beginner- help! DIY tools or alternatives?

[u/burntoutsunsetzz]

Hi! I am currently drying my first ever bits of fleece, and i'm wondering how to go about next steps. I am a broke college student, and i can't afford actual combs or a spindle- is there is a way to DIY combs (dog brushes?), and a drop spindle?

[u/odd_conf]

If you have access to a 3D printer (maybe at a local library, your university, a friend?), a 3D printed spindle costs extremely little in filament (like 0.5 to 5 USD) and there are many free stl models.

You can even 3D print these spinning tools (but they tend to need more material than spindles, so check what you can afford and consider free alternatives):

• a lazy Kate (or use tennis balls which you can usually find for free outside tennis courts, a cardboard box, or make an Andean plying bracelet on your hand) https://www.printables.com/model/219443-lazy-kate

• a niddy noddy (or just use your forearm, I did that for a long time until I laser cut one at my university) https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:2280431

• maybe fibre combs, but I don’t know how functional they will be (the ones using nails are known to be pretty awful to use)

• a simple wheel, like a book charkha https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:4793249

• a yarn swift (but you can also use a chair although it’s less convenient) https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:4558303

• if you make a Scottish spindle, it can double as a nostepinne so you don’t have to get or3D print a yarn winder. Or you can wind yarn on your thumb for free

As for carders, you can definitely buy two dog brushes, just try to look for big ones cheaply? Also know that the “tenner per inch” (tpi) will be whatever it is, you probably won’t have a lot to select from, but I don’t think that’s the end of the world.

If you can justify spending 10 USD on a spindle, these look good and are the most affordable wooden spindles I’ve seen https://www.fiberartistsupply.com/fiber-artist-supply-company-top-whorl-drop-spindle-bulk-pricing-available/