Company FAQ

Yes, for domestic orders, the minimum order amount must total $50 (not including shipping). International orders are subject to a $125 minimum order amount. Some specific items have a MOQ (minimum order quantity) due to the way they are packaged and stocked, or due to batch production requirements.

By default, orders are shipped PPA (prepaid and added to the invoice) by UPS Ground from our facility in Graham, North Carolina. FedEx is an option, however orders shipped through FedEx require advance planning since we do not have a daily pickup service with FedEx. USPS can also be requested for some shipments. We can also ship collect by UPS and FedEx using customer provided account information. Large bulk orders (Creel caps and adapters) are often shipped on pallets by LTL freight carrier. Items in stock are usually shipped within 1-2 business days. If an item is not in stock, we can estimate delivery upon request.

Due to the number of items we offer, and with changing supply and demand dynamics, we do not offer a published price list. Please make a direct inquiry for current pricing and availability on specific items.

We can establish open terms after reviewing credit references. We do also accept credit card payments; however, our website is not set up to accept card data. Please contact us by phone to relay any card information associated with an order.

Unfortunately, we regret that 3D images are not available. Some 2-dimensional drawings may be available, and many items (such as eyelets) have dimensional measurements which conform to basic shapes.

Ceramic guide materials are mostly either alumina oxide or titania for most applications. Some shapes or designs may be better in one material, but not another depending on application. Some yarns do run better on certain materials and finishes, so please communicate details on your yarn type and process if you would like guidance on the best possible material.

For many uses, the standard polished surface is sufficient. However, for certain types of yarn (elastic, textured, etc.) a special finish can yield better results with less tension and fiber damage. We can recommend if a specific engineered surface finish is likely to yield better results with your specific yarn and processes in mind. These engineered surfaces are not available in all product materials, and typically have a higher cost and delivery time. 

It is not recommended to press fit any ceramic. Ceramic is fragile, and when compressed it can fracture, which can result in damage to the guide and also to the yarn that may run over a fractured part of the ceramic. We recommend affixing ceramics using an industrial grade 2-part epoxy resin adhesive. We can recommend specific products for optimal fit when you specify what size hole or slot a ceramic is to be installed into.

No, we do not offer ceramic coated guides. There is a concern that coatings can fracture, and the resulting fiber damage may not be apparent immediately. Solid ceramic guides, when fractured, are more likely to reveal evidence of damage to necessitate immediate replacement.

Yes, custom production is possible, however there will be a minimum order quantity for production purposes, and the average delivery time for custom ceramic production is around 4-5 months.

Most ceramics are within +/-0.1mm tolerances. If you need exact measurements for a guide, please request this information, as the finished part dimensions may differ slightly from the posted measurements. Please be aware that ceramics shrink drastically when they are fired in the kiln.

Tensioning is an essential aspect of quality control to establish or maintain the stability and consistency of your yarn or wire as it is being processed and packaged. Improper tension control can result in yarn packages that are difficult to handle in subsequent processes (e.g., fabric production, dyeing and finishing, etc.).

Effective tension ranges can vary due to many factors, with the device being just one component. Most of our tension devices are suitable for imparting 10-60 grams of tension. Some devices can impart around 100 grams of tension. Very few of our devices can apply high tension (more than 100 grams), but please discuss your needs so we can recommend options for your yarn tensioning needs.

This is a complex question, as the different types of tensioners have their own strengths and weaknesses in handling certain types of yarn or wire. We recommend a discussion with one of our staff to recommend options based on your process needs and budgetary considerations.