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- HDBW
Why would someone want to buy a Heavy Duty Ball Winder at this high
price?
For years we were told by shop owners that they were sick and tired
of replacing their plastic winders that they used in their shops.
Why were they using plastic winders in the first place you may ask?
Well, they were the only units available in volume and they worked very
well. Until they broke a gear or two or the small tabs on the front
broke off.
If the gears broke, then the unit would make a terrible noise and
skip. Some shops reported to us that they went through 2 to 4 ball
winders per year at $20 to $40 each, every year!
Plus, the small plastic winders could not make big balls.
Nor could they be electrified.
Other than that, they were great (and we mean it). The small plastic
units made some of the most consistent balls on the market.
The wooden units on the market had their own idiosyncrasies.
They used a paddle wheel design for a handle system which was awkward
to use.
They tended to be out of balance.
They had a rotating counterweight system which could hit your
knuckles.
Still, they did make big 1 Lb balls and worked reasonably well.
The motorized units could only make 8 ounce balls and some versions
were recalled and removed from the market. Some used plastic components.
Enter the "jumbo" units. Plastic versions of the small plastic units
with a number of modifications. These were capable of making 1 Lb balls.
However, they had twirling metal rods which were used to allow the user
to feed 2 yarns simultaneously. Whatever the user did, they should
always keep away from these rods. They are dangerous.
The Jumbo units used an interesting counter spinning system in which
the spindle was turning opposite of the rod direction which tended to
put excessive tension on the yarn. We believe that they did this to
solve another problem but in the process they created a new one -
too much tension.
Users reported that the Jumbo had too much tension even if they did
not use the built in tensioner device (which was not necessary).
Other than that, the Jumbo does a good job of making big balls.
None of these units can accept yarn other than from the rear of the
winder which is a major limiting factor in positioning the winder. Why?
Because of their designs.
They all have a unique spindle positioning system which can only
accept yarn from one location - the rear of the ball winder.
Handles - They all have small plastic handles which the user cannot
grip completely with their hand.
Clamps - their clamping systems are small and inadequate in our
opinion. They cannot accommodate thick table surfaces.
What does the HDBW do to solve these problems:
We have a large wooden handle which is comfortable to use and very
powerful. You are driving the winder, the winder is not driving you.
Comfort - Our big (high torque) handle is located in the
traditional position and is not awkward to use.
Location - You can swing the yarn guide post on the HDBW in 5
directions. This means that you can position the Ball Winder anywhere
and accept yarn from a number of locations.
Speed - The HDBW has a 5 to 1 ratio (this means that one turn
of the handle rotates the spindle arm 5 times). The other units do not
have such a high turning ratio which means they are slower in winding
yarn. Do not be fooled by the twirling arms of some units. With all of
their motion and goings-on, they are less efficient at putting yarn on
the spindle. We have run time trials and they are slower even though
they initially appear to be running very fast.
Clamps - our custom designed clamping system securely fastens
the unit to the table surface without wobbling. It is the finest
clamping system available for ball winders.
Spindle diameter and size - we have the largest spindle
available (2" x 6"). This means that each rotation of the spindle wraps
more yarn than any other machine with small spindles (height and
diameter).
Gears and belts - we use commercial grade Swiss made plastic
gears that are many more times thicker than any of our competitors. Our
gears will never break. Gears provide a more sure-footed drive system
than belt systems which can slip.
Hardwood construction - beautiful wood construction backed up
by steel shafts and heavy duty gears results in a design that will last
for many years.
Technology - the HDBW is backed up by a design team that is
continuously working on add-on products for the HDBW as well as
accessory products which can be used with the HDBW. This means
that you are investing in a unit that is not just another free standing
ball winder but an important component in an integrated system of fiber
arts tools.
Motorized Version - the HDBW was designed to be both a manual
crank and motorized version. Your investment is protected if you want to
add a motor option at a later date. (Motor option is due later in 2007).
We believe that if you compare and contrast the various units on the
market, that you will agree that ours if the finest ball winder
available. This is why it costs more, at least initially. |
