Posted by frank sadro on Monday, 6 December 2004, at 9:45 a.m.:
What do I have? I believe it to be a carder. It was built by family (not for resale)circa civil war. It stands about 3-4 ft tall having a small platform with four short legs. A center post has three spools (one atop the other) attached sideways on the right. Towards the top of the post on the front are three horizontal posts facing forward (one atop the other). I am not sure they are functional.They are attached to a vertical bar at the front into which is installed a small rotating cylinder from which protrude 6 spokes the ends of which are capped with circular guides about 8" long with raised edges for containinment. As you face this wheel in a sailing ship fashion one spoke has a protruding handle to crank the wheel.
Any ideas?
Frank.