My Great Wheel

Posted byPegg ThomasPosted inHand SpinningTags:, , , , , , , ,

After years of looking and wishing, I finally found an intact Great Wheel on Craigslist at a price I could afford. I’m beyond thrilled to be spinning on this piece of history. It works great! Such a testimony

to craftsmanship in days gone by. Enjoy the photos.

Intimidator at home 8-29-16
as it arrived
The Intimidator
cleaned up and spinning
front detail
front bench detail
spindle back
spindle from the front

 

 

spindle front
spindle view while spinning
wheel end shot
wide wheel
wooden screw
detail of the tensioner
The Intimidator and Suzie
gorgeous wheel beside the modern day Majacraft Suzie
tension screw and nut on the bench
tension screw and nut on the bench
wheel post opposite wheel
wheel post opposite wheel
wheel post rough side
wheel post rough side
bench pitting
bench pitting
wheel nail joins
wheel nail joins
wheel nail head
wheel nail head
interior wheel hub with metal reinforcements
interior wheel hub with metal reinforcements
axle with brass fitting
axle with brass fitting
tension screw and nut undone
tension screw and nut undone
back legs glued in
back legs glued in
front leg and underside of screw
front leg and underside of screw
wheel hub - spinning side
wheel hub – spinning side

Published by Pegg Thomas

Pegg Thomas lives in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula with Michael, her husband of *mumble* years. She creates American stories with real history and fictional characters inspired by her ancestors who immigrated here in the mid-1600s. Pegg won the 2019 FHL Readers’ Choice Award for novellas, was a double-finalist for the 2019 ACFW Carol Award for novellas, and a finalist for the 2019 ACFW Editor of the Year. She was a finalist in the 2021 FHL Readers’ Choice Award for novellas. Pegg won the 2022 Selah Award for historical romance and placed 2nd with her second entry. She was also a finalist for the 2023 Selah Award and placed 2nd for the 2024 Selah Award. Pegg spent 3 ½ years as the managing editor of Smitten Historical Romance. When not writing or editing, Pegg can be found in her garden, her kitchen, or sitting at one of her spinning wheels creating yarn to turn into her signature wool shawls.

8 thoughts on “My Great Wheel”

  1. I have a wheel almost an identical to yours! 🙂 I would LOVE to know what you finished it with? its quite beautiful and you made that old dry wood look like its radiant and glowing!!!
    thanks in advance for any helps!
    Michele

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      1. oh such a quick reply!! thank you!!! well, i found your post in the Ravelry Spindle group thread! and when i followed your link i about fell over! LOL i have pictures of it when i first got it in my ravelry stash! i am kindredcottage on ravelry!

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    1. I found it on Craig’s List for $50. It was intact, but in poor condition. A bottle of Feed-N-Wax brought it back to life, and I had a new spindle made for it because the original was quite frail. I kept the original, but I don’t use it.

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  4. Can you send me a plan for your new spindle? my husband bought a new one, with two wood “reels” for a line to the great wheel, but i have fitthings for a spindle with only one “reel” – just like you have on your wheel..

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    1. I don’t have a plan, I purchased it from Bobbin Boy (you can Google him) and sent him the measurements he requested, then he made the spindle. It was very reasonable too, if I remember correctly, it was under $30 including shipping. What you have – it sounds like – is a Miner’s Head (the two reels), but Bobbin Boy could help you identify that if you send him photos.

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