There are three basic designs - Double Banded, Scotch Tension
and Irish Brake.
Double banded machines have both the flyer and the bobbin
driven. The speed of each, is determined by the whorl or pulley
size, on which each drive band runs. The ratio between these
two parts is fixed. One being slower or faster than the other.
Overall, this system is a very rigid.
Some people do run their treadle wheels with loose drive bands,
creating a slipping effect on the pulleys (or whorls). This slipping
will occur when hesitating in the drafting. The effect overcomes
the rigid nature of the two driven parts. It allows some measure
of irregular drafting without affecting the quality of yarn making.
Some treadle wheels can handle this well, but others do not.
With Double Banded spinning wheels, the person normally needs
to maintain an exact feed and drafting rate, relevant to the
treadling rate, to obtain a perfectly even yarn.
The single banded machines are more flexible, as the free
turning part can be braked to run at different speeds to create
many varied and different ratios . There are two types of single
banded spinning wheels, depending on which part has the brake.
The Irish Brake system has a free turning flyer with a cord acting
as a brake, The Scotch Tension system has a cord restricting
the free turning bobbin and acts as a brake. These two systems
are often referred to as bobbin led or flyer led ( Leading meaning
the driven part).
The Scotch Tension (flyer led) has a friction brake cord in
a groove at the end of the bobbin. This is tensioned to create
a drag in the wooden groove. This is quite a good system, although
the tension cord needs to be pulled tighter frequently , to make
the bobbin slow down, to keep the ratio the same. This is due
to the growing diameter of the filling bobbin, which gathers
in faster as the filled diameter increases. You still need to
keep a consistent feed rate in drafting, to match the flyer speed.
With the bobbin being braked, the ratio to the flyer is set.
The speed of the flyer, on any type of spinning wheel, determines
the pull in rate. With the driven flyer, the speed of drafting
must match the speed of the flyer otherwise unevenness of the
yarn will occur. For most experienced people, this is quite acceptable,
changing and matching both speeds as they do their spinning.
The Irish Brake design is the most versatile and the most variable.
This is because it is largely self regulating, with no constant
changing of the bobbin brake tension , as occurs with the Scotch
Tension system. Also there is no need to match drafting rates
to the speed of a driven flyer as occurs in the Scotch tension
design. The Irish brake system is the same system as used in
modern mills today. The only variation is they have their bobbins
mounted vertical instead of horizontal.
The Irish Brake system (bobbin driven) can alter the type
of yarn by three methods.
- Alter the speed of the driven bobbin. This affects the twist
rate only.
- Alter the natural speed of the free turning flyer on the tension
device, by setting the brake tension. This alters the draw in
rate.
- Alter the hold-back to the spinner when drafting (i.e. feed
in slower or faster against the pull.)
Consider this scenario:- The bobbin is running quite quickly,
pulling in the yarn, across the free turning flyer. If you hold
back against this effect, the flyer will increase in speed to
match the bobbin speed, because the yarn is travelling over it.
(It will overcome any tension effect on the brake cord.) With
the bobbin and flyer now running at the same pace, no yarn can
gather on the centre of the bobbin, so you can keep holding the
yarn in one place for a couple of minutes if you wanted, and
the yarn would not break. The twist effect will continue and
the yarn will curl up. This is due to the yarn being at right
angles to the turning bobbin. This additional twist can be dissipated
in a long draw, when you are ready. The effect is to self regulate
the excess twist. Obviously holding onto the yarn in the same
spot for a couple of minutes would be excessive, but it illustrates
the function. If irregular drafting is happening, because of
difficult fibre, the flyer will change speed to suit what is
happening and any unevenness of the twist, will self regulate
between the point of loading on the bobbin and the pinch fingers.
Out of the three designs - i.e. double banded, scotch tension
and Irish brake design, the latter is the most versatile and
easiest to get good results, even with irregular drafting.
There has always been a little bit of bias against the bobbin
led design. This was because of the traditional leather bearings
that are normally used. They can create a fairly strong draw
in, if they are not properly lubricated with vaseline or grease.
Light sewing machine type oil is ineffective in the leather bearings
to give the flyer absolute free turning. As the flyer speed determines
the pull in rate, without good lubrication, the free turning
flyer will run slower ( the same effect as applying the brake
cord). The pull in, then may be excessive for the type of yarn
wanted.
Spinning cotton or short fibre could not be handled. Also
the making of a soft fluffy type yarn can become difficult. The
adjustment on the tension cord on the flyer can then only alter
the draw in rate from a medium pull in, to a heavy pull in rate.
If the flyer is lubricated well and is absolutely free turning,
a very light pull in would occur. ( no brake tension applied.)
In this situation you can regulate the draw in rate from next
to nothing, right up to as strong as you wish. Unfortunately
this impact of lubrication on the Irish Brake design ( bobbin
led ) is not fully understood by most people. They then would
proceed to experiment with the tension device, making things
worse for themselves.
After many years of practical research, and studying new and
old designs in spinning equipment, we believe that the one and
only disadvantage in the Irish Brake design has now been eliminated.
We have done this while still maintaining all of its advantages
over the other 2 basic spinning wheel designs. We have been using
a special polymer product for flyer bearings on our Irish Brake
design,since 1995. It has many characteristics the same as the
traditional leather, i.e. bends easy, will not crack and maintains
its shape. The big difference is that it reduces the friction,
allowing the flyer to run very freely. In theory, these new type
of support bearings do not require any lubrication with the steel
parts, however I still advise people to still use the vaseline
to get maximum life. The tension device still works the same
but now gives a range of pull in rates from next to nothing to
strong. To achieve the strongest pull in {rarely needed} wipe
off the vaseline from these special flyer bearings.
With this improvement now featured in the Roberta electronic
spinner, it makes it the most technically advanced and user friendly
hand spinner available in the world. Great for the beginner,
as well as the production spinner. Makes thin lace yarn through
to rug yarn, from any type of fibre, without any changes or modifications.
The large jumbo bobbins are very suitable for the Roberta spinner
{with the Irish Brake bobbin led system }as the increasing loading
diameter of the jumbo bobbin does not have to be constantly adjusted
as would occur on the Scotch Tension system. {note:- standard
or regular size bobbins are still available}
The tension device for the flyer is unique to the "Roberta".electronic
spinner The nylon running in the groove of the steel orifice
piece creates little or no friction. The resistance (created
by the spring) is transferred to the flyer bearing surface, inside
the hole. As this is lubricated, the easy surface enables the
speed of the flyer to remain absolutely the same for days of
use. When experimenting with the adjustment, take it in very
small doses starting with no tension first. Ease the tension
on a little, until the right pull-in of fibre is felt, relevant
to your pace of drafting. Always start your spinning work with
a reasonable motor speed level. {creates the twist rate} Then
alter your flyer tension to give the exact pull in rate. Once
your tension is set on the flyer, there may no need to alter
it again, regardless of how the diameter of the bobbins grows.
{which is a necessity with the scotch brake or flyer led system}
After a while you will know exactly where the slow/fast knob
should be, and it can be left at that position all the time.
Alterations to the speed knob will only affect the rate of twist.
What I have descibed with the Roberta electronic spinner sounds
very technical, but many spinners who get their hands on a "Roberta"
say immediately. "this is great". When asked why, they
cannot quite explain. They just know that they have the flexibility
in their hands and do not really understand the design and why
it occurs.
Stopping and starting on the switch is easy. Take your free
hand behind your pinch fingers to operate the switch. The machine
stops instantly - no run on like a treadle wheel. If you are
a person who likes to keep both hands in place at all times,
you can consider the inexpensive and optional pause control .
Use your elbow, thigh or foot to pause the spinner. Very comfortable
to use. This can be fitted quite simply at any time if you already
own a Roberta electronic spinner. When re-starting again, the
bobbin speed comes back immediately, but this does not matter
if you are not matching this speed, because of the self regulating
free turning flyer, as previously described.
The special bearings are very useful in the overall design.
Traditionally leather has been used (we did use it on the "Roberta"
for 17 years). Some minor problems have occurred with people
not appreciating the design and forgetting to lubricate the leather
bearings, or either, using the wrong lubricant i.e. sewing machine
oil. The latter soaks away rapidly in new leather and is useless.
The effect was undue resistance in the hole causing a slower
turning flyer, giving a stronger and more direct pull to the
bobbin. Until the leather bearings had settled down (about 8
hours use) the full versatility of the "Roberta" could
not be realised. By this time, some people who did not appreciate
the design, or the instructions given, had decided they did not
like it. Now the special bearings gives instant and full performance
straight out of the box on arrival.
It is important to read the operating instructions with the
new Roberta spinner to get a full understanding of its ability.
We never consider reading the instructions first, after all,
we are an expert in spinning aren't we? Of course, we all read
instructions before we run our new toy, don't we? Aren't instructions
for when you are in trouble? Well, some people are like that
anyway.
I trust this technical information, will allow you to experiment,
and achieve the maximum potential the Irish brake design can
give. Should you have any question about getting the most your
spinning wheel do not hesitate to contact the undersigned.
Ian G Spark
Manager/Proprietor for Ertoel Wheels
ERTOEL WHEELS
Specialists in: ELECTRONIC SPINNERS AND CARDING MACHINES (Hand
and Electric)
"The best spinning equipment available at a reasonable
price"
Factory 7/45 Vinter Ave, Croydon, Victoria, 3136
Fax and Phone (03) 9725 6253 E mail:- crowng@connexus.net.au
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