Yarn Swift for Beth

I got the idea to build Beth  a new swift when we went to Portland last summer and saw a vendor who was selling tabletop models that broke down for easy storage.  The design was rather simple and I knew I could make one for next to nothing.  After hearing Beth swearing about her current swift was a piece of crap, I decided to start this project.  I found some notes posted on the web from another woodworker that had the same idea and started the woodworking.

I built it out of 3/4" ash left over from the bookcases I blogged about in the post below.  These swifts don't require much wood to make (2 pcs 3"x24" and 2 pcs 1"x36"), so the whole project goes fairly quickly.  The toughest part of the project is getting the center holes aligned and drilled so it will spin true.  The prototype isn'rt perfectly centered but is close enough to spin effortlessly when Beth has a skein of yarn on it.

The design is nearly identical to the link above, with all parts able to be disassembled for easier storage.  The base legs and spreader arms go together using bridal joints with the whole assemble held together with a 4-1/2" bolt, a few washers, and a plastic knob.  I added a jam nut under the plastic knob to prevent too much friction being added from over-tightening.  The center hole of the spreader arms has a brass sleeve inserted to prevent run-out in the drilled hole.  Below are photos of the parts and the assembled swift when completed.  It takes less than a minute to assemble.  I finished it with 3 coats of a satin wiping varnish. The pegs were left bare wood to avoid staining or marring the yarn.  I already have a request from one of Beth's fellow knitters for another one!