( I have not spun pure Ryeland so I can't say for sure). Ideally you would want to see the carders which would mean visiting a SHOP :o :o but hopefully someone on here will have a firm recomendation for you so you can buy online.
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I rang.. a SHOP :o
The nearest shop is about an hour away, so I picked her brains about what she would recommend for spinning Ryeland fleece.
She recommended a 36ppi Ashford (http://sarastexturecrafts.com/products/2798--ashford-drum-carder-72ppi-fine.aspx (http://sarastexturecrafts.com/products/2798--ashford-drum-carder-72ppi-fine.aspx)). I thought most people used 72ppi, but have been told that those are better for pre-carded and finer wools. She also said that some people use two carders, a 36 and 72 for ease. If I had the money...
Opinions?
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Try www.classiccarder.co.uk (http://www.classiccarder.co.uk) - a new company, very good service over the phone and it is cheaper than Ashford, and made in th UK !!!! I bought one and it works very well!
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Those are beautiful Anke - I really love the oak one.......... :love:
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I gave in and bought one ::) ::) ;D It arrives on Friday (hobbit present as it's my OHs birthday 8)). I chose an ash one in the end because I wanted one with plenty of grain detail in the wood.
If I like it then my Ashford drum carder will be for sale........
Anke - what ppi did you get? Mine is 72, for mostly Heb fleece and I am hoping that will be ok.
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My new Classic Carder has just arrived and looks well made and attractive. I will start using it later today and let you know how it performs.
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Anke - what ppi did you get? Mine is 72, for mostly Heb fleece and I am hoping that will be ok.
I also got the 72 one, it works well for my mostly shetland and shetland x fleeces, I haven't tried the Gotland X texels on it yet.
Well pleased with mine - also I wanted it because of the reduced airmiles.... it is so rare that you can buy a "Made in Britain" product nowadays
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yes, and one where you can speak with the craftsman who made it :) Thank you again for your recommendation :thumbsup:
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I have just found this forum researching drum carders, and i am wondering which to go for, i am new to spinning and my next purchase will be a drum carder any information gratefully received .
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Hi there :wave: I would now recommend Anke's suggestion of a classic carder www.classiccarders.co.uk (http://www.classiccarders.co.uk) . They are well priced, well made and of course British so no import overheads. You can speak with the man who makes them and discuss exactly what you need. His wife is a spinner so he understands just what you are trying to say and is really helpful, as well as proud of his product.
I sold my Ashford and bought a classic carder and I love it. As well as traditional wood, he also paints some - which makes for a modern look (although for me the wooden ones fit in better)
Otherwise, it really depends on how much money you have. Ashford carders are cheap (ish) and cheerful but not elegant, whereas some of the other makes are better designed, but all do the job. It's a great opportunity to shop around and spend some time on the internet ::)
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I love coming accross new-to-me threads on this forum!!! I will be buying a carder this year and will have beulah lamb fleece from my new flock. It seems quite fine to me (on the sheep - I have been longingly feeling their fleeces everytime I brinmg them in to have a check of them!!!), compared to what I have been spinning - does anyone have any thoughs/experience on which guage cardeer would be most suitable? Will call the man if not. Great to have found a UK craftsman Thanks.
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Hi there :wave: I would now recommend Anke's suggestion of a classic carder www.classiccarders.co.uk (http://www.classiccarders.co.uk) .
I think that should be www.classiccarder.co.uk (http://www.classiccarder.co.uk) ? I couldn't get anywhere with the pluralised one, and this one looks like the guy you are talking about.
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oops - thanks Sally ::)
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thank you for the info on classic carders , i am all for buying British, they do look fairly sturdy, some others i have seen do get jammed up with wool round the mechanics , do these come apart easily ?
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They do come with instructions on how to take them apart although I haven't tried yet. There are guides on each side of the intake which direct the wool onto the licker-in so unless you load too much in one go I don't think wool round the axle will be too much of a problem.
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Figured I would revive this than make a new thread.
The OH may be able to organise friends and family so that I can have a drum carder this Christmas :excited:
However I have been asked what it needs, and I am very uneducated. I tried googling, but this thread was thrown up.
I see several numbers with tpi after them. What does it mean?
They also seem to come in different widths, what is the advantage of a wider one?
I've also seen differences in speed ratios. Anyone know what that means?
I haven't any sheep (yet) so not sure what type of fleece I will be predominately spinning. Likely to be whatever I can get my hands on for the moment and when we do have sheep likely to be a native breed.
Any help or pointing to websites, very much appreciated!
Dans :fc:
ETA Pressed send too soon.
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Tpi is the number of pins - maybe 'tines per inch'?
Anyway, 72 is 'normal' and will do most things, certainly all wools, more pins is for very fine things like angora rabbit, fewer is for very coarse wool and maybe 'art' fibres.
Wider batts - maybe good if you were felting?
Deeper or bigger batts (ie cos of longer pins or a bigger wheel) means you can card more at a time.
Speeds - fast ratio - don't have to work as hard turning, to get the job done, and slower is good for very fine fibres. Or you can just alter the speed you turn the handle .
classic carders (http://www.classiccarder.co.uk/)is a good website and also good carders at reasonable prices.
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Just to add to this - seeing as it is back up and running - my parents bought me an Ashford carder in the end (as a Christmas/birthday present), a 36pt as opposed to a 72pt as the shop it was bought it from recommended the coarser one. While I was unsure to begin with, it was the right decision as my Ryeland wool comes out beautifully!
Jaykay covered the rest, I just like poking my nose it :)
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The standard 72tpi "Classic Carder" does all my fleeces - shetlands &crosses ... no need to get an extra wide one if you are spinning mainy. If you find out that in a few years time you will need a bigger one/finer one - the standard will keep its value and you could easily sell it (IMO).
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I do my Ryeland fleece on my 72 ppi from Classic Carders and it comes out well. Having said that I am a novice so don't know if it would come out better or worse on a carder with a different ppi.
Sally
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Thanks guys. Think I shall be directing them to classic carders and offer lots of pretty knitted things.
Dans
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:excited: :excited: :excited:squeeeeels with delight..as I just make myself poorer..to the tune of a classic drum carder....Getting fed up of ebay second hand carders making almost as much as a decent classic carders one I took the plunge..now I cant waittttttttttt for it to arrive. :excited: :excited: :excited:
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Woohoo, hope it comes soon!
Dans :excited:
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Oh, great news :thumbsup: Well done quiltycats :D
I'm glad, partly because I'm now saving all my cast-off fibre to give you to make quilty batts with... :-J
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I got my drum carder from Classic Carders and it arrived pretty quickly so you shouldn't have long to wait. Very exciting :excited:
Sally
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Ooh exciting. Which classic did you go for quiltycats? I have a plain ash with swirly patterns in it - I expect it will have rarity value all too soon :( I liked the coloured ones, but plain wood goes better with where I live :)
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I too went for ash because it was
cheapest ash wood :excited:
They say it will be delivered on Friday. You wont se me for fluff come the weekend :excited:
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Anyone had any experience with this?
http://www.winghamwoolwork.co.uk/carding/95-wingham-drum-carder.html (http://www.winghamwoolwork.co.uk/carding/95-wingham-drum-carder.html)
Or does it sound good? OH is looking for one for xmas for me and came across it. I hadn't seen it before. But I like the idea of interchangeable drums for different fibres.
Dans
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Only seen them on the web site...I can say though that since my Classic arrived I'm in lurve with it :thumbsup:
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Me too quiltycats :thumbsup:
Sally