[Fleecewife]

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.

[Dans]

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 

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 

ETA Pressed send too soon.

[jaykay]

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 is a good website and also good carders at reasonable prices.

[Shnoowie]

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

[Anke]

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).

[Bionic]

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

[Dans]

Thanks guys. Think I shall be directing them to classic carders and offer lots of pretty knitted things.

Dans

[quiltycats]

  :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.

[Dans]

Woohoo, hope it comes soon!

Dans 

[SallyintNorth]

Oh, great news    Well done quiltycats 

I'm glad, partly because I'm now saving all my cast-off fibre to give you to make quilty batts with... 

[Bionic]

I got my drum carder from Classic Carders and it arrived pretty quickly so you shouldn't have long to wait. Very exciting 
Sally

[Fleecewife]

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 

[quiltycats]

I too went for ash because it was cheapest ash wood 

They say it will be delivered on Friday. You wont se me for fluff come the weekend 

[Dans]

Anyone had any experience with this?

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

[quiltycats]

Only seen them on the web site...I can say though that since my Classic arrived I'm in lurve with it