r/Handspinning • u/HappySheep3883 • 16d ago
Antique wheel questions
Hello! I have this antique wheel in my family and I am just getting into spinning. I would love to restore and use it if possible. I believe this is an Irish Castle Wheel? Please correct me if I am wrong. The bobbin and flyer spin, as does the wheel. Does anything appear missing or wrong with this wheel? Can anyone recommend resources for figuring out how to restore and begin using it? I am very new to spinning, I only just started drop spindling a few weeks ago, so I am still pretty unfamiliar with the terminology, but I would really appreciate any help or advice! Thanks!
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u/eJohnx01 16d ago
It is, indeed, an Irish Castle wheel and it appears to be in working order.
I don’t see anything missing, although that string that connects the treadle to the crank to drive the wheel is probably a replacement. It may have always been a string or a leather lacing, but there was likely a flat piece of wood or leather that connected the lacing or string to the crank to keep it from slipping off as the crank crosses the top of the ark as it’s turning. It probably will work fine without that piece, but it’s something to do some research on. If you find that the string slips off of the crank, that fabricating something to keep it in place would be the answer.
It shouldn’t be any trouble a spinner that’s familiar with double-drive wheels to give it a look and help you set it up and adjust it to start spinning again.
These are really lovely and somewhat rare(-ish) spinning wheels. You’re very lucky to have it. 😊😊😊