This is V3.0 of the DIY Hackle. I made this one with plastic hair picks, a board and some screws. Tools that I used were a drill and an angle grinder. You really only need the drill. I used the angle grinder because it was handy and quick.

Here is the finished deal. 42.5in across…

Start by getting yourself some picks and screws. I use self-tapping sheet metal screws. Why? Because they work and I’m lazy. I don’t have to drill out any holes beforehand or anything. Just lay the pick in place and screw away. The picks are from Target. They came in three packs of different sizes for $2.50. I used the larger two sizes from the packs.

The next thing you’ll need is a board. How long? Well however long you want to make your hackle of course. This one is 42.5in. That just happens to be what fits well where I want to use it. The board needs to be thick enough not to split when you run the screws into it. This one is only .50in thick, but very hard wood.

Then you screw the picks to the board…

This is where I ran out of the largest size picks at.

Starting on the smaller size picks.

Now you have all your picks on…

You can stop right here and call it done if you want to. You just need a surface to clamp it to and a button to pull your fiber through.

I don’t like having the handles still on the picks. So I cut them off. To do this I use an angle grinder. It’s fast and easy. It’s just plastic tho so however you want to cut them should be just fine. Or not. Whatever.

Be Careful! This plastic will get hot and melty if you use any high speed tool to cut it with!

Also trying to staple into them will not work well….

Now go and find a table to clamp your new hackle to and have fun!

Here is a picture of the hackle V. 2.0. We can still use this one. Just get more fiber on the new one :)

Ok here are some videos. They aren’t all that great quality wise, but best I could get right away.

Loading fiber onto the hackle….

To see a larger version of the video click here.

Taking the fiber off the hackle and making it into a roving strip….

To see a larger version of the video click here.

And just because it’s cute. Ellie climbing around the hackle….

Another site with good DIY Hackle info page The Spinner’s Tale.

Shea made a hackle with combs instead of pics. Take a look at it here.

Also anyone who makes one and makes a blog post let me know and I’ll link to ya. Or if you don’t have a blog and would like to post about it let me know and I’ll make you a page here.

Stumble it!