Nancy's Knit Knacks is a developer and manufacturer of innovative tools for the knitting and spinning industry. From small notions for knitters to commercial grade winders, both manual and motorized, we offer a complete line of tools for the fiber artist. Our RU-vid videos illustrate many of these products.
I have adjusted my winder and the ball winder spindle keeps sinking and I am getting wonky balls. I have tried adjusting the collar fit but the spindle keeps moving downwards. I am wondering if I am missing a piece inside the winder. I notice that the maintenance sheet talks about a white washer inside the spindle. Does anyone know the specs of the washer?
interested in the electric ball winder but when I go to her site, it directs me to some site called temo, which has nothing I can find regarding the ball winder and her site. Very disappointing. Tried contacting her, but still waiting for a reply. Thinking this site is no more?
I have just received this ball winder which I am told was one of the last three available as the product is now to be discontinued. It is superb in the quality of its construction. The instructions modestly tell me that I now own the best ball winder in the world. I can tell you that that statement is undisputedly true!
Thanks for this video, my winder was doing wonky balls after 4 years of working perfectly. I did the intructions and it now works perfectly again. I did notice that the O ring is beginning to develop cracks. Is there a replacement I can buy? I'm in Australia.
Any advice for when the contact space between the O-ring and the shaft is uneven? When I manually turn the nose piece, it bobbles back and forth so that as it turns, it hits spots that have way to much tension and hold it up followed by a spot with no contact. I have attempted to replace the black o-ring and the wobble still persists.
This is to create skeins of yarn to dye, I sometimes buy beautiful yarns on huge cones and in order to be able to dye it I have to turn it into 100g hanks to dye. This would save hours of effort (which is why I’m here looking at this video as I’m picking one to purchase)
My winder makes a ball in the middle, then it starts making a ball above the middle ball, and then it begins making one below the middle ball. How can I fix this?
Hello, I am having same problems with the wool winder like Kathleen. It is so frustrating that I cannot use this wool winder like in the demo. I also sent it back to the online store for "check up" and they told me all is fine, but unfortunately still having the same problem (yarn goes over the top and underneath), no matter if it is cashmere yarn or silk or merino with silk, lace yarn or bulky, the wool winder does not work properly. (Unfortunately I must say that I do not have any problems with my cheap plastic wool winder-- made in China). For your info: I am using a wooden swift to hold my yarn. Could you please be so kind to send any tip for help. I want to use nancy's knit knacks wool winder so much! Thank you in advance
Hi Bob, I saw your comments on another forum regarding the Russian horizontal winder kit. What is the advantage of your cone winding device versus the kit with the black horizontal barrel? I am a machine knitter and looking for the most appropriate solution to put the most yarn onto a cone. Have you determined how much less yarn your setup puts onto the cone versus those horizontal winders that require so much more weight against the cone/barrel?
this is awesome, I'm planning on adding one to my collection in the next month or two. can I ask for a mini demo on how to use your WPI tool, I think I'm winding the yarn on either too tight or too loose, I'd love to know how to do it properly. Thanks!
Hi I am having the issue that the torc tube thing is to tight on the shaft thing... I have cleaned the unit as instructed in this video but it hasn't helped I like in Australia so parts are hard to get would it need replacing Thanks
+Claire Paul I am sorry if I did not respond to you previously. You can ream the Torque tube out with a 3/8" (.375") diameter bit but we use a .380" bit to properly ream these out so that even if the black plastic material inside the torque tube swells due to moisture or heat, it will not increase in size enough to impede smooth rotation of the assembly. You could use a metric bit of equivalent size but be careful not to bore the hole out too much more than what I have listed. A hole that is too big can also be a problem. Of course you could return the torque tube and we can ream it for you. The tube after reaming should easily slide up and down on the shaft (once you clear the indentation created by the set screw in the collar.
That's probably the black bushing inside the torque tube. Just use a round file or a reamer of some sort to ream out the hole in the black bushing until it spins freely on the shaft.
NancysKnitKnacks I find it unsettling that you don’t respond to people who are having trouble with your winder, but do respond to someone who wants to purchase one. Why is that? Caveat emptor...
The #2 flat screwdriver is only used in the event you do not have a 1/4" hex driver to remove the 4 screws in the base. So you would normally need a #2 Philips screwdriver (or power screwdriver with extender bit), #2 slotted screwdriver (or 1/4" hex bit), an old toothbrush, rubbing alcohol, paper towels, a small vessel to soak the cluster gear and torque tube in, 3 in 1 oil, about 30-40 minutes, and a beer or a glass of wine and some music. Although you are going to have fun cleaning your ball winder out, the drink and the music will make it even better!
thanks so much for posting this! have the tools they recommend PLUS an old, soft toothbrush and just watch this video with your winder. the tools youll need: #2 Philips head screwdriver (or power screwdriver with extender bit) 1/8" Allen wrench A straight #2 (flat blade) screwdriver Optional: 5/16" nut driver and 1/4" nut driver Paper towels Rubbing (isopropyl) alcohol from drug store. Small pointed (sharp) tool like an awl, small screwdriver, or a knitting needle! Q-tips (4-6) Cut one end off and use as pointed tool and use other end to clean gear teeth out.
Please, PLEASE make a video on your "Anything but Lazy Kate." I'm not able to get the most out of this product because some (not all) of the instructions sent was difficult for me to follow, especially threading 3 bobbins together and going through one tension rod. For some reason, I'm not doing it right. However, I love double plying with it and am extremely impressed with the quality and thought that went behind this product. I'll definitely be buying some of your other unique products. Thanks!
Audrey M Sorry we do not have a video yet of the ABLK. You can take all three strands of yarn thru the center post. Remember this is it a spinning machine so it will not spin the yarns together. If you run the three thru one guide it is just gathering the yarn but they will remain separate strands of yarn. Please call if you have questions. Nancy is the spinner and can help you. Bob
When in doubt - clean it out! When your vacuum cleaner stops picking up dirt, you replace the bag. When your dryer stops drying your clothes, you clean out the lint filter. When your ball winder gets hard to turn or your motor slows down (or you start to see "wonky" balls) clean out your ball winder. It is easy and almost fun. But you will really appreciate it when you run your newly cleaned unit. Watch our video on cleaning it and adjusting the o-ring tension.
