carding faq'scarding FAQ's
My drum carder is very dirty, how do I clean it?
carding FAQ's My drum carder is very dirty, how do I clean it?The best way to clean the drum carder is with warm soapy water. Wash the carder teeth carefully with an old toothbrush and some mineral turpentine. You should also check to see if there are any fibers wrapped around the shafts. If possible remove them with a fine hook or needle, however it may be necessary to take disassemble the carder as follows.1. Remove the dome out of the handle, then unscrew the handle2. Loosen the bolt on the top of the right hand side3. Only the right hand side needs to be removed (handle side)4. Remove the 4 screws holding the side on5. Slide both drums back into position, a little light oil on the shafts with help for free use7. Reassemble the right side, tightening the screws. Put the handle in place, adjust the front drum and tighten the bolt.The best way to clean the drum carder is with warm soapy water. Wash the carder teeth carefully with an old toothbrush and some mineral turpentine. You should also check to see if there are any fibers wrapped around the shafts. If possible remove them with a fine hook or needle, however it may be necessary to disassemble the carder as follows:
- Remove the dome nut or knob, then unscrew the handle.
- Remove the 5 screws holding the handle side of the drum carder on.
- Slide both drums about 1cm (½ins) along the shafts or sufficient to use a hook to remove any tangled fibres.
- Slide the drums back into position checking the drive pins engage in the slots in the drums.
- Reattach the side and handle.
- Check the clearance between the teeth.
Where should I be oiling my drum carder?
carding FAQ's Where should I be oiling my drum carder?There are oil holes in the two nylon eccentric bushes holding the small drum. Apply a drop of Ashford Spinning Oil or similar light oil into these and also the two bearings supporting the large drum and the two bearings into the idlerThere are oil holes in the two nylon eccentric bushes holding the small drum. Apply a drop of Ashford Spinning Oil or similar light oil into these and also the two bearings supporting the large drum and the two bearings into the idler.I would like to dismantle my large drum carder to remove some fluff from the bearings - is it possible to do this without interfering with function?
carding FAQ's I would like to dismantle my large drum carder to remove some fluff from the bearings - is it possible to do this without interfering with function?Yes, it is reasonably easy to dismantle your drum carder for cleaning. Just remove the handle and 4 screws securing the right hand side to the tray and back rail. Then slide the side off and clean the bearings on the right hand side. The left side can be moved sufficiently to get in with a hook to catch the tangled fibres. If it's bad, then I suggest a complete disassembly. Hammer the tension pins out of the harnesss. Then the carder will come completely apart. Take care to note how to reassemble it and the direction of the card wire teeth where they touch.Yes, it is reasonably easy to dismantle your drum carder for cleaning.
- Remove the dome nut or knob, then unscrew the handle.
- Remove the 5 screws holding the handle side of the drum carder on.
- Slide both drums about 1cm (½ins) along the shafts or sufficient to use a hook to remove any tangled fibres.
- Slide the drums back into position checking the drive pins engage in the slots in the drums.
- Reattach the side and handle.
- Check the clearance between the teeth.
I have a mini drum carder. I don't see this in your catalogue now!
carding FAQ's I have a mini drum carder. I don't see this in your catalogue now!We made them for about four years up until the early 90's. It was reasonably successful at blending but wasn't so good at carding. This was because it didn't have adjustable drum clearance, it had a relatively small large drum of 43/4" in diameter & the drum ratio was only 2.5:1. Although it was about 2/3 the price of the regular drum carder, demand wasn't high so we discontinued it. We occasionally get inquiries for it but because the regular carder is more versatile we just recommend folk go for that model.We made them for about four years up until the early 90's. It was reasonably successful at blending but wasn't so good at carding. This was because it didn't have adjustable drum clearance, it had a relatively small large drum of 4¾ inches in diameter & the drum ratio was only 2.5:1. Although it was about 70% the price of the regular drum carder, demand wasn't high so we discontinued it. In 2009 we introduced the Wild Drum Carder which is perfect for making roving for spinning.