Home › Topics › Beginners

Spinning Wheels?

montanason's picture
Sun, 2008-02-24 11:50 — montanason

I have just joined the site and also just had my first drop spindle class. I'm already hooked. I want to get a spinning wheel and have my eye on the Ashford Joy. Can anyone out there offer some advice? Thank You for any help.
Phillip Rolfe

‹ Intro. Hello and such ›
Thu, 2008-02-28 07:57 — QueerJoe
QueerJoe's picture

I learned how to spin on an

I learned how to spin on an Ashford Traditional and I loved and hated it at the same time. The tensioning was very unreliable and would seemingly change for no obvious reason.

I've since purchased a Louet and a Robin wheel...both of them are similar to each other in a lot of ways and very different than the Ashford I learned on.

Now that I've had a lot of spinning experience, I think I'd like to go back and work on an Ashford to see if it was the wheel or just me being a lousy beginner spinner.

I would recommend asking spinner friends to borrow a wheel, or join a spinning guild if you have one nearby where you could try out as many wheels as possible.

Tue, 2008-02-26 07:09 — MMario
MMario's picture

Get the behind me, spawn of

Get the behind me, spawn of Satan! no, wait a minute - that leaves nothing between me and the wheels....that is not good.

AAARRRRGGGGHHHH!

(I will *not* add another fiber addiction. I will NOT add another fiber addiction. NONONONONONONO!

MMario - ambiguity is cultivated, it doesn't happen in a vacuum!
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/MMarioKKnits/

Mon, 2008-02-25 22:17 — VillageKnittiot
VillageKnittiot's picture

I currently have 2 wheels.

I currently have 2 wheels. My first (and most reliable) is an ashford Joy. The best part about it is that it is more portable than the others. The Joy was designed to fit into a standard overhead compartment of an airplane. How convenient!! Although it has it's own Lazy Kate, they are just basically spool holders. I am thinking about investing in a true Tensioned Lazy Kate. My other wheel is a Clemes and Clemes (www.clemes.com) It is the 'modern wheel' made in the bay area, California. its is a double-drive wheel. Still trying to get used to it. The Joy is a great little wheel. It has multiple drive ratios so as you become more proficient you can change the ratios if you start doing smaller gauged yarnsj and the scotch tension is very easy to figure out. If you have some $$ to throw at the hobby there is always the Schacht Matchless. It is a dream to spin on. If you want to see spinning wheels as works of art? Check out http://www.dropspindle.info/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=3&Itemid=105

Sun, 2008-02-24 13:15 — trpc
trpc's picture

I started out with an

I started out with an Ashford traditional (used), hated it at first, but later it became my workhorse. Most of the people in my spinning group have some kind of Ashford. The Joy is a very good looking wheel-it seems like a gothic arch to me. If you're going to be plying, you might want to look at bobbin size and see if you can use the Ashford bulky flyer and bobbin assembly, which I bought it at our local spinning store and installed myself. I bought a Majacraft Rose new and love it, and I've heard good things about Louet and Schacht wheels. I also have two handmade wheels and they're great. Some places rent out wheels for you to learn on, or you can just go to a spinners meeting and try out everyone's wheels. Nobody ever seems to mind. Good Luck!

Sun, 2008-02-24 15:09 — ulf
ulf's picture

In my oppinion Ashford looks

In my oppinion Ashford looks better but Louet is more functional and easier to use. Good Luck!

Sun, 2008-02-24 12:11 — Marshall
Marshall's picture

I'm so jealous .. I tried to

I'm so jealous .. I tried to learn drop spindle and couldn't figure it out. Good luck with the spinning!