I finished up the Drum Carder for my wife! She's excited to start using it.
I cut the discs for the drums on my table saw, and turned the pulleys on my lathe. I did mount the drums on the lathe after gluing up for a light sanding. I ended up making 14 discs each of 2" and 7" diameters. Frame was made from maple I had lying around the shop. The fabricated metal parts were made from aluminum, and the shafts are plated steel, all from Lowe's. The gap between the drums is adjustable, as well as the drive belt tension. I put a couple coats of wipe-on poly on the wood after sanding for a smooth, snag-free finish that also won't possibly transfer to any of the fibers.
Some videos of it in action:
Just turning the drums
Carding some fiber (wife was cranking pretty slow)
I cut the discs for the drums on my table saw, and turned the pulleys on my lathe. I did mount the drums on the lathe after gluing up for a light sanding. I ended up making 14 discs each of 2" and 7" diameters. Frame was made from maple I had lying around the shop. The fabricated metal parts were made from aluminum, and the shafts are plated steel, all from Lowe's. The gap between the drums is adjustable, as well as the drive belt tension. I put a couple coats of wipe-on poly on the wood after sanding for a smooth, snag-free finish that also won't possibly transfer to any of the fibers.
Some videos of it in action:
Just turning the drums
Carding some fiber (wife was cranking pretty slow)