My current drum carder is a Clemes and Clemes. It's ok but only...ok. I bought it used and it prepares everything nicely especially if it's wool but it hates Suri, Angora, Bamboo, Silk...the finer fibers Supposedly I have the fine tooth carder but what Clemes thinks as finest is definitely different than what I want. I want a new drum carder that is meant for fine fibers. Most of my herd is Grade 1 or Grade 2, which means the microns run between 17-23. I really want a drum carder that will help me enhance the natural beauty of the fiber as I create batts and roving to sell.
Strauch Finest - Motorized
So...I was already to write this massive post about drum carders when I remembered that the AlpacaFarmGirl wrote about her drum carding dilemma for a Fiber Arts Friday post last June. (see, I read all these posts and I remember what I read) So here is what the AlpacaFarmGirl had to say about her drum carding dilemma -This is where you follow the link I just posted.
Pat Green Three Drum Supercard-Motorized
Now, after re-reading what she found and all the amazing comments that were left for her I am still confused. Right now I am leaning toward the Pat Green Three Drum Supercard. The hardest part is that I only know one person who has one and she lives six hours away and hasn't used it a lot or used other drum carders for comparison. Everywhere I read says the Pat Green is better than the Strauch. WHY? I do know a lot of people who have the Strauch Finest and they all LOVE it! This is a minor point but I love that Strauch is built right here in the United States and during these economic times, I really like supporting Made in the USA whenever I can.
Huacaya Fleece
Another concern when I called the Pat Green office was that they refer to it carding Alpaca great but the problem is "Which kind of Alpaca?" I process both Suri and Huacaya and their fiber structure is totally different. The world around us still refers to Huacaya as Alpaca and doesn't seem to know Suri exists. Suri is used in very low quantities in commercial blends because the commercial machines move too fast to process the Suri but it is a dream to spin and knit if it has been processed properly. Now I have recently spoken to a Suri breeder who also processes her own fiber, Pia Masotta Al-Ubaidi who owns Fiori del Campo. She said she uses the Strauch Finest and loves it. Finally another Suri person I could talk to about processing.
Suri Locks
So...I am still trying to decide. Any words of wisdom you can provide would be helpful. The difference between the two drum carders (motorized) is $800 so I really want to make the right decision.
Now what have you been up to this week?
Please share you adventures in Fiber Arts!
Fiber Arts Friday Blog Carnival!
To participate:
- Submit your blog article to the next edition of fiber arts friday using our carnival submission form. Remember to submit your current blog address NOT your complete blog i.e. you would submit
http://wonderwhyalpacafarm.blogspot.com/2010/02/e-i-e-i-doh.html
NOT
http://wonderwhyalpacafarm.blogspot.com
- Link back to Fiber Arts Friday from your post so that your readers can come and see everyone else’s projects! Text link to WISDOM BEGINS IN WONDER!
- Visit as many of the other participants as possible and leave comments! That’s what helps us all connect!
Posts
Andrea, I remember you learning how to spin on a drop spindle less than a year ago. It is amazing how far you have come in your craft in such a short amount of time.
ReplyDeleteWhat Bec just said! I'm going to be stuck to you like glue when I'm up there trying to absorb some of that awesome that you seem to be oozing! LOL!
ReplyDeleteWell, I wish I could help you decide but I haven't used a lot of different drum carders, just the Louet Junior (DON'T go with that one) and my custom made one. I actually have some Suri samples, I should card them on my new custom one and see how it does with them.
ReplyDeleteI really wish I knew how to card fibers! I want to add that to my fiber arts pursuits, but I haven't got a clue how to do it, nor do I have the cash for a carder, ha! Some day, when my kids are all grown up, maybe I can do some more with regular fibers. For now I'll stick to yarns.
ReplyDeleteJess
I have a Strauch carder and really like it (WHEN I'm in the mood to card.... which is rarely). I have carded both suri and huacaya fiber with it.
ReplyDeleteI wish I could offer my two cents worth, but I know nothing about this topic! But I'm learning...
ReplyDeleteDon't know anything about drum carders either... But, I did discover a Suri alpaca farm right across the road from the Icelandic sheep farm I visited yesterday!
ReplyDeleteHi there. I was surfing the Twitterverse and followed your link. In the interest of complete disclosure I should tell you that not only am I a spinner and a weaver, but I also work for Strauch Fiber. I may be just a little biased:-) I've only ever used Strauch carders, and the motorized carder is sweeeeet!
ReplyDeleteThat said, I know that buying a carder is a big decision. It sounds like you've been doing your research! Just like with spinning wheels, personal preference has a lot to do with what piece of equipment works best for you. Really, the best thing to do is to try out the carders you're interested in with your own fiber.
If you're going to any fiber shows where we'll be demonstrating, you're welcome to bring clean (i.e. washed) fiber and take one of our carders for a test drive. (Check the Strauch Fiber web site for the show schedule.) If you have any specific questions, give Otto a call. He's always happy to talk about his products.
If you want to see how Strauch carders handle your fiber, but can't make it to a show or borrow one from a friend, you can send us some of your fiber and we'll card it and return it to you. We did this for a fellow who was having some issues with his dorset fleece - it's like carding a rubber band! We even made a video for him of how we handled the fiber so he could see what we did.
I hope I've been somewhat helpful, and not sounded like a commercial. Really, whatever carder you go with, it should be the one that works best for your needs. Happy carding!
My Strauch double wide finest has exceeded my expectations. I have not carded alpaca, but have had excellent results with merino and corriedale, blended batts with artistic embellishments such as angelina, felt , thread, material and scrap fiber with wonderful results. There is no buyer's remorse and after researching several carders, decided I liked the chain, (durability and no oiling), placing the carder anywhere on the work surface, the licker drum's shaved metal surface, the attached brush, the variety of fiber that can be blended, and testimonials that the fiber hardly sticks to the licker drum and that the handle moves with ease. The resulting bats are gorgeous, and with nicely teased fiber, not placed too densely, I often put it through only once. I am not associated with Strauch and speak as an unbiased fiber heaven enthusiast.
ReplyDeleteWell...I am still no closer to deciding other than to say that I met another Suri farm that has the Pat Green that I will try after shearing season is done. I found another person who has the Strauch too so I will take some fiber to test both then make the final decision. I can't base it on someone else's opinion. I want to thank all of your for your suggestions and comments.
ReplyDeleteThe spinners I know who have either a Pat Green Supercard or the Strauch love them. But it seems like more love the Strauch. I had a Duncan electric. Mr. Duncan said he makes a model especially for alpaca herders. The one I had was too fast for fine wools.
ReplyDeleteThe picture of the suri locks??? Oh my!
I get pretty amazed by how a drum carder can transform batts into a fine thread. But what interest me the most is how a bamboo is made to become fine yarn. My Grandma always shows me how and teaches me everything about it and every time I see the result, it amazes me even more.
ReplyDeleteThis has been a FANTASTIC post! I am interested now on what you end up getting! I am ready to commit and marry' to a carder but the decision is quite difficult! What was the outcome Andrea?
ReplyDeletecheers!
Karla