QUOTE

I can add images of the drop bobbins if you want

OK  

I just love making you work, don't I?  

:nod: Meg almost has a drop bobbin post ready so please have patience, thanks.  :icon2:

No matter how many times I have read descriptions of spinning, I still have a hard time picturing how it is actually done, and I’ve never had the opportunity to meet those who know the old ways.  I’m particularly interested in drop bobbin spinning.

My wife and her daughter are spinners and both are quite good using wheels or drop bobbins.
I'm a beginning spinner and use a castle wheel that was built in Perth Scotland well over 3 hundred years ago. Right now a small split caused by time in one of the legs is being repaired with glue and a splint. After it drys the leg will be strong enough to with stand using it again.
Over all its in very good shape and shows its age in places but still spins fine sewing thread.



I find it relaxing and interesting to spin some days after work.
I like to spin silk the best, cotton or wool next and i've only spun flax a very little due to its nature and needing to be kept moist whilst plying.
Much of what is spun in this house gets used for sewing and some for threading the looms, my wife Megan is a Master Weaver, but more on that in another forum.

:stupid: Not me, not on this, spinning on a wheel is more then enough thanks.  I just don't think I have the patience for it.
I would say possibly, that you have met those with a few of the old skills that you have sought, at least here in this place at least.
My daughter and wife are the ones I wish could find the time to make a post. Both are accomplished on this type of spinning.
I can add images of drop bobbins if you want.
Meg repaired a crack in my wheel's leg and the splint has been taken off, I need to add that image to a old post.
Never enough time......  :rotflmao:

Sorry David, I just realized I never said where the bobbins were posted at. Sooooooo here is the address Drop bobbins

The wheel has be repaired and on the first post on the front left hand leg you can see traces of where the crack was located.

Here is a couple more pictures of the wheel.

A little closer look.



A lot of time the older wheels will show wear. You will notice that the flyer hooks are wore off from usage. There is only 1 1/2 hooks left on this side. Also note the groves that have been wore into the wood where the thread rubs. Because of this we always use the other side it has considerably less wear.



This is side has fewer groves and there is only 1 1/2 hooks missing.



Some times the treadles are wore with foot shaped groves or indentions often time you can tell that they have be replaced when they became to thin to be used any longer.

Wow..great pics Duncan & Meg! Has quite a few similiarities to mine...still trying to find more information on mine...waiting for a book from the library to come in and help out.

Is it possible to get a pic of yours where the treddle is connected to the wheel? Trying to find out if mine is normal or was actually refurbished at some point to add the treddle.

I can send along some drop spinning pics as well, which is also one of my best areas. Defiantely a great stress reliever. Really boggles everyone when I am seen using the drop spindles...great for waiting for appts, long lines of traffic, etc. LOL

here are the links to my drop spinning projects also posted on the dropspinning thing...

CD drop spindles topics

Mine are a few down, Meg has some beautiful ones posted that are well worth the look on the top!

I'll try to get that image of the wheel you asked for put up today, sorry for the delay.

You can add a link in your signature to your Gallery folders. The programme was supposed to have that feature but it and several more wasn't coded right.
Maybe it'll get fixed soon

The footman on this wheel is slotted and comes off very easy.

Galla you are a very accomplished spinner.

Why thank you Meg! And thanks for the pic. Mine is a bit different, but very similiar to yours. I was thinking it may be possible that it was converted from a handcranked to a pedal. Still not sure. If you have problems with the footman coming off while in use, a former owner of mine has used a thin leather thong to help tie it on to the metal bracket on the top of it. Works rather well and does not detract from the visual beauty or functionality of the piece. Still hoping to discover a bit more about the history of the wheel.

Thanks for sharing! I belive it may be later 17th to very early 18th at this point. Still have a few theories to prove. So is a researchers' life!