I put together this pirn winder over the course of the winter, kind of experimenting along the way and having a look at various winding mechanisms on Weavolution and other websites. I have plans to built a larger spool winder for my spool rack. I will also be turning a bunch of spools on the laith sometime soon.

 

I'm surprised had how much more yarn can be packed on a pirn when it's wound taught with a winder.

 

A little video here of the action. ;)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UVsSWdEIIFk

Enjoy :)

 

Comments

Mon, 02/27/2012 - 10:08

ReedGuy

The video also shows the reel used to spool yarn to the winder. I have since put shellac on the winder being careful to leave the pulley throats bare wood. I also put some wax on the surfaces where the pullies and shafts turn to take the squeek out. In the video, most of the squeek is friction from the reel turning on 1/8" brass rod. That could be remedied with some wax to.

Tue, 03/06/2012 - 16:42

ReedGuy

I measured the yarding I could spool on that pirn and fit to the shuttle and I believe it was around 33 yards of 2-ply wool yarn. Earlier when free handing the wind I could only get around 10 yards. So makes a lot of difference. ;)

Tue, 03/27/2012 - 20:57

ReedGuy

I made some spools for my spool rack. I only have 8/4" stock, so I made these for starters. My next run will use my circle jig to cut wider ends, probably 3-1/2" or ball park and glue them onto 3/4" dowel that I will bore 1/2" diameter. I loaded a skein of 2 ply wool yarn (215 yards) onto these, but not sure yet if they are overloaded. Will find out soon enough if they bunch up.

I wrap a broken rubber band on the winder back toward the housing to hold them on and stuff some paper in them to. Not ellegent but functional. :)

Wed, 03/28/2012 - 18:06

icecharm (not verified)

If only I could figure out how to make that! I can't spend the money to get a winder yet and it is very tedious to do it by hand.
Wed, 03/28/2012 - 20:38

ReedGuy

I chained all my warp yarn today on the mill for my first 60" wide blanket, a long 8 hr day. The spools never gave me much trouble with full 215 yard 2-ply wool skeins on them. Once in a while a strand jumped off, but actually kept on spooling right along as if still on the spool. So not much heart burn. ;) Calculated that I needed nearly 10 skeins. Worked out pretty accurate. :)

Besides the warp, it takes bang on 5 pirns for each skein to for the shuttle. :)

Tomorrow the warp tie-on commences. ;)