Huh, you're right, how did I miss that?    Glad you're on the ball, MLF!

Don't worry about the questions, I had plenty of them when I was new!  You can use just about anything for a drive band.  I use a crochet cotton(about the size you would tat with), but a bigger yarn would work too.  I know someone that uses fishing line.  Just about anything string like! You could spend about $10 and buy a plastic one that won't stretch as easy.  I haven't used one yet so I can't really compare.  I would just use whatever you can find to get started.  It will be easier if you can get someone else to help tie it on.  Try to get it as tight as you can, I have a hard time with that and have to adjust the tension like crazy. 

I'm so glad it was that easy!

what about making something like this? I have found a bunch of different instructions for making a lazy kate in the past, but I'm too lazy to look right now haha.

I've seen a couple of ladies in my spinning guild use something like that.   Glad that between the two of us we could cover all the bases for you freestyle!

I've always cut my singles then tied them together.  No, I don't know why so stop asking silly questions!

The new Kromski Minstrel jumbo flyer kit was my Christmas present.     I haven't had a chance to use it yet.       We did get it put in though.

I have no idea, but it is a really neat looking wheel.   The whole flyer assembly does seem backward.  The whorl is in the complete wrong place for the drive band(is that the word you were looking for?) to fit over it and the fly wheel at the same time.  Which it has to do to work.  Maybe it was assembled wrong?  Can the two posts(the maidens) the flyer assembly rests on be switched?

Hopefully someone else will pipe up too.

It looks like he has a cheaper swift on his etsy store for 22.99.
http://www.etsy.com/shop/ScottsMountainCrafts

http://ourlair-faren.blogspot.com/

Spinning, knitting, dyeing, other crafts and life in general.

I bought my swift from this fellow.  http://scottsmtncrafts.com/yarn-swifts.html
Looks like he changed them a little from the one I bought, these have a non-folding, prettier base.  My only issue is you have to have the ball winder at the same level as the swift, which really isn't a problem.  Oh, and make sure you don't screw it on too tight.  You know, cause it has to turn and all. 

Don't think I can help with the Lazy Kate issue, I bought the Kromski arched kate.  Have no idea how it would work with Ashford bobbins. 

PS. The babies are so cute! Congrats ladies!

Love this show! Not sure if I could swap, but maybe!

I'm pretty sure you need 15 posts before you can join a swap.  So make sure you take a look at the swapping rules before we start the swap!  The 15 posts can include replying to other people's projects, so it really isn't too hard.