Homemade - Not pretty - but funtional

[PaulNKS]

Here's the "homemade" spinning wheel that I was asked to post pictures of.

It sure ain't pretty, but it works great. I built it about 15 to 16 years ago... before I had any good hand tools and before I knew much... lol

I used scrap material... dowels, pvc pipe, 10-speed bicycle wheel, leather strip to go from the pulley to the wheel.

Some of the components you could actually buy and then put together.

This first pic is the back of it so you can see how I joined foot pedal. You can also see here, and in the other photos that the base of the ... can't think of the name of it but the parts that hold the yarn... is hinged and has a turnbuckle under it, so that the side facing the wheel can be raised to increase the tension on the belt (leather strip).

http://cedarshillfarm.com/bhmphotos/spinningwheel02.JPG

It has been so long since I've even looked at it that I couldn't remember how to thread it. I threaded a piece of blue yarn through so you can see how it goes... I think. lol those "hooks" are very very small cup hooks that are bent in a spiral. You can see that there are two pulleys. One pulley turns JUST the center where the yarn winds. (I only have one "belt" on it for the pic.)

The whole unit has a dowel that runs through it. I drilled out the center of the dowel to be able to thread the "wool" or yarn through it as it's spun. If you look to the right, you will see it. There is a large cup hook that hold it in the track. The cup hook can be turned to remove the spool of yarn. The reason the two pulleys are sized the way they are, is so that the center can turn faster then the other part to wind the spun yarn on the center "spool".
http://cedarshillfarm.com/bhmphotos/spinningwheel03.JPG


This shows the "Wheel assembly". It could most likely be done a different way, but this way worked for me... There are changes I would make if doing it again.
http://cedarshillfarm.com/bhmphotos/spinningwheel04.JPG


This one shows how the turbuckle can be turned to raise the front portion to increase tension if my belt is too loose.
http://cedarshillfarm.com/bhmphotos/spinningwheel05.JPG

continued......

[PaulNKS]

part 2......

Shows how the turnbuckle works to change the belt tension.

http://cedarshillfarm.com/bhmphotos/spinningwheel06.JPG


This one is just to show the hinges.
http://cedarshillfarm.com/bhmphotos/spinningwheel07.JPG

Like I stated before, it sure ain't pretty but it works.

Paul

[bookwormom]

Paul, I am so impressed.

[PaulNKS]

Thanks, but I'm sorta thinking you're joking with me. LOL...

I had a neighbor back then that had just bought one and taught me how to use it. After pricing them new, I decided to go by memory and see if I could scrap one together. That was the result. lol

I did all of it with just a saw, round file, chisel, and drill. The channels in the pulleys were cut in with chisel and then filed with the round file, and then sanded.

Paul

[flatwater]

No , really Paul , that is impressive, and it works, double impressive. You could be making a few shillings by making those if you could sell them for less then the store bought ones

[PaulNKS]

Thanks flatwater. I'd have to use better materials and spruce 'em up a bit. lol... I hadn't thought about doing 'em for anyone else.

[idris]

worry not about how the other ones look: this is avery good example of made from scratch: and that is all that we need to be able to do.

[mtwildflower]

Thanks for posting pictures of this! I was hoping you would.

I'm impressed too. I think I will try my hand on one after Christmas. Too many irons in the fire to try it before then.

Is the wheel about the same size as the one you kind of copied? Would a smaller one work as well, do you think?

I'll be copying off your pictures and instructions, if you don't mind.

[PaulNKS]

lol.. of course, I don't mind if you copy it. You could use any size wheel you wish. The smaller the wheel is, the slower the "spindle" will turn.

Keep in mind that it actually takes two belts, one on each pulley. I keep saying "two belts" but, actually it's one long belt that goes around the wheel twice and then around each whorl or pulley.

Here's a photo of how it "should" look. lol This is on Wikipedia. Go down to "Double Drive"

Spinning wheels (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spinning_wheel)

Just below it is a photo of a "single drive" wheel.

If you also google "spinning wheels" there are some youtube videos and other information.

Paul

[PaulNKS]

Mtwildflower,

If you wanted to make things easier, you can make it a single drive. Rather than having the spindle or bobbin spin, you could make it stationary and just let the outer piece (can't remember the name) spin. (I think that may be how the single drive works.lol)

[pcrowder]

That is sooooooooo cool! You are GREAT, Paul! Wish I was handy enough to make things like that!

[PaulNKS]

Thanks. At the time I made it, I waned one and was too poor to buy one. lol So, I used leftover pack rat junk to make it. lol See.... I knew that bicycle tire would come in handy some day. lol

[SPIKE]

VERY IMPRESSIVE !!!!

2 questions;
Did you really make much yarn?
What is That ugly truck color? LOL

SPIKE

[PaulNKS]

VERY IMPRESSIVE !!!!

2 questions;
Did you really make much yarn?
What is That ugly truck color? LOL

SPIKE


I didn't do much on it. Other items took priority. I did get a bit of wool and tried enough to make sure it would work.

That ugly truck color? Are you referring to the gray tailgate on the blue pickup? LOL

[CastIronCook2]

Paul, you write well and you have something to say. Why not put this together as a how-to article for Backwoods Home Magazine? I would enthusiastically encourage you in that direction.

[fizzle7033]

I second that!

[cwatson]

Hey Paul I was impressed with your wheel. I showed my DH and asked if he could make me one and he said absolutely not that it was beyond his doing. Dang, I have been wanting a wheel but can't afford it right now. I have been lucky enough to be getting free lessons from a friend but would sure like to have one of my own. I have a drop spindle that I finally learned to us but I like the wheel better. Maybe you can make up plans for us :)

[Grizzy]

I jus love to see enthusiasm... Paul you did a great job and even more importantly... you Tried Hard. I agree with the others in that I betcha folks would buy these. I have a friend in Boston who would give an elbow for one. Great Job!

~Grithy~

[momma_to_seven_chi]

Amazing. It's beautiful.

[PaulNKS]

Thanks all.

I would make up plans if I had any. lol... I just used what pieces of "stuff" I had. If I was to make plans or make another one, I would switch out a few materials. I would replace the PVC pipe for one thing and use rods and bushings or bearings.

Otherwise, it is really simple. The hardest part was the angle of the legs and the size of the second pulley in relation to the larger one. I can't think of the specific names of the pieces.

If I get some projects caught up, I'll see if I can figure out some plans and measurements. I would bet that most homesteads would already have enough material lying around to build one.

One other note... The reason for the bicycle wheel was the weight. It would be much lighter than wood and because of the large diameter.

Paul

[Sheila]

Pretty or not, it sounds like a lot of us are impressed. Innovative, recycling at its best and functional. My hat's off to youl!:yes4:

[MrsL]

I think that's fabulous! OH (an engineer) impressed too. Much more interesting than my wheels LOL.
I'll put a link on my Guild (Weavers, Spinners and Dyers) blog if I may.
I have wheel envy now..............

[PaulNKS]

LOL... Thanks Mrs.L. I needed a good chuckle.

Chuckle envy? You realize the size of wheel really does make a big difference?

Paul