Drum carder comparisons - replay of FB live video. Camaj Fiber Arts

[@marthapeach5343]

Great class! I am thinking of an electric carder and had not thought of the Brother, but WOW that looks very, very cool. Thank you!

[@camajfiberarts]

Thank you very much! Brother has smaller electrics too. Have fun choosing one

[@vernonbowling5310]

One thing about the Brother carder if you choose to get one. ( I'm saving) If you are lefthanded you may want to consider getting the righthand option so you can feed the carder with your dominate hand, it would be awkward for me to try feeding the roving or fleece with my right hand while cranking with my left. So as a lefty I'll be getting the right hand crank.

[@camajfiberarts]

Good tip!

[@tiffanihollingsworth7026]

For delicate fibers which drum carder would you recommend?

[@michaelmoore3360]

Mr Strauch has retired and sold the company. Our carder was the last one he made and he signed it and dated it.

[@camajfiberarts]

Yes and the new owner passed away suddenly. Another owner was supposed to be taking over, but I've yet to see them up and running yet.

[@rickmccarthney4544]

What fibers work best with the Clemens and Clemens?

[@camajfiberarts]

What fiber are you looking to card?

[@camajfiberarts]

I love and have a clemes and clemes. It is a 72 TPI. Honestly I can card anything on that, sometimes you just need to make another pass or two. Just pre-prep well. On another note, if you are carding very fine grade fibers in the 14 to maybe 19 range (that is scoured wool locks) you may see a bit of neping. It's not the carder, it's the fiber. Very delicate. You also should be pre-testing the lock for strength. Check out my Drum Carding for the Beginner to Advanced. I go though everything.

[@karimcordobes7327]

How much is the price dollar us

[@007montana54]

Hi. We have Navajo Churro sheep with wool typically at 35 microns or more. Would we want to get a drum with less tpi? Or would 72 be good? How about ratio of main drum to feeder? I have seen 4:1, 6:1 and also 12:1 for hand crank carders. Is this driven by fiber microns? Or some other variable to consider what ratio to choose? Thanks.

[@camajfiberarts]

Hello Tytus. A 72 TPI would be very nice for Navajo Churro...even a 90 would be good. The ratio is the speed between the large or main drum and the licker in or carding drum. The higher the ratio the more carding action. With that said I feel that a three drum system cards better than then looking at just the ratio of a two drum system. If you are using a two drum system you may have to card a second or even a third time, depending how well you pre-prep the fiber before you card. Which carder has the 12:1 ratio?

[@007montana54]

I think this one says 12:1...