Hello to all, and welcome new members! It's great to see that our group has been very busy, and as of late so have I. While checking the prices, and the Fringe Twisters available I decided I wanted a unit that would gave me less wear and tear on my wrists, while still remaining economical. How does $ 7.44 sound for a great rechargeable, cordless, Twister, that doubles as a studio power screw driver with a two year warranty sound? Well, that's what I have with this little unit. The cordless driver was purchased  at Home Depot on-line with a sale price, and free shipping for $ 7.44 delivered. Since I had the alligators clips, and wire brush mandrel on hand, with a piece of hardwood in the scrap box the price remained very low. Even if you purchased the driver at the store with the original cost of $9.95,along with the clips and center mandrel at around $7.00 It is still a great deal for under $20.00. I also made a bracket with a thumb screw from odds and ends to insure the twister head stays put on the driver.Add another buck for the thumb screw! The rotation is reversible at 140 to 150 rpms,allowing one to easily count the number of twists. You will notice the clips do not rotate individually, as with the store bought model at $40-50. I have found that this doesn't seem to effect the quality of the twisted fringe.The picture is of an eight strand cotton fringe that has been well tested in the washer and dryer.To use it is simple, just twist two groups of 2-4 strands in the same direction until a knot appears, then typing the two bundles together with an overhand knot always maintaining the twist tension. Allow the bundles to reverse twist around itself, or you may power it back with your Twister. In an effort to maintain twist tension, as well as free up my hands,I also made up a little unit which I call "Helping Hands", with a couple of clips it will slide along my work table as my work progresses.Perhaps you already own a power driver making this project all the more economical! I would suggest a light weight electric screw driver as opposed to a screw gun as  you will want to avoid the fatigue of a heavy unit.Good luck! Regards, Frank

Comments

Wed, 09/07/2011 - 00:54

THE OZARK WEAVERS (not verified)

Have not had the 'twist'n-urge-before','cept way-back when I could 'CUT-A-RUG', but since '79, been doing ' WEAV'N-MORE-THAN-DANC'N ', so maybe I'll 'GIVE-THIS-THING-A-WHIRL', as soon as I can get all the 'MAK'NS-TOGETHER'

KEEP'M-COM'N-FRANK, WILL-KETCHA-LATER !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Tue, 09/06/2011 - 21:03

TheLoominary (not verified)

That's the spirit! I gave up dacing along time ago too, but I've always remained "On The Fringe" Wink! Good luck with your projects! Frank.

Wed, 09/07/2011 - 04:36

SallyE (not verified)

You do beautiful wood working, Frank.   You are also making me think about those little fringe twisters. . . . .  A couple of days ago my husband came home with a broken printer that he found in the trash.  He took it apart and it was full of little gears to move the paper along.  I'm wondering if those gears could be hooked to the aligator clips and the motor could be used to turn the gears.  Of course the clips should turn in the same direction so it might require a central gear and little ones around it, or a drive belt arrangement. 

Like I said - you've got me thinking!

Wed, 09/07/2011 - 13:34

TheLoominary (not verified)

Thanks SallyE, with recycled gears and odds and ends , perhaps a retro "Steampunk" version? It all starts with an Idea then on to the adventure! Good luck, and keep building! Frank.