Model of Grimston's twine-balling machine, patented in 1860.

This quarter-scale model is of a machine for winding balls of thread, yarn or twine invented in 1860 by Thomas Grimston, a shoe-thread manufacturer of Clifford, in Yorkshire. Its main innovation was the circular index plate at the side, making it possible to preset the weight of the ball to be wound. Before this, the machine had to be stopped so that the ball could be removed and weighed by hand. Another arrangement automatically changed the winding speed in order to produce the final covering layer on each ball. These features saved time and labour, and allowed a single operative to supervise a greater number of spindles. The model is made of iron and steel. It closely resembles the patent specifications, and was made around the same time that the patent was obtained.