DIY Wool Fiber Tumbler for Under $100 – From Raw Wool to Roving (Video #1)
Are you looking for an affordable wool tumbler without spending $1,000? You're in the right place! As a fiber artist at Rebel Stitchers, I wanted a wool tumbler to help with my fiber processing but didn’t want to break the bank. After spotting a pricey model online, I knew there had to be a cheaper DIY option. Instead of buying one, I built my own DIY wool fiber tumbler for under $100, and I’m excited to share how you can, too.
Why Build a Wool Tumbler?
A wool tumbler is a game-changer for anyone working with raw wool, alpaca, or mohair. It helps remove vegetable matter (VM), dirt, short fibers, and guard hairs, speeding up the washing, rinsing, and fiber prep processes. And let's face it anything to speed up fiber processing is a great tool to have because every step tends to be a very slow process unless you have full on fiber mill equipment. Although it doesn't eliminate all VM, it significantly reduces it, making the rest of the fiber preparation much easier. Whether you’re processing raw wool for spinning or felting, a wool tumbler is a must-have tool to save time and effort.
My DIY Wool Tumbler Journey
I spent hours brainstorming different ideas for creating a wool tumbler. Some seemed too complicated, while others didn’t feel like they would withstand outdoor conditions. After bouncing ideas around with my family, my husband suggested using a compost spreader as the base for my wool tumbler, and I knew we were on the right track.
We had the cage part sorted out at that point, but it needed a stand to hold it at the correct height and be sturdy enough to handle what I was going to be using it for. Using some 2x4s we had at home, I built a simple frame in about an hour. To stabilize the tumbler, I added a weight at the bottom to counterbalance the power of the leaf blower to blow the fibers clean. The most challenging part was cutting notches in the top of the stand to securely hold the compost tumbler.
How My Wool Tumbler Works
The concept is simple. The wool tumbler spins the raw wool, while the leaf blower forces air through it, removing debris, dirt, and VM. It opens up the fibers and makes the fiber prep stage, like picking and carding, so much faster.
I manually turn the compost tumbler for now, but I plan to add a crank handle in the future for easier spinning. The crank handle will require my dad to weld one on, so it was out of my wheel house to do it myself. Even without the handle, it works perfectly for my needs, especially for fibers like alpaca and mohair. This DIY solution has reduced my processing time dramatically, and now I use it for nearly all my fleeces.
Safety Tips for Using Your Wool Tumbler
Using a wool tumbler can get messy! You’ll definitely want to protect yourself from dust and debris. I recommend wearing:
Noise-canceling headphones (Bluetooth headphones are great so you can listen to music or take calls while working).
A mask to avoid inhaling dust and fine particles.
Safety glasses to protect your eyes from flying fibers and dirt.
Why You Should Build Your Own Wool Tumbler
A wool tumbler is an essential tool for any fiber artist processing raw wool, but you don’t need to spend a fortune to get one. My DIY solution has worked wonderfully for my needs, and you can build your own wool tumbler for under $100.
This homemade wool tumbler speeds up the cleaning and prep process for fibers like alpaca, mohair, and wool. It effectively removes vegetable matter and dirt, saving you hours of work during the scouring and picking stages. The power of a simple leaf blower makes this tool highly efficient and easy to use.
Watch My Wool Tumbler in Action!
I also made a YouTube video where I talk about my fiber tumbler, how I use it, and why it’s a valuable tool in my fiber processing setup. This is the first video in my "Raw Wool to Roving" series, where I’ll share tips on everything from scouring to drying setups. Don’t forget to subscribe to my YouTube channel for more fiber processing tips and tricks!
Build Your Own DIY Wool Tumbler Today!
If this post has inspired you to make your own wool tumbler, I’d love to see your creations! Tag me @rebelstitchers on social media and share photos of your DIY wool tumbler. This affordable solution will make your fiber prep faster, easier, and more enjoyable. Happy tumbling!
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