Ashford e-Carder 30 Electric Drum Carder
Ashford e-Carder 30 Electric Drum Carder
SKU: EDC30
We'll wind these hanks into center-pull cakes before they ship. Wound yarn can't be returned.
Ships next business day
Order in --:--:-- for same-day shipping
Ships today from our Spokane, WA warehouse if you order by 1:00 PM PT
Couldn't load pickup availability
Details
The Ashford e-Carder 30 is a 12 1/2 in electric drum carder with two motors, one for each drum. You set the carding speed and the in-feed speed separately, start and stop it with a foot switch, and keep both hands for feeding fiber. It makes batts up to 5 1/2 oz, and it arrives assembled and lacquered.
The Speed dial runs the large drum from 0 to about 120 rpm and the small drum follows to hold the ratio, and the Drum Ratio dial sets how fast the small drum feeds in, slow for fleece and faster for a second pass or for blending sliver.
Unwind turns both drums at about a tenth of carding speed, so the batt comes off cleanly, and Forward Blending runs at half speed with the cover open for adding small amounts of specialty fiber. A magnetic switch stops carding when the acrylic drum cover is lifted, a second acrylic cover guards the toothed drive belts, and the push stick that feeds the small drum doubles as a diz, to pull a batt off as sliver.
What's in the box
- The carder, assembled. You seat the packer brush, fit the drum cover's back rail and screw on the tool holder with the tools supplied
- Power pack (100 to 240 volts) and foot switch on a 5 ft cord
- Push stick and diz, awl (doffer), cleaning brush and two table clamps
- Spanner, hex wrench, oil and a side holder that stores the tools
| Carding width | 12 1/2 in |
| Batt | Up to 5 1/2 oz |
| Card cloth | 72 point large drum, 36 point small drum so fiber transfers across |
| Motors | Two brushless, 50 and 90 watt, geared down for slow, controlled carding |
| Power cord | About 8 ft overall |
| Size | 20 in long, 17 in wide, 12 in high |
| Weight | 34 lb |
| Build | Beech hardwood, lacquered, nylon bearings, rubber feet so it stays put |
Spares and add-ons
Spares are the same parts that come in the box. We keep spares of its awl and cleaning brush, and refills of the Ashford oil its bearings take.
For the same width by hand crank, the Wide Drum Carder makes 4 oz batts. For everyday fleece and blending, the 8 in Drum Carder carries Fine 72 or Superfine 120 cloth. For art batts with fabric, ribbon and locks carded in, the Wild Drum Carder's long teeth hold them.
When something does need a person, our wheel tech services Ashford drum carders here in Spokane, we ship their parts anywhere, and Ashford's 12 month guarantee on manufacturing faults runs through us as your dealer. For anything else, call or chat with us.
Ashford e-Carder 30 Electric Drum Carder
Why Paradise Fibers?
Your trusted partner in creativity since 1997. Family-owned, expert-driven, and dedicated to fueling your passion.
Real "Fiberers" on Staff
Family-owned, and staffed by spinners, knitters, and weavers who can answer your questions.
Huge Selection
Over 20,000 yarns, fibers, and tools in stock, and orders ship fast.
Trusted by the Flock
Serving over 250,000 happy customers with a 4.9-star rating based on 10,000+ verified reviews.
Frequently Asked Questions
Lay washed, teased fiber lengthwise on the feed tray, cut ends first, and push it up to the small drum with the push stick, never your fingers. Ashford asks you to wear thick gloves and keep loose sleeves clear. Feed a little at a time and let the drum take it, so fiber doesn't build up on the small drum.
Ashford builds the e-Carder for home use and says it isn't for commercial use. If you're carding for a mill or to sell batts in volume, call or chat with us and we'll help you find a carder built for that.
The power pack plugs into a standard US outlet, taking 100 to 240 volts, and runs the carder at 24 volts. Unplug it at the wall when you're done carding.
Ashford's manual walks through carding, unwinding and blending on the e-Carder. Jo Reeve's Ashford Book of Carding covers drum carding, color blending and four projects. If your first batt isn't coming out right, call or chat with us and we'll help you sort it out.
Put a drop of the supplied Ashford oil on the front and rear nylon bearings every one to two hours of carding, and brush or vacuum out the bits of vegetable matter that drop underneath. Ashford's manual shows how to check the toothed belts, which want about 3/16 in of side play.
You hear two geared motors running. Ashford recommends sitting it on a 20 in square of carpet to minimize operating noise, on the corner of a sturdy bench so the drum cover rests on the table when open.
An overload cut-out stops the motors. Turn the power off, fold the drum cover back, tilt the packer brush up, select Unwind and use the foot switch to turn the drums clear. Then switch back to Forward.