01
Compact footprint
Stores on a shelf and sets up on any table. Ideal for apartments and small studios.
Hand-Crank Collection / Traveler
Traveler 6″ Small Drum Carder
A full-function drum carder that fits on a shelf and goes to every fiber festival.
Price
From $445
Made to order in our workshop
Lead Time
Ships in 1–2 weeks
Test-carded before it ships
The Traveler 6″ Small Drum Carder is a full drum carder in a compact, lightweight frame. It fits on a bookshelf, clamps to a kitchen table and slips into a tote bag for classes, guild meetings and fiber festivals. A good first drum carder and a handy second one for sampling colorways before you commit to a big batch.
Drum width6″ (15 cm)
Carding cloth72 TPI, flexible backing
DriveHand crank, belt drive
5-Year WarrantyFrame, drums and bearings
Insured Worldwide ShippingTracked · 30-day returns
Made for
Small Studios · Classes · Fiber Festivals
Small frame. Full function.
Every carder is assembled, aligned and test-carded by hand before it leaves the workshop. Drum gap, belt tension and bearings are set so it runs smoothly from the first fleece, and the solid hardwood frame is finished to be used for decades.
“A real drum carder that fits on a bookshelf and in a tote bag.”
Specifications
Measured, tuned and test-carded.
Furniture-grade hardwood around a precision carding mechanism. Not sure which carding cloth suits your fiber? Tell us what you spin and we will recommend one.
01Drum width
6″ (15 cm)02Carding cloth
72 TPI, flexible backing03Drive
Hand crank, belt drive04Drive ratio
5:105Batt size
Up to 18 g (0.6 oz)06Weight
4 kg (9 lb)Anatomy of the Traveler 6″ Small Drum Carder
Four details that make the difference at the drum.
02
Travel-ready
Light enough to take to classes, guild meetings and fiber festivals. A padded bag is optional.
03
Perfect for sampling
Make small test batts to try color blends before carding a full batch.
04
Beginner-friendly
An affordable first drum carder that uses the same quality cloth and bearings as our larger models.
Built to card the fibers you love
MerinoCorriedaleAlpacaMohairCashmereWensleydaleShetlandSilkMerinoCorriedaleAlpacaMohairCashmereWensleydaleShetlandSilk
9
Carder Models
48–120
TPI Cloth Options
5 Years
Warranty
30 Days
Returns
Customer Stories
Notes from the spinning wheel
Spinners · Felters · Fiber farms
I carded a whole Corriedale fleece in one weekend. The batts come off lofty and even, and the crank is so smooth my husband thought it was electric.
Sarah M.
Hand spinner — Vermont, USA
The 120 TPI cloth changed how I work with alpaca. No more neps, no more broken fibers — just soft clouds I can spin straight onto the wheel.
Elena R.
Alpaca farm owner
I sell art batts every week and the Electric Drum Carder Pro paid for itself in a season. Both hands free, reverse when I need it, and it still looks like a piece of furniture.
Hannah O.
Fiber artist & batt maker
FAQ
Before you order
Have another question? Email hello@wooldrumcarder.com and our makers will reply within one business day.
Which carding cloth (TPI) should I choose?
72 TPI is the all-rounder for most wools and blends. Choose 120 TPI for fine, short or slippery fibers like alpaca, cashmere, angora and silk, and 48 TPI for long-wools, locks and textured art batts. Not sure? Tell us what you spin and we’ll recommend one.
Hand-crank or electric?
Hand-crank carders are quiet, simple and need no power. Electric models leave both hands free to feed fiber, are easier on wrists and shoulders, and suit anyone who cards a lot or sells batts. See our electric drum carder page for a full comparison.
How long does it take to receive my carder?
Each carder is built to order. Most models ship in 1–4 weeks, and the Heirloom Walnut Drum Carder and Mill 16″ Electric Drum Carder take 4–6 weeks. We send photos before it leaves the workshop.
Do you ship internationally?
Yes. We ship worldwide, insured and tracked, in a fitted box. Import duties and taxes depend on your country and are shown before you pay where possible.
What warranty do you offer?
Every carder comes with a 5-year warranty on the frame, drums and drive, a 30-day return policy, and lifetime support with spare parts and replacement carding cloth.
Order the Traveler 6″ Small Drum Carder
Made once, for your fiber.
Choose your carding cloth, hardwood and accessories, or tell us what you card and how much. We will confirm your build, price and shipping date.
Start Your OrderThe Collection
Keep exploring the workshop.
Standard Drum Carder
Simple, low-maintenance hand-crank carder in solid oak, with flicker and doffer included.
$499
Classic 8″ Drum Carder
Our all-round hand-crank drum carder for wool and blends.
From $595
Wide 12″ Drum Carder
Extra-wide drum for bigger batts and faster production.
From $845
Fine Fiber 120 Drum Carder
120 TPI cloth for alpaca, cashmere, angora and silk.
From $695
Art Batt 48 Drum Carder
Coarse 48 TPI cloth for textured art batts and long-wool.
From $645
Electric Drum Carder Pro
Variable-speed motorised carder that leaves both hands free.
From $1,490
Heirloom Walnut Drum Carder
Limited edition in solid black walnut and brass.
From $1,250
Mill 16″ Electric Drum Carder
16″ motorised carder for small farms, mini-mills and fiber businesses.
From $2,890