Buying a used spinning wheel: checklist and alternatives

Buying a used spinning wheel: what really matters

A used spinning wheel can be a good way to start, especially on a tight budget. But it can also be a pretty piece of furniture that will never spin a usable yarn. Here you will learn how to recognise a good used wheel, which parts are often missing and when a new beginner wheel is the better buy.

Decoration or working tool?

Classified ads and flea markets are full of old spinning wheels that have stood in a corner as decoration for decades. The wood has dried out, the wheel wobbles, the flyer is missing or seized. Wheels like these can sometimes be restored, but it takes time, spare parts are not available and in the end the wheel often still runs unevenly.

Used wheels from makers who are still in business and supply spare parts are a different story. Kromski, Louet, Lendrum and Ashford are good examples. If you know the make and model, you can easily buy missing bobbins, a new flyer or a drive band.

The buying checklist

Take your time when you go to see the wheel and ask the seller to show it working. Check these points:

• The wheel runs true
  Turn the wheel by hand. A slight side-to-side movement is fine, heavy wobbling is not.
• The treadle runs smoothly
  The wheel turns evenly as you treadle, without catching. Look closely at the link between treadle and wheel (the footman or conrod).
• Flyer and bobbin are there
  Both turn freely. Without a flyer, the wheel is only usable with a matching spare part.
• At least two bobbins, ideally three
  You need several full bobbins to ply.
• Drive band in good shape
  A new band costs little, but it tells you how well the wheel has been looked after.
• Wood without damage
  No cracks, no woodworm holes, no glued breaks on load-bearing parts.
• Tension can be finely adjusted
  Whether by a brake band (Scotch tension) or by double drive.
• Make, model and age are known
  Then you can get spare parts and judge whether the price is fair.

What a used spinning wheel should cost

Well-kept wheels from known makers often sell for not much less than new, because they last a very long time. If a wheel costs 80 percent of the new price but bobbins, a lazy kate or a flyer are missing, the spare parts quickly push you past the price of a new wheel with a warranty.

So always add it up: purchase price plus missing parts plus shipping or collection. A new beginner wheel such as the Louet S17 starts at around €390, the Lojan Buddy with wide treadle at around €415. Our best-selling beginner wheel, the Kromski Fantasia, costs around €480. Our comparison Which spinning wheel is right for me? shows you which model suits you.

When a new spinning wheel is the better choice

A new wheel is worth it above all if you are just starting out. While you are learning, it is hard to tell whether a problem lies with you or with the wheel. A freshly adjusted wheel takes that doubt away. On top of that you get a warranty, complete accessories and a dealer you can ask when questions come up.

A used wheel is a good fit if you already have some experience, are looking for a particular model or want a second wheel for holidays or your spinning group. Then you can also tell for yourself whether the wheel runs well.

Tips for the first hours with a used wheel

Before you start spinning, clean the wheel and oil all moving bearings. A suitable spinning wheel oil or a complete maintenance kit is all you need. Then check that the drive band sits properly and is not too tight. Many problems that look like a defect at first disappear with a little oil and freshly adjusted tension.

Then treadle for a few minutes without fibre until you find an even rhythm. Only then attach a leader and start spinning.

Frequently asked questions

Can you still spin on an old farmhouse spinning wheel?
Sometimes, but often only after extensive restoration. Missing flyers or bobbins usually cannot be bought for wheels like these and have to be made. For beginners, a wheel from a current maker is much easier.

How many bobbins should a used spinning wheel have?
At least two, ideally three. For a two-ply yarn you fill two bobbins and ply onto a third. On current models you can buy missing bobbins.

How can I tell if a spinning wheel wobbles?
Turn the wheel by hand and look at the rim from the front. If it moves clearly from side to side, the wheel runs unevenly and the drive band easily jumps off while you treadle.

Is a used spinning wheel a good idea for beginners?
Only if it comes from a known maker, is complete and you can try it first. Otherwise a new beginner wheel is the safer choice, because you can focus fully on learning.

Single or double treadle? Our guide explains the differences: Single or double treadle: which spinning wheel is better?