Some called me out on it yesterday, yes there are two CSM’s.¬† Long story that I’ll eventually share, but suffice it to say I am weak and bought two of them.¬† The first purchase was in fact the eBay find, “no-name” as it isn’t labeled in any way.
I knew buying one on eBay was a bit of a crapshoot.  It could either be a lump of cast iron or a wonderful working machine.  While I hoped for the latter, I expected the former.  Sometime after placing my bid, I tripped on another yahoo group and found someone in the area who was selling a refurbished machine for a very decent price.   we all know I bought that one 
– the Auto Knitter.
The AK came with a 72/36 cylinder/ribber.¬† Works beautifully.¬† Only problem is my wee feet and that even with reduced needles, the socks were generally too big for me.¬† The yellow ones from the weekend were felted a tad smaller and fit fine.¬† The Duet Skinny are superwash and I’d have no such luck.
No-name came with the 72/36 combo, but also a 54.  This would allow for socks with fewer stitches without long gaps between stitches.  Just what I wanted.  It also has the side benefit of handling up to a worsted weight yarn.  I set up no-name Monday night with the 54 and some of the needes that came with it.  The thing cranked well in one direction, but would jam in the other.   A number of things could cause this, including mismatched needles or not enough oil. 
So last night I tried something else.¬† I took the 72 out of the AK and put the 54 from no-name in it,¬† using AK’s nice new matched needles.¬† It worked beautifully, in both directions!¬† I even made a bonnet to use for starting each sock.¬† YAY.¬† Small socks for me on the horizon.
Since that went so very well, I wanted to see what I could do with no-name.¬† I first tried AK’s 72 in no-name, but it was a tad too tight and I didn’t want to damage either piece.¬† I took out no-name’s 72.¬† It fit beautifully, turned oh -so-nicely, but as I went to put in a few of AK’s needles, found that the spring that holds the needles in was missing on the cyclinder.¬† I borrowed the spring from AK’s 72, popped in a bunch of needles and was able to go in both directions without binding.¬† I filled her up and cast on.¬†
See for yourself:
AK on the left and No-Name on the right
Both are working.  Sorry for the color.  The waste yarn is not quite that ugly, but close.  The camera exaggerated perhaps a tad.
I’m curious to know what No-Name really is.¬† I “think” it might be a Legare #400 as I’ve seen photos on web sites that are identical twin to this machine minus the badging.¬† There is absolutely no identification on it at all.¬† Here are more photos of the two side by side.¬†
(click to make big as always)
    
   
I promise to move off the machine thing for my next post
I’ll leave you with a picture of the cat we all know and love:
Craft on!
