Name/Title
Carding machineEntry/Object ID
2026.08.01Description
'The Duchess' carding machine manufactured by James Smith Woolen Manufacturing Company, Philadelphia circa 1870.Use
The purpose of the carding stage of the textile process is to align the fibre staple into thin webs in preparation for spinning. The cleaned wool is fed into the carder via the input apron and lickers in.
As the wool moves toward the output end, it is picked up off the swift by the workers, then brushed off the workers by the strippers and deposited back onto the swift. This particular carder has 6 sets of workers and strippers. Once the fibre reaches the fancy, it can travel around the swift again to repeat the process or the fancy will brush the fibre off the swift. It is then picked up by the doffer and deposited onto the drum barrel to form a batt. Fibre takes less than 20 seconds to travel from the lickers in onto the doffer.Context
An integral part of at least three fibre mills on Vancouver Island, the carding machine was most recently in full production mode just a few kilometres from Heritage Acres, at a mill on McTavish Road. It has been donated by T. Brennan and B. Nicholson.
This machine, once powered by a water wheel is a marvel of the industrial age. Still in full working condition, this is one of the oldest operational carders in North America. She is lovingly referred to as "The Duchess"
