Description
Highlights From This Issue
This issue contains an article about the reproduction of one small tabletop or laptop spinning wheel and an article about the restoration of another. They provide insight into the design and construction processes involved. A reel with both a clicker and a clock is described, and we learn of a few signed spinning wheels that have the experts puzzled.
A Tabletop Spinning Wheel
Confined to his home workshop last spring, David Bryant returned to a project he had started some years ago: the reproduction of a small boudoir-style table spinning wheel based on a wheel built by John Jameson of York, England (c. 1780–1802), that he had restored earlier. However, unable to obtain some materials, he adapted his plans based on his extensive research into Jameson’s wheels. He walks us through the process he used to create a lovely wheel.
Restoring a Little Spinning Wheel
When Erika Keller acquired a small laptop parlor wheel, she found some unusual features that complicated restoring it. In one case she had to create a tool to release the supports for the drive wheel. She describes the steps involved in fixing other parts to make the little wheel ready to spin again.
Painted Reel With a Clicker and a Clock
Gordon Moat found a reel with both a clicker and a clock in an antiques shop. He discovered that it could be used with the gears engaged or without. He describes the unusual structure, mechanics, and the detailed painting. He wonders if anyone else has seen a reel like this.
Inquiry: A Wheel Marked RT 1847
Sometimes even the experts find some spinning wheels that puzzle them. Michael Taylor tells about three wheels with a strange bobbin/flyer configuration marked RT that he and David Pennington have found. He speculates about the possible geographic origins of these wheels and hopes one of our readers might be able to help.
Errata: Maine Wheel Makers
Craig Evens clarifies a question about the spinning-wheel maker Hannibel Thompson’s lineage with help from Brenda Page. They introduce another Maine wheel maker, Marlboro Packard.
