Monday, May 23, 2011

I Got a SPINNING WHEEL!!

I looked on Craigslist and found a listing for a "Great Antique Large Wood Spinning Wheel".  I tried e-mailing them and calling them all weekend and didn't get a response.  I called again this morning and they answered!  It turns out it was at a business (estate buyers) so they were gone on the weekend!  



I paid $150 for it!  It seems to be a double drive wheel (missing the drive band!)


The treadle isn't attached to the footman, but that is an easy fix (they had it wired together)


The flyer is held to the maidens with leather pieces. I can't get the bobbin off the flyer (I'm assuming it should come off!) and the bobbin spins "gummy"


The bobbin has a notch in the whorl and I'm not sure if that will affect the drve band postitioning 


There is a crack along the underside which doesn't seem to affect the stability/soundness of the wheel


The crack runs up the front to the Mother-of-all

There is one minor crack on the wheel


and part of the decoration is missing on the drive wheel support

There is a slight crack in the drive wheel support.  There is also a plugged hole.


another plugged hole in the base


This is what was in the hole to keep the wheel from coming off.   I don't think it is what was used originally and there is only one.


Andy saw me trying out the treadle and he went over, gave the wheel a spin and put his little foot on the treadle! 
 Can any spinners out there give me any more information about my wheel or how to figure the bobbin/flyer disassembly?   UPDATE:  I found out that the whorl screws on opposite of how we're used to, so I was able to get it off ☺ 

8 comments:

H J Hess said...

Try contacting Mark at http://www.tat-man.net/. He is always helpful and knowledgeable.
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You could also contact Linda Philpott, the spinning/weaving guru at The Yarn Shop (http://www.knittingincharlotte.com/). You can email her at RainyDayInc@Pinevilledsl.net. Tell her I recommended you contact her. She is the sweetest and so helpful.
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Hope this works out for you.
HJ
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Amy :) said...

Wow, I hope you can figure it out! It is beautiful and it would be so awesome to be able to use it. :)

A.G. said...

That looks so fun! Can't wait to see how it goes. (:

Mieal Deneb said...

They probably made the whorl screw off opposite so that it doesn't work it's way loose when you're spinning...it's a theory, I don't know anything about spinning wheels really. Just don't prick your finger on the spindle! ;)

Rachel

Becky Dempsey said...

Nope, no spindle on this spinning wheel. That was the old kind without a flyer.

AllyB said...

Hi Becky! Congratulations on your acquisition. I know several people from the Antique Spinning Wheel group on Ravelry were watching that wheel with interest. I love the color. The previous commentor who suggested that the whorl turns opposite of what you think is correct. Just carefully turn the whorl clockwise and it should come off. For a test drive, kitchen cotton works great for a drive band (don't make it too tight) and to tie your footman to the treadle. Good luck and have fun!

Tammy said...

I don't know anything about spinning wheels...but have fun! :)

Wild Wool Farm said...

Oh it`s beautifull,congulations