Louet Standard Drum Carder

£575.00

Louet Drum Carder

The Louet Standard drum carder is the best drum carder on the market – in my opinion. This is the drum carder that I use to hand process all my batts. I just love it! I am thrilled to offer this carder to my customers.

Perfect for making batts in every style imaginable: art batts, smooth batts, gradients, textured batts, lofty farm-fleece batts and more. The teeth on the Louet Standard drum carder are slightly longer than those on many other brands, which means you can card more fibre and more interesting, longer fibres. I have often packed over 150g onto my Louet drum carder.

The Standard is a true workhorse, with a 19cm (7½in) working width and a 9:1 ratio. Louet gives its approximate recommended batt capacity as 80g, although my own experience above shows what can be possible when making generous, textured batts. It weighs approximately 7.5kg and is made from waterproof birch plywood with a durable white HPL top layer.

Louet drum carders are designed with ease and efficiency in mind, so that your carding time is productive, adjustment-free and enjoyable. The non-slipping gears are enclosed in a gearbox and require no additional lubrication or adjustment. The sides of the gearbox also help keep fibres away from the shafts and edges. The teeth on the licker-in and main drum intermesh, ensuring that fibres are combed thoroughly, while the flexible nickel-plated steel wire works gently through the fibre.

Choose your carding cloth:

46 TPI: my personal choice for farm fleece, textured batts and longer or coarser fibres. It leaves a gorgeously open batt for spinning and felt making.
72 TPI: a wonderfully versatile all-round choice for wool, colour blending and smooth everyday batts.
120 TPI: the finest option for fine wool and delicate fibres where a smoother preparation is the aim.

An instruction manual written by well-known author and fibre artist Deb Menz is included.

Carding and combing are pre-spinning treatments that align fibres so they can be spun more easily. Carding is also invaluable for felting and woollen preparation; combing straightens the fibres further, helping determine whether the finished yarn has a worsted or woollen-spun character.

If this item is not currently on the shelf, you can still order it through my website. I will order it from Louet especially for you, let you know the expected timescale and keep you updated while it is on its way.