HDBW Comparison Info

Why would someone want to buy a Heavy Duty Ball Winder at the high price of $199.99?

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 good ball winders (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.

Some 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 (but later versions have corrected this problem we are told).

Still, they did make big 1 Lb balls and worked reasonably well.

Some of the the motorized units from England could only make 8 ounce balls and some versions were recalled and removed from the market. Some used plastic components and belts which broke/stretched.

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. These twirling rods were potentially dangerous in our opinion.

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 did 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 was this the case? Their designs limited their flexibility. 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. Many force the user to use their wrist in a repetitive manner which can lead to other problems.

Clamps - their clamping systems are small and inadequate in our opinion. They typically 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. In 2008 we started shipping our high-end Power Base and in 2009, we launched our Power Base Lite unit.

Electronic Yarn Meter - In 2009, we launched our Electronic Yarn Meter - the world's first professional grade electronic yarn meter. This meter works with our Power Base unit.

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 System available. When you invest in our system, you are enabling yourself to take full advantage of a yarn winding and measurement system.