The Whole Craft of Spinning by Carol Kroll

The Whole Craft of Spinning by Carol Kroll

Author:Carol Kroll
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9780486140476
Publisher: Dover Publications
Published: 2012-07-17T16:00:00+00:00


Reconditioning an Old Wheel

Even if major repairs are unnecessary, most antique wheels will need some attention. Start by examining the driving band. Most treadle wheels have a single, continuous band connecting the drive wheel and the two small pulley wheels that are part of the spinning assembly. The two loops or halves of this continuous band cross on the underside. Some treadle wheels have only one pulley and only one band running between it and the drive wheel. There are even some wheels with two separate driving bands, one to each pulley ; the majority, however, have the one long driving band, drawn twice around, as described above.

If the driving band needs replacing, attach a new one of cotton cord. As I indicated before, I prefer parcel post string. Use a size that fits the grooves of the wheel. Some spinners also use Venetian blind cord, or even candle wicking. Don’t use anything that will slip or stretch—leather, for example—or you will be constantly taking up the slack and adjusting the tension on the band as you spin. To replace the band, turn the tension adjustment so that the mother-of-all is situated about half as far as it can be moved toward the large wheel. Then draw the band around twice, in two loops, crossing the two loops between the wheel and the pulleys on the underside. When you have the band in place, tie a small knot, or sew or splice the ends together. Then apply a bit of white glue to the joined ends to make the joining more secure. When the glue has dried, put on a dab of beeswax at the joining point. Then turn the tension screw to take up any slack in the driving band.

Check the axle to be certain that it is clean. Remove the pulleys with the flyer and the bobbin, to be sure that the spindle shaft is free of greasy lanolin and rust. A light sanding and a little grease solvent will clean a rusty or sticky spindle in no time. It’s also a good idea to put on a light coat of metal polish, if you have some handy. The insides of the bobbin and flyer pulleys should be cleaned out by pushing a pipe cleaner through several times. It may also be necessary to smooth a few rough spots on the flyer hooks, or “hecks,” which might otherwise snag the yarn or keep it from passing easily onto the bobbin.

Lubricate the axle that supports the large wheel with petroleum jelly or graphite (such as lead pencil shavings). Grease the tension screw, too. Oil all other movable parts with 3-in-1 Oil, regular household oil, or sewing machine oil. Don’t forget such things as leather bearings, the area at the top of the footman, the spinning mechanism, and any movable parts on the treadle support.

If the wheel has been refinished, check the groove that the driving band rests in to be certain that it has not been refinished too. If by chance it has, roughen it a bit so it won’t be slippery.



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