Model of a teasing mill

Model of a teasing mill, also known as a gig-mill, for raising the fibres of woollen cloth, reputed to be 18th century (scale 1:8).

One of the final processes in making woollen cloth was teasing - raising the nap or pile of the cloth by brushing it with teazle heads. The teasing or gig mill mechanised this process. Teazles were fastened to bars on two drums, which rotated as the cloth was fed between them. This 1:8 scale model was operated by a hand winch.

Aside its interest as representing process in textiles manufacturing, this model is also a fine example of the application of metal construction to industrial machines.