June 22, 2011
Day 10 of Alpacazonia Fiber Collection pilot project
Yesterday was the first day of Summer 2011 and temps reached 100 degrees here. We worked in the morning with friend/neighbor, Michelle Bauguess, who’s helping us sort at $1.00 lb, plus taking bag of tumbled too short fibers home to refill her dog’s beds. Our current sort hours: 8 am to hot, then “cooled down” to 8 pm.
We’re also talking to community service groups to see if folks can help us sort as a fundraising project for their organization.
Fiber Drum Tumblers
We borrowed Daphne Capaldi’s fiber drum tumbler this weekend and now have way more tumbled fiber than sorted. We won’t know our real total until we get through those bags, but current sorted total is at 250 lbs….only 1,750 lbs to go!
Note the plastic bag holders. They used to be sold by Ace/True Value Hardware, but they’re no longer available. There’s a tinker toy like hard plastic connector on the bottom and 2 pieces of metal wire that connect to it to hold bags and four to connect pieces together for base…the best fiber bag holder we’ve found, because bags are easily pulled on and readily removed when full. Great for collecting fiber on shearing day! Too bad manufacturer stopped making this product, because we could use more than the two we own.
Bag holder parts
Connector & assembly1. The tumbler on the left in top photo has 1/2“ screening. (Available via Light Livestock for $2,500. www.lightlivestockequipment.com/fiberdrum.asp ) We obtained our tumbler via a trade for breeding to one of our studs several years ago. Dirt, loose debris and fine fibers fall through. Only one design flaw – door has to be bungeed open when emptying drum, otherwise it can fall forward and knock you out on the top of your head or whack you sharply on your back! Otherwise, well engineered, efficient, balanced and reliable.
2. The tumbler on the right was made by Daphne’s dad and brother, without plans, and has 1” screening. It helps sort out some of the too small pieces, which we sweep up for compost material. Each style has its advantages. Daphne’s tumbler is on wheels, which is a great plus. We advised her to purchase dishwasher replacement tips for tumbler prongs (inside drum to separate fibers while tumbling) and she did. Otherwise, our arms got scraped on the sharp metal edges when reaching in.
3. We tried a borrowed Jiffy Tumbler, but it was too low to the ground and too small a capacity for our “commercial” purposes. (Sells for $975 new, so good value for fiber artists and hobbyists). It is best for small scale occasional use, IMHO. Door is completely removed, instead of hinging open. Beautiful wood work, crafted like a piece of furniture.
Contact: Mary HagenAlpaca Heights & Jiffy Fiber Tumbler LLC
5008 S. Ubly Rd.
Ubly, MI 48475www.alpacaheights.com
4. Stonehedge Fiber Milling Equipment has a drum tumbler that looks well designed, but we haven’t tried it. Looks like it has an easy “open and latch” door of adequate size for reaching into drum. Didn’t find price on web site: http://www.fibermillingequipment.com/ They sell other fiber processing equipment and also have a fiber mill in Michigan.
Stonehedge Drum Tumbler5. MSA Fiber Drum Tumbler http://www.chisholmtrailalpacas.com/Fiber_Tumbler.html $2,750.
Needs to be assembled.
Google and you’ll find more “brands”. We have no financial interest in any drum tumbler manufacturer…info provided just for the sharing.
6. The following link supplies free plans to build your own tumbler. “Welding required”. I like the “handle” on the end for easy portability.
We discovered that on some bags it’s best to presort for length on a skirting table first. Otherwise, too short pieces get jumbled up with longer fibers and results end up more difficult to sort. The tumblers are great for removing sand, grit and general dirt, which would add unwanted weight to shipping costs.
Daphne says Suri fiber is best sorted on skirting table and doesn’t tumble well. ..long or short. However, she reports that it’s easy to accomplish and she’s enjoying the cool silky feel of it compared to hand sorting robust Huacaya! Incidentally, luster is not a factor on short leg/neck/blanket fibers for commercial usage. That’s a “show” criteria, which perhaps factors into elite yarns or fine fabrics and textiles?
This afternoon, all of our girls escaped and were eating garden salad and grapevine leaves, plus our lawn and rose bushes and honeysuckle vines. They meandered up to the fiber barn and we rushed to herd them back to their pens...forgetting to turn off tumbler. An hour later we returned to a mass of fiber that was so matted we had to toss it. Too bad....it would have sorted a lot of lbs for the project. Tumbling should take 5-10 minutes max, just enough to throw dirt out.
Three bags full! The measure is a yard stick. This represents 61 lbs of fiber, with each bag holding around 20 lbs. Volume = about 5’ x 3’. 
To “vacuum pack” bags for more compact shipping, place mesh bag or nylon stocking over end of vacuum (this keeps fiber from being sucked into vac) …place vac extension in bag and seal opening with one hand…turn on vac with the other. When bag is compressed to full extent, slide out vac extension and quickly twist bag end, then secure tightly with sturdy rubber band. Bag is at least ½ smaller and easier to pick up and carry. Sandra
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