Question for all Ashford Traveler owners

[Belladune]

Is there a trick to the tension on the break band, or is it just really finicky?  I have to tweak it throughout my spinning.   I find I either get yarn that feeds to quickly and doesn't twist much or yarn that is sooooo twisty, and doesn't feed fast enough.  Thats all in one chunk of wool too, so nothing is ever very even....  My wheel is 10 years old, but had really never been used (she bought it and then never did much spinning.  I guess she didn't find as fun as I do)  So maybe the age of it makes a difference to the answer of this question.

[nicolassa]

I don't own a Traveller, but I think this is just typical of spinning on a wheel with  scotch tension.

As you spin, yarn gathers on the bobbin and makes it more difficult to slow down with the brake band...momentum makes it want to keep spinning.  You just have to keep tightening the brake little by little, in order to adjust for the amount of yarn on the bobbin.  It makes it a little difficult to get the exact same twist-per-inch along the course of the skein, but if you "snap" the skein after setting the twist and before hanging it to dry, the twist will sort of even out over the skein. 

[mullerslanefarm]

Do you have just a Scotch tension or a double drive Traveller?

My first wheel (2002) was a Traveller, double drive with Scotch tension option.  My first mistake was trying to use both the scotch tension (brake band) and the double drive.

I was able to spin anything from cob-weight to bulky weight using the DD on the Traveller.  It wasn't until I got my Kromski Sonata that I was able to master the SD (single drive).

Regardless, as Nicolassa said, adjust your brake band, little by little.  We're talking 1/8 rotation of the brake knob.  You'll get it.  Just takes a little practice and 'reading' your wheel

[Belladune]

I think its just single drive with scotch tension.  She didn't have all the proper papers that would have come with it.  Just the little how to spin book.   
This is what it looks like: 


 

[mullerslanefarm]

You're good to go, Bella.

First place I'm going to direct you is to the Ashford site .  Click on Spinning at the top bar

Then click on Assembly Guides on the left had side bar.

Then click on Traveller Spinning Wheel, Single Drive Assembly Guide

Or just click here

Now, you might want to get a Maintenace kit, so go back to the frame in the first URL posted and click on the left hand side bar for Maintenance Kits

Now, the thing that strikes me with your pictures is that the band drive that you are using is really thick and probably grabs real good.  We're talking less than 1/8 turn for your brake band to adjust.

Yes, it is normal and expected that you adjust your brake band as your bobbin fills. 

Two things you might want to consider, if you don't want to fiddle so much with the brake band .... one cost less than $1 the other a couple 100 bucks.

Instead of that heavy cotton drive band, invest in a poly band (I've used the stuff for pony bead lacing to much success).  That's the less than $1 solution.  You want a higher price (and yes it has more benefits), check into a WooLee Winder.

[Belladune]

Thank you for the directions to the site.  I noticed in the instructions that I am missing a tension spring on the break band, Apparently you need 2, and not just one, as I've got.    Which is probablly why I'm finding it tricky to get the tension just right!  I'm going to add that spring before I spin next time, hopefully it makes spinning la bit less frustrating!  And one day, I am going to invest in that WooLee Winder.  it looks snappy!

[mullerslanefarm]

You can pick up a light weight spring at your local hardware store for far less than what it will cost at a spinning supply store.

And that WooLee Winder ... wooosh!

I will be the first to tell you what a absolute waste of money it is.  How you can get the same results with your regular flyer ................... .....
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until the day you get a bonus check and say, Okay, let's spoil myself and see what this WooLee Winder is all abougt.

Darlin, I am deparately emailing Nathan Lee trying to get a WooLee Winder for my Traveller, DD, Jumbo Flyer.  I've offered my own flyer and bobbins.  Hell, just tonight I offered sending my whole wheel with the Jumbo Flyer and Bobbins.

Yes, it it THAT good.  And this coming from a lady that will pinch nickels our of stones, I am THAT frugal.

I'd offer my first born, but she's 21 already and I believe Nathan is already married!!

[Belladune]

You can pick up a light weight spring at your local hardware store for far less than what it will cost at a spinning supply store.

And that WooLee Winder ... wooosh!

I will be the first to tell you what a absolute waste of money it is.  How you can get the same results with your regular flyer ................... .....
.
.
.
.
.
until the day you get a bonus check and say, Okay, let's spoil myself and see what this WooLee Winder is all abougt.

Darlin, I am deparately emailing Nathan Lee trying to get a WooLee Winder for my Traveller, DD, Jumbo Flyer.  I've offered my own flyer and bobbins.  Hell, just tonight I offered sending my whole wheel with the Jumbo Flyer and Bobbins.

Yes, it it THAT good.  And this coming from a lady that will pinch nickels our of stones, I am THAT frugal.

I'd offer my first born, but she's 21 already and I believe Nathan is already married!!

LOL, first born for a woolee winder....   to funny!  You truely are a fiber enabeler Mulerslandfarm. 
Still haven't given this extra spring a whirl yet, but I will tonight!!!!   If my 3 year old doesn't distroy my wheel.... which he seems in the middle of doing atm.... .

[Belladune]

YAY!  That extra spring make the  world of a diffrence!!!!!!!!!  Thank you so much for directing me to that site Mullerslanefarm!

[mullerslanefarm]

I am so glad it worked for you!!!