I love the idea of magnets instead of screws!! Keep that feature. I don't use the yarn spikes. Just never got a good feel for them so it's easier to not use them. I like that it's heavier, and I like that we have the ability to even add something to make it heavier, like sand.
I like the magnets instead of screws. I like the yarn spike because I can place a cone on and warp my heddle loom better than tossing yarn in a bucket. I definitely am excited about the wider base and I can add pennies to weigh the Kate down. Great engineering! Looking forward to ordering this.
I love the two part base, magnets, and yarn spikes! It might make sense for people to put whatever they are using for additional weight in plastic, fabric, or net bags before putting it in the base.
@@DreamingRobotsBlog An interesting idea to add weight to a base like this would be to put down a layer of plastic wrap over the bottom of the base. Then fill the area with plaster (adding fishing weights or topping with washers if desired.) When the plaster hardens the plastic wrap could be trimmed or removed. Then you would have a custom weight that could be removed when you don’t need it.
I LOVE your use of magnets instead of screws. It makes things a lot easier! As far as the yarn spike goes, I don't use it on my original style lazy kate because my yarn cakes are wider than the base, so they constantly catch on the tension supports (? not sure what to call them?) The wider base will, hopefully, prevent that! In the video, it appears that it is just about the right width. As long as it is wide enough, I will definitely use the yarn spikes! That is my only disappointment with my lazy kates. The ability to add additional weight is a nice improvement, too!
Love the improvements! I like the idea of optional yarn spike. Would love an option to hold cones. I use corned threads for plying and it would be great to use with cone winder that I backed!
Skip the yarn spike- I never use it. A smaller spike for better bobbin fit might be nice- it is sometimes fiddly to get the eew6 bobbins to slide on!. I don’t have a need to upgrade from your current version, but if I didn’t already have it, I can see the value in your upgrades! Maybe it will be included in the kickstarter for your Pro wheel?
If the bobbin shaft were tapered at the top, I think it would work well for both bobbins and yarn cakes. I love this and am looking forward to purchasing 4 of them!
Maurice, I love your new design. Wow! I'm going to buy one once you get these available. I like the magnets and I think I would use the yarn spike cover, although I'd like this design either way if cost becomes a major factor. I'd be willing to pay a bit more for the spike cover. This version of the Lazy Kate is wonderful. Chelle - a Nano2 and EEW6 customer.
Love this idea. I have not used the spike much maybe 2 times as it is to unstable and I just end up pulling the whole unit off the table when I try to use the yarn. I would say if you sell these as a set that you can offer either with or without. I can see that the remodel would be a lot easier to use. One option would be to include only 1 spike with a pack of 3 lazy kate. The smaller size option would be great also but maybe maybe make it an add on option. Keep up the Great designs.
All the modifications seem like good improvements. The post lip is a good one and I like that there is a smaller post for smaller holed bobbins. The yarn spike is nice, but I have yet to actually use a device like that. Perhaps it could be an optional add on? I think the magnets might be better than screws over time. With screws holding the base and top together, the plastic holes could be striped out if they are opened and closed multiple times to change the weight. On the other hand, the screws may be more secure especially if sand is being used so that it doesn't potentially spill out.
Your point about the screws stripping the holes over time is a good one and something I've considered. That said I don't think most people would be putting weight on and off. Still I'm sure a small number would and that is one of the reasons I tried out magnets (my first version used screws).
The smaller rod is a great change. I'm not sure I would use the spike, maybe an add-on? The ability to weight is great, but sand is not my preference. Knowing me, I'd drop it. It would pop open, and I'd have sand everywhere. Same issue with the shot. Actually, it's probably worse. The magnets are good idea. When I'm plying, I like my lazy kate at an angle. Helps to keep the bobbins from jumping and provides a bit of tension. What about a stopper on the end? Does the rod attach to the base for storage? I'd worry about losing it. As usual, hou have some great ideas!
Add-ons are a pain for me so I probably won't do that with the spikes. I try to minimize the options as it makes shipping faster and easier. I also wasn't super happy with the sand. I'm thinking large metal balls or maybe clay/playdough. There are a lot of different low cost thing that could be used around the home bought at a hardware store/online. I'll come up with some better options before I do another update. There will be some stoppers for the top. I'm still deciding if I should just use the rings like the previous version or do something more custom. Rods won't attach to the base. That adds a some cost and in my poll that feature didn't have much interest. I think most people are happy keeping all the parts in a bag or just leaving it assembled.
I understand not wanting to do add-ons. Makes sense. I believe the rings would be sufficient, unless the bobbins has a larger diameter hole. Plus the rings are movable to accommodate different size bobbins. Knowing me, I'd lose them so hope they would be an easy replacement. I've thought about what to use as a weight. There are several that come to mind, washers, piece of wood. I'm not sure any would give enough to truly matter. The rubber feet may actually be all that's needed. Or attaching it to a board. Have you considered making it on an angle?
I love the magnets. I think the yarn spike as an optional additional cost would be more than fair - I would never use 4 spikes at once, but I would use 4 sections of lazy kate to ply!
Love it! The magnets are perfect, I really liked the idea of the yarn spike because it’s so nice for affordability but I haven’t used it because I was gifted some beautiful wooden ones (I’m a sucker for beautiful woodworking) but they would be great for travel. The wider base looks awesome.
If there were a version with the smaller base size of the narrower one that connected along the long side with neodymium strip magnets instead of the puzzle piece connection… I would far prefer that. Especially if the screw catch holes were still included. I had the yarn spike early on but never had any interest in using it. I just use storage bobbins with the bases - I had the integrated shafts which broke almost immediately… but the holes the broken shafts left behind were absolutely perfect for inserting sections of 1/8” darice dowels or XL bamboo skewers. If I’m using the EEW lazy kates, it’s not at home, and the smaller base is essential for fitting everything I need for a fiber fair in a single Zuca bag + duffel. Since I also need to bring cotton cards, a couple different Valkyrie combs, lots of fiber that can’t be compacted much without consequences… compactness and true flat packing is super important to inclusion in my Fiber EDC setup
I love your designs and appreciate the engineering that goes into your products. ✨ I’ve never used the spikes. I like the magnets. I think I’d prefer something so I can use a clamp on one to attach it to the table, (rather than weighing it down) and relying on the magnets / puzzle connectors to hold the other bobbins. I travel a lot so the weight would be difficult to deal with. Would it be possible to connect them to the side too, for if we’re plying 4 strands? I bought a second set of lazy Kate’s from you just for that one extra for sock yarns, but arranging them like 4 on a dice rather than in a row would be easier to deal with. Thank you!
I will describe how to use clamps with these. I don't think I'll include a clamp though because not many people wanted that feature. However, you can get a low cost clamp at the hardware store and use that quite easily.
I'd definitely use the yarn spike as I cake my yarns and it is a great way of avoiding tangles although I like the ones with a rotating base so the ball can sit on the rotating part and rotate as the yarn comes off.
I don’t actually have this lazy kate, but planning on getting one when available. I think making a second joining spot on the side, so that they could join in a square configuration, instead of straight line, so that it doesn’t take up as much space, might be a nice feature.
The modifications look great! I especially love all the magnets and the wider base. I haven’t used the spike covers I have, so I don’t find them a necessity.
I love all of the improvements. I like using the yarn spikes with the lazy kate. Would you consider making the yarn spikes an optional component? Depending on the diameter of the hole, you might be able to use metal washers for weights. I can't wait for the new lazy kate to be available to purchase!
I don't like doing optional components because it adds complexity for my store. So instead I will probably either include the spikes or not. At the very least, I will let people 3D print and sell the spikes, but I know that isn't ideal for people wanting to order everything from one place. It seems most people don't use the spikes, but enough do that I will include them if I can make the pricing work.
I had one of the spikes break when I dropped the kate on the floor. I'd wonder if having a smaller diameter spike would make it more fragile. I do use the spike cover.
I want to make the STL files available, but I need to make sure they work reasonably well. If I release files that don't work well then people will complain and I don't want that happening. The main issue is the rods will break pretty easy when printed and there are lots of supports required because I designed this with injection molding in mind. I still think I will release them, but I want people to know that they won't be nearly as good as the molded ones. You will also need to get some parts like the magnets, stoppers, and elastic.
Love the new design! From a Maker stand point, I'd say to keep the diameter, but make the lazy Kate post round and tapered like the yarn spike. Basically combining the two designs. As for the magnets v screws, I'd say screws. Granted they would be a bit more work at first. However, needing to remove any sand that spilled into a carpet if the magnets didn't hold, for me, would be a serious consideration.
Random thought - could you put the attachment point/screw hole for the rod/spike/whatever on the inside of the bottom piece to stabilize it more? When you were putting the bobbin on the thinner one it wobbled around quite a bit. If you had it screw into the bottom piece, then slide the top of the lazy kate base over it and down you could probably stabilize it a bit more if that makes sense. Just thinking out loud here haha. I'm really partial to having a lazy kate with metal rods so I'll probably pass on this product, but I really love the idea of using the magnets to keep parts together. And having the base have space for weights to be added? That's pretty genius! I would love to see a vertical version personally. I have such limited room that even that design would be "too big" for me. Having a version that could be stacked upwards, like taking your existing design and turning it sideways (and adding some sort of base it sits on) would be absolutely fantastic. Good luck with the project, can't wait to see what other things you make.
Thanks for the feedback. The rods and other pieces here are 3d printed. The final version will be molded ABS which is much strong and stiffer. I also kind of wanted to make the rods metal, but in my poll that wasn't a high interest feature. Plus that would add a lot of cost so I decided not to do it. The plastic rods do work quite well.
Hello Maurice! Did you ever consider coming up with a Drum Carder for those spinners who like making their own fiber blends but cannot afford commercial drum carders and the blending board blending being too time consuming?
Will the tabs on the new ones fit the old bases? I will probably order a new set when they become available, but I would really prefer that they be able to attach to the ones I have already.
You have a lot of thoughtful improvements. I am concerned that the thinner bobbin shaft could snap especially since this is the one I would be using. Also what’s the benefit of having a wider base now that you have a way to weigh the base down? Will the new ones be 3D printed? I’m looking forward to more info since I plan on getting the new version.
Wider adds stabilization and so does weight. Together these add more stabilization and basically I'm trying to make sure it covers all the case. I'm still deciding if I want to make this 3d Printable. This is really designed for injection molding. The issues with printing this is it requires a bunch of supports and the rods are quite weak. I don't want to release a 3D file that doesn't work very well. The molded version solves all the downsides.
