The Accidental Smallholder Forum
Livestock => Sheep => Topic started by: Buffy the eggs layer on May 07, 2012, 12:47:20 pm
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Hi,
I have some fleeces that I would like cleaning, carding and possibly dying. I have been trying to contact a place in Selby but I think they may have closed down. Can anyone recommend somewhere in the, York, Leeds, Hull, Selby area?
Buffy
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Try Halifax Spinning Mill - don't email, phone, as they aren't very good at replying to emails, in my experience.
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Yes Halifax is at Selby and they don't do email :sheep: but they don't do dyeing either. They do make a good job of the spinning though and they are nice guys. I'm not sure if they would just scour and card without spinning, but you won't know without asking :) The only place I know where they offer a dyeing service is The Natural Fibre Co. It's amazing fun to do your own dyeing 8)
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Thanks you two,
I want to use the fleece for making felt animals so I dont want it spun. I will google them for the phone number and give them a call.
Buffy
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If you don't want it spun its so very easy to wash and dye it yourself! .....if its only a couple of fleeces I will do it for you if you don't fancy it yourself! I have all the kit and its easy enough....just time consuming!
All you need then is a drum carder and you are away!
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I had a go at washing one and was very carefull not to agitate it but I wasnt impressed with my efforts.
Where are you based val?
Buffy
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I spoke to Paul at the Halifax spinning company this morning, he was very helpful and yes they do just wash and card either into batts or into slithered leaves ready for spinning, they will do from one fleece too, hoping to send some fleece to them later this year.
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Good to know, I will have several Shetland fleeces this year and want the different colours kept separate :thumbsup:
Do you have the contact details for the Halifax mill at Selby anyone?
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Buffy....I am near Taunton
If you want one washed and dyed....just let me know as I can split into several bits and dye or can multi dye!
Those of you with one fleece using halifax mill......it is possible/probable they are using mini mill equipment for small batches as its impossible to wash and card one fleece in big equipment as too expensive to clean between batches etc (very complicated stuff but i really do know what i'm talking about!) and.is possible you are not totally getting all of yours back un contaminated with someone elses!!
With a mini mill washer and small carder its totally possible!
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Try Halifax Spinning Mill - don't email, phone, as they aren't very good at replying to emails, in my experience.
Halifax spinning Mill is a full scale working mill, not a mini mill .
We are now answering emails promptly and getting used to our computer system .
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hello halifax peeps....so how are you processing a single fleece through big mill machines.....just curious :wave: Didn't think you were a mini mill....just wondered if you had some 'smaller' machinery for small jobs!
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Halifax will wash and card fleeces from 22 plus vat per kg if you want it spun the cost rises to 34.50 plus cat and there min weight of 30 kg which is approx 25 Shetland fleeces give or take.
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Yesterday when I contacted the Halifax spinning Mill was advised that the minimum quantity they will process is one fleece, that was for washing and carding, however the carrage cost would be the same for a single processed fleece as up to I think it was 30KG fleece so there per kilo cost is less if you send more and take into account carrage costs
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Halifax will wash and card fleeces from 22 plus vat per kg if you want it spun the cost rises to 34.50 plus cat and there min weight of 30 kg which is approx 25 Shetland fleeces give or take.
Halifax wash and Card fleece for hand spinning /felting using 1 fleece
To spin they need 25/30 kgs of greasy fleece
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hello halifax peeps....so how are you processing a single fleece through big mill machines.....just curious :wave: Didn't think you were a mini mill....just wondered if you had some 'smaller' machinery for small jobs!
Hello, there are ways of producing small batches of carded wool on a large carding machine. We guarantee your own fleece back as our customers will totally support. We also have smaller machinery for use on specialist fibres. I am apprentice trained with 30 years experience.
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Ecellent news Wild about wool :thumbsup:
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Hi,
well Halifax mill informed me that they would charge me £22 per kilo = vat ( returned weight) for my fleeces and as they weigh about 3 kilos each that would be pretty expensive even if they came back at 70% lighter ( as estimated by Halifax)
I am sure that they do a great job and the process is very time consuming for them but even at roughly £50 + vat for each treated fleece, it would cost me a few hundred pounds to get them cleaned up. :(
I dont want the fleece spun as will be using it for felting projects so perhaps its worth me having another go at cleaning it up myself.
WoolyVal I would love to take you up on your offer but living in East Yorkshire I'm not exactly round the corner.
So I will have to have a go myself, can you let me know what I need to do, what equipment I need etc ???
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Hi Buffy
Contact Halifax spinning on 07949648938 we are based in Selby and we have not closed down please contact us.
Hi,
I have some fleeces that I would like cleaning, carding and possibly dying. I have been trying to contact a place in Selby but I think they may have closed down. Can anyone recommend somewhere in the, York, Leeds, Hull, Selby area?
Buffy
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Hi WAW,
thank you for the suggestion but the quote above is from your colleauge Paul at Halifax.
Unfortunatly it appears to be a very expensive process to do proffessionally so my only option seems to be do it myself ???
Any advice is appreciated :)