The Fibre Garden : fibre prep
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fibre prep
Ashford Blending Board
Combs, Majacraft 2-row Comb System
Majacraft supplies mini wool combs in either single or double pitch, but we generally only carry the 2-row Comb System, which our customers seem to love. These are lightweight, strong and attractively made from solid America Ash. The combs have stainless steel pins with polished points and are not super sharp. The design ensures they are comfortable in your hands with the comb angle being the most efficient for combing all types of fibre.
Instead of drilling the comb blocks, Majacraft has developed a new technique of bonding the pins into place with a very tough resin. The pins are positioned perfectly straight and perfectly even on every comb.
This is the double row version, and we can order in the single row as well, just inquire for current pricing and availability. This comb set is also available by itself without the comb holder, clamp and diz but we highly recommend it as a the comb system. This frees up your hands while combing, since the comb holding the uncombed fibre remains in place, clamped to the table.
Specifications:
- handle length, 6.5" (16cm)
- point length, 2.25" (5.5cm)
- comb width, 3.5" (8cm)
- the comb system includes: two mini-combs, comb holder, clamp, comb block, brass 3-hole diz and diz threader.
Double-row combs are great for finer fibres. They will help you to prepare a sliver/top that will give an excellent result when spinning worsted yarns. Colour and fibre blending is simple and effective. Try using a diz for taking the wool off the combs. The resulting sliver is a joy to spin and, as is often the case, the time spent in preparation is taken from the time spent in spinning later.
PRODUCT of NEW ZEALAND
Combs, Mini – Louet Double-row
These Double Row Mini Combs are similar to the Single Row Mini Combs but produce a perfect slubless sliver from extremely fine fiber. Both mini combs are light on the wrist. They are made of ash with a lacquer finish.
PRODUCT of HOLLAND
Combs, Mini – Louet Single-row
Diz – Brass 3-hole
Doffer Brush – Louet – Pre-order only
Doffer Pin – Louet – Pre-order only
Drum Carder, Ashford – Fine 72 PPSI
This is the carder we currently use here at the shop, and we love it! This FINE version is the most popular, with teeth on the main drum set at 72 PPSI (points per square inch), which handles a wide range of fibres.
Ashford recently did some rejigging to offer two carding ratios: use the 6:1 ratio to prepare your fleece. The controlled intake and carding will produce a smooth even batt ready for blending, spinning or felting. Use the 4:1 ratio to blend sliver, colours and different fibre types consistently into an open and airy batt.
The new carder retains the adjustable drum clearance - allows you to set the teeth distance for total control of your fibre. All-nylon bearings ensure it is light and easy to turn. The card cloth has wire teeth with a special protective coating and a flexible rubber backing for long life. The carder is strong and robust with the body made from Silver Beech hardwood. The carder has rubber feet as well as two clamps to prevent it from slipping. Card 50 gm (2oz ) batts quickly and efficiently. It comes assembled and lacquered ready to use. A short Awl/doffer (4 inches) and carding instructions are included. Batt size 55cm x 23cm (22ins x 9ins). Carder weight only 5kg (11 Lb).
PRODUCT of NEW ZEALAND
Drum Carder, Ashford – Packer Brush
Designed specifically to fit the fine or coarse-cloth Ashford 20cm (8-inch) Drum Carder. This kit is simple to install and doesn't require any special tools nor holes to be drilled. It has two metal holders that fit over the small drum, with a nylon-bristled brush that fits in notches and can be swung down to brush the large drum or moved up and out-of-the-way when taking off batts.
We use a fine-cloth Ashford Drum Carder here in our shop, and we love this brush! It helps you to pack more fibre onto the drum by smoothing it as you go. Ashford suggests it also reduces fly-away of finer or no-crimp fibres such as bamboo. Neither of us has any notable handyman skills but it was really quite simple to install.
NOTE: As of summer 2013 Ashford now includes this packer brush on all of their various sizes of drum carders.
PRODUCT of NEW ZEALAND
Drum Carder, Ashford – Super Fine 120 PPSI
Drum Carder, Ashford – Wild Carder
The Wild carder has been specifically designed for today's fabulous, fun and funky art yarns. The extra long 72 ppsi teeth allow you to include differing fibres, fabric, ribbons, feathers, paper and novelties to create unique blends. The packer brush is adjustable and will control fine, low-crimp fibres and increase the size of the batt. The drum clearance is also adjustable which allows you to set the teeth distance for total control of your fibre.
All-ylon bearings ensure it is light and easy to turn. The carding cloth has wire teeth with a special protective coating and a flexible rubber backing for long life.
The doffer and cleaning brush are stored on the carder. The carder is strong but lightweight with a hand hold for easy carrying. The carder has rubber feet to prevent it slipping. It comes assembled and lacquered, ready to use. A short awl/doffer (4 inches), cleaning brush and carding instructions are included. Batt size 60 x 15cm (24 x 6ins). Makes batts up to 40gm (1.5 ozs). Weight only 3.5kg (7.5 lbs).
PRODUCT of NEW ZEALAND
Flick Card, Ashford
A flick carder (or "flicker") is used to open up locks of fleece before drum carding or spinning. Many spinners sit and do this on their lap, with a protective cloth of sturdy denim or leather. We prefer doing it on a high table on top of a piece of old vinyl flooring.
PRODUCT of NEW ZEALAND
Flick Card, Louet
A flick carder (or "flicker") is used to open up locks of fleece before drum carding or spinning. Many spinners sit and do this on their lap, with a protective cloth of sturdy denim or leather. We prefer doing it on a high table on top of a piece of old vinyl flooring.
Hackle, Majacraft – 2 row 320mm
Double pitch hackle from Majacraft, 320 mm (12.6") comb width. The combs have stainless steel pins with polished points that are blunt enough to be much more pleasant to use and sharp enough to do the job well. Fibres are lashed on to the teeth and then pulled through a diz to prepare them into top for spinning. They can be used in much the same way as wool combs, for either preparing a single type of fibre, blending colours or blending a mixture of fibres.
Instead of drilling the hackle base, Majacraft has developed a new technique of bonding the pins in with a very tough resin. The pins are positioned perfectly straight and perfectly even on every hackle.
This is the double row version, and we can order in the single row as well, just inquire for current pricing and availability. It includes a wooden pin cover to protect you and the hackle when it is not in use. Also included are special Majacraft clamps. The clamp block is drilled at an angle and has a solid rubber top to ensure that the hackle is held firmly on your table and the rubber will prevent damage to the table. The clamps allow you to secure the hackle to a sturdy surface and carry out colour blending in conjunction with a diz. The hackle is also stepped at the end to provide an area to use an 'F' clamp if you prefer this to the included clamps.
The hackle dimensions are:
length, 470mm (18.5 inches)
width, 45mm (1.8 inches)
height, 35mm (1.4 inches)
comb width, 320mm (12.6 inches)
The double row hackle is great for finer fibres. The pins are at different heights so initial combing can be done on the higher pins before carrying out fine combing with both rows of pins. As is often the case, the time spent in preparation is taken from the time spent in spinning later.
Handcards, Ashford – 108 PPSI
Made of solid unfinished Silver Beech hardwood with a comfortable turned handle to fit the hand. The carding cloth is durable stainless steel wire teeth set at 108 points per square inch (ppsi), held by a red rubber backing. Carding head measures 8" by 5". The paddles have a nice curve to them, which makes for more comfortable and efficient carding. Minor assembly required, basically laying a strip of white glue and screwing on the two handles. Easily finished with a coat of urethane or varnish, if desired.
Handcards are used for preparing fibre for spinning or felting. Many spinners use these to prepare washed fleece into puffy rolags. Excellent for blending together different kinds and/or colours of fibre as well. When carding fleece it's good to do this over top of a drop sheet since lots of loose vegetation may fall out during the process, depending on the fibre.
PRODUCT of NEW ZEALAND
Handcards, Ashford – 72 PPSI
Made of solid unfinished Silver Beech hardwood with a comfortable turned handle to fit the hand. The carding cloth is durable stainless steel wire teeth set at 72 points per square inch (ppsi), held by a red rubber backing. Carding head measures 8" by 5". The paddles have a nice curve to them, which makes for more comfortable and efficient carding. Minor assembly required, basically laying a strip of white glue and screwing on the two handles. Easily finished with a coat of urethane or varnish, if desired.
Handcards are used for preparing fibre for spinning or felting. Many spinners use these to prepare washed fleece into puffy rolags. Excellent for blending together different kinds and/or colours of fibre as well. When carding fleece it's good to do this over top of a drop sheet since lots of loose vegetation may fall out during the process, depending on the fibre.
PRODUCT of NEW ZEALAND
