If a picture is worth a thousand words, how about a video?

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In a word..no. Here's why: Over the years there have been many improvements and re-designs to the Strauch Jumbo Ball Winder:

These many redesigns of the Jumbo Ball Winder make upgrading old, obsolete Fricke winders no longer economical. Practically all of the components of the winder have been changed. It's like upgrading a 1986 car so it functions like a 2010 model. By the time you spend all the money to do it... it would have been less costly to just buy a new car!

You'll be much more satisfied purchasing a new, fully functional Strauch Jumbo Ball Winder.

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If you're getting a misshapen ball as shown above, these may be the causes:

• The drive band has stretch out causing the winding mechanism to slip. This easily happens over the years if the band is not removed after you are finished using the winder. Replacement bands are available. Go to the accessories page for details.
• Tension on yarn too tight. This causes the bracket holding the yarn cylinder to bend and hence the winder slips as you crank.
• Make sure there is no fiber packed under the small pulley. It will cause the pulley to be pushed up slightly allowing the wheel holding the yarn to slip on the little plastic cone.
• The base bounces too much. See the section below on The base wobbles.
• Has the bushing under the small pulley slipped down? Compare pictures:

• If the bushing has slipped, put a little glue on the protruding section and use a screwdriver to push the bushing back up into the wood pulley.

If none of these seem to apply, contact us. We'd be happy to help!

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The yarn should flow evenly from the umbrella swift as it feeds through the eye rod onto the ball winder. Keep the winding speed reasonably constant. The yarn should be under a consistent tension, such as running through your hand, as it winds onto the ball winder. If you're forming a mis-shapen ball (a "bee hive" shape, for instance), hold the yarn tighter to increase tension. Winding too fast may cause the swift to get ahead of the ball winder, followed by too much tension when the ball winder has caught up.

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Most of the folks I spoke with when I was designing the clamp indicated that tables they commonly use for the ball winder have a drop down piece of wood under the table so only the outer lip is available for clamping. There is a tendency for the base of the winder to slightly bounce up and down while winding. This may produce an odd shaped ball.

For those who have a deeper clamping surface available, I have designed a clamp extension that will allow the clamp to hold the winder securely on the table. It easily attaches to their existing clamp and eliminates the wobble. It also works great for folks with round tables that do not have a wood drop down.

To order specify part number: 7125. Price for the clamp extension is $6.00 (includes shipping).

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Some of the older winders had feet that were stuck onto the base. Occasionally these would fall of. There is a replacement kit available containing four white rubber feet, installation screws and a drill bit to make the pilot hole. To order specify part number: 7110. Price for the kit is $4.00 (includes shipping).

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There is a new bolt/nut combination that won't come loose. Comes with instructions and is very easy to install. To order specify part number: 7140. Price for the hardware package is $4.00 (includes shipping).

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If the clear plastic cone loosens, screw it back tight. The top of the black set-screw inside the cone needs to be even with the top of the cone. You can slightly tighten the set-screw with a 1/8" Allen wrench to lock the cone in place. Don't over tighten or you will crack the cone!

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The bottom of the yarn guide loop should be even with or slightly above the top of the wooden yarn cylinder support disc as shown below:

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All of the Strauch models contain the ball bearing and use the single clamp design so no upgrades are necessary.

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Yes, you can. They are $9.00 each (includes postage).

Note: To extend the life of drive belts, remove them from the machine when you are finished for the day.

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