FYI Carding/Combing Equipment and Uses

TEASE
Teasing fibre is the most unmechanized method of preparing fibre to be spun. The locks of fibre can be opened just by gently pinching the tips of the locks and pulling the fibre open towards the tips in a plucking motion. This is done lock by lock and can be very labour intensive. However, it is a good opportunity for the spinner to remove any inferior fibre like second cuts and any kemp or veggie matter. Each lock must be teased open on either end. While this process can be used to prep fibre for spinning most commonly it is used to prepare fibre for the drum carder or the hand cards.

FLICK CARDER
A flick carder is a small paddle that has metal teeth and is used to open, separate, and comb fibres of individual locks. This preparation is used mostly to prepare yarns to be spun in a worsted manner. The flick carder or also called the flicker, is used to remove veggie matter and weathered tips as well as shorter or damaged fibres. There are two motions used by a flicker. Laying a lock of fibre on your lap gently tap the flicker against the tips. This will open the fibres. Repeat the process on the other end of the lock. The second method is the one that I prefer which is to actually comb though the fibres of the lock on each end. A dog brush can be substituted for a flicker.

HAND CARDS
Hand cards are one of the many tools used to prepare fibre for spinning. Hand cards are rectangular paddles that have a sheet of curved, metal teeth on their face. The fibre is laid across the teeth of one paddle in such a manner that when the other card is passed gently over the it, the teeth will separate, straighten and open the fibres. Most hand cards for wool have a slight curve to the paddles so that when they pass over each other they will not bite into each other. It is a birdlike motion, often called a butterfly kiss, gently rocking one card over the other to pick up and comb out the fibres as it moves. Once the fibre has been transferred through the combing process from one paddle to the other, the process is repeated in the opposite direction by switching the paddle’s from one hand to the other. This process is repeated several times until the fibre has been completely separated and opened. The fibre is then lifted off by the other card and formed into rolags or sausages.
The teeth can be close together for finer shorter fibres like cotton or farther apart for coarser fibres like wool.
Hand cards can also be used for blending fibre types as well as colours.

DRUM CARDER
A drum carder is a useful machine that processes fibre in a similar manner to hand cards, however, it is used to process larger amounts of fibre than hand cards. The carding cloth which holds the metal teeth are attached to two drums that move in opposite directions to each other by turning a crank. The two drums are close enough together that when the fibre passes between them they open, separate, and straighten the fibre.

COMBS
There are many types of combs from small mini combs with single or double rows of tines to English or Dutch with three or four rows of times. The reasons for using combs is to get the best parallel preparation of fibres for worsted spinning. Each type of comb is geared toward a particular length of staple. The tines are sturdier than the teeth of carders and are longer as well. This is a very dangerous tool as the tines resemble nails and are very sharp. This tool should be treated with respect at all times.
Combs can be used so that one comb can be clamped to a table while the other one is passed through fibre that has been laid into the tines of the one that is clamped. This will pull out any fibre that is good leaving knotted and tangled fibre in the comb that is clamped. Mini combs do not use the clamp but are held stable by the hand. The knotted fibre is then removed as waste, leaving only the top fibre. This can then be passed through a diz to form a sliver.

HACKLES
Hackles are similar to a comb but it is longer in length and is clamped to a table and there is only one. It’s main purpose is to blend fibre types as well as colours.