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KCShaw
Gabber Extraordinaire
USA
393 Posts |
 Posted - 12/04/2005 : 2:41:44 PM
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I have a wheel I inherited and have no clue what it is or what it can do. Searching the internet it appears to be a traditional type, Ashford looking.
What should I look for to help me determie what its all about?
Any help would be appreciated. It appears in great shape, but the treadle part has a torn piece of leather, which looks replacable, but not sure how it atttaches.
thanks :) |
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RoseByAny
Permanent Resident
USA
12598 Posts |
Posted - 12/04/2005 : 2:45:10 PM
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You might contact Dave at the Merlin Tree (I don't remember his website, but know I've found it through Google)
He's FABULOUS - a great guy, knows more about wheels than anyone should, and is unfair with his prices - that is, I don't think he charges enough. He'd be able to tell you what kind of wheel it is, and make any replacement parts or repairs needed, if it isn't readily available.
Good luck!
"Choose your friends by their character and your socks by their color. Choosing your socks by their character makes no sense, and choosing your friends by their color is unthinkable."
http://RoseByAny.BlogSpot.Com |
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Jim
Warming Up
USA
93 Posts |
Posted - 12/04/2005 : 8:14:33 PM
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| If it looks like an Ashford tradional wheel, chances are that is what it is since there are so very many of them that have been made and used. If it is a strap looking piece of leather that attaches the treadle to the footman( piece of wood that conncts the treadle to the wheel) it probably is fastened with two screws, one end to the treadle and one end in a split in the footman. If so any piece of old belt or animal collar leather can be cut and used and fastened with wood screws. For repair leather I use calf collars from the local feed store. Good luck. |
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KCShaw
Gabber Extraordinaire
USA
393 Posts |
Posted - 12/05/2005 : 10:30:36 AM
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| I found another picture that says Saxony that resembles it closely. I'll take a picture today and get it posted. Thanks Rose :) Ill get a hold of him, good to know someone knowledgeable. I got a belt and went to cut my piece and see maybe a screw is broken. Nothing looks like a hard fix though, just sat for a while. I cleaned it all up, looks beautiful, seems to spin very smooth and straight. I dont think anything else is missing. I can get a picture to Dave maybe. Im getting excited! |
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Lissa
Permanent Resident
USA
4942 Posts |
Posted - 12/05/2005 : 11:26:43 AM
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Saxony is the style of the wheel, not the manufacturer. The basic styles of wheels are saxony, which have the flyer mounted next to the flywheel; castle, where the orifice is either atop (most common) or in front of the flywheel (these wheels are usually smaller than saxonies); and great wheels, which look like saxonies on steroids.
Lissa
During times of universal deceit, telling the truth becomes a
revolutionary act. -- George Orwell
Oh, and I now have a blog:http://knittnlissa.typepad.com/knittnlissa/ |
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Lanthir
Warming Up
USA
54 Posts |
Posted - 12/05/2005 : 11:47:11 AM
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A good question here, if it is an Ashford Traditional, is whether it's one bought in kit form from the Ashford company, or if it's one built from scratch using a pattern.
Does it actually say "Ashford" anywhere on it?
"And we shall call it 'This Land'"
Firefly |
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SpinaYarn
Gabber Extraordinaire
USA
492 Posts |
Posted - 12/08/2005 : 10:27:11 AM
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Lissa- you crack me up .... saxonies on steroids! How true that is!!
KC - maybe you could post a photo and add a link to here, and we can all take a look to see what it might be. There are soooo many wheels out there, some hand made and valuable that at first glance might look like an Ashford, but are not.
knit with joy-
Teyani
www.http://intrepidfiberwizard.blogspot.com/ |
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KCShaw
Gabber Extraordinaire
USA
393 Posts |
Posted - 12/12/2005 : 8:46:40 PM
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| ILl get a picture tomorrow and post it..thanks ! |
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KCShaw
Gabber Extraordinaire
USA
393 Posts |
Posted - 12/14/2005 : 11:44:38 PM
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Thanks for helping me get an idea what to do with this wheel and what it is. Ignore the other deisngs on the blog, its perpetually under construction.. http://cozyattic.blogspot.com/
Here are 4 pics of the wheel, and no markings can be found. |
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RoseByAny
Permanent Resident
USA
12598 Posts |
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KCShaw
Gabber Extraordinaire
USA
393 Posts |
Posted - 12/15/2005 : 08:49:34 AM
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| Thats the first one I saw, it looks almost identical. I dont see a name thouhg, but virtually dont see a difference. |
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KathyR
Permanent Resident
New Zealand
2969 Posts |
Posted - 12/15/2005 : 3:04:32 PM
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I believe what you have is an Ashford wheel. Before 1981 or 1983 (???) Ashford's did not put a stamp on their wheels. I own an an Ashford traditional which doesn't have a stamp and it looks very similar if not identical to your one.
KathyR
Rudeness is the weak man's imitation of strength. |
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Vanadia
Gabber Extraordinaire
Denmark
511 Posts |
Posted - 12/15/2005 : 3:59:30 PM
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That wheel looks exactly like my Ashford Traditional. Picture here on March 23rd. http://strikkeforsker.blogspot.com/2005_03_01_strikkeforsker_archive.html
It is from the early 70's according to customer service at Ashford. Mine has no stamp.
Be aware that the flyer on older Ashfords is smaller than current ones. New bobbins are (almost) too large to fit. Guess how I discovered that..... This also means that the jumboflyer and laceflyer will not fit on, but extra parts are needed to install them. Check Ashfords site for information on assembling the wheel and fixing problems: http://ashford.co.nz/home/home-frameset.htm
Contact their distributor in the US for info on spare parts etc. The leather thing you can probably buy from e.g. the Woolery.
It is a great wheel and I have spun everything from lace weight silk to bulky on mine, though my Jensen Tina II gets most of the attention now....
Ulla
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KCShaw
Gabber Extraordinaire
USA
393 Posts |
Posted - 12/15/2005 : 9:44:01 PM
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thanks for all the the help:) I called the site Rose gave me, it verifys what you are saying too. Tim from the site, also says is its a very old Ashford. We discussed bobbins and changing something to dbl whorl? I got some parts, I did measurements, so Im hoping the parts fit. I know its been around my family from longer then the early 80's. OH it does look exactly like yours Vanadia!
Well when stuff arrives Im hoping to get spinning. I have been practicing with a top whorl spindle and some merino, Im told Ill enjoy the difference on a wheel from the spindle. |
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KCShaw
Gabber Extraordinaire
USA
393 Posts |
Posted - 01/03/2006 : 12:15:05 AM
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All my parts arrived at Christmas. Night before last I played with spinning and had a bit of trouble chewing gum and rubbing my head. It felt like work for both of us( both myself and the wheel)!
I took her apart and cleaned and reset everything I could. She got lightly sanded and steel wooled , then a new coat of deep conditioning stain and sealer. I buffed her until she looked like she was polished. I adjusted screws and cleaned and reset everything I could, then waxed and oiled all those little spots.. WOW, what a difference. Sooo pretty, and silent and very little effort now to get her flying. Now if I can keep up!
Tomorrow morning I get to spin!
KC |
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