First Spinning Wheel: Drives, Treadles and More!
Examining single/double drives, treadles & folding spinning wheels.
Sep 14, 2008
A previous article in this series on spinning wheels discussed wheel styles and drive ratios. This piece further examines the different aspects of the spinning wheel, and what they all mean.
Scotch/Single Drive Versus Double Drive
On the wheel there are two methods to making the wheel and the flyer revolve together with the drive band.
- Scotch/Single Drive – A single drive band connects the spinning wheel to the flyer/bobbin. The spinning of the wheel attached to the flyer therefore causes the flyer to spin, and depending upon where the drive band is placed on the wheel, the spinning ratios are changed. In order to control the braking of the flyer a separate piece of twine is then attached with a spring to the bobbin on the opposite end that controls how fast the yarn winds onto the bobbin.
- Double Drive - Instead of the drive band going around the flyer once, the band is looped and placed around the flyer, and around a pulley at the end of the bobbin. Unlike the separate brake band found on the single drive wheel, the two bands together cause the wheel to brake when the treadles are stopped.
What this means: A single drive wheel is quite often easier for a beginning spinner to learn, as a double drive system can be a bit confusing for the first time spinner.
Single Vs. Double Treadle
The treadles of the spinning wheel are the parts you push with your feet to make it go.
- Single – There is only one treadle that you propel with one foot while keeping the other foot placed on the ground.
- Double – There are two treadles, and each foot is placed on one. While one foot is pushing down, the other foot is pushing up.
What this means: This is almost purely a personal preference. The single treadle, doesn’t normally allow enough space to place both feet on the treadle, but the double treadle will usually function with just one foot if both feet are not needed. The double treadle system is also more beneficial for people with back, knee and leg problems, since not only are both legs being worked equally, but the motion of using two legs at once enforces better posture while sitting.
Folding Wheels
Folding wheels are a relatively new thing to the spinning world. While the Charkha Wheel is old, previous to that there wasn’t much mobility associated with a non-hand powered spinning wheel. Many major manufactures now, however, are starting to make compact, folding, and mobile wheels. Mostly in the Castle style, they are made to be easily transportable, and are made to store. Most are extremely easy to fold and unfold as well, with as little as unscrewing a bolt, unfolding, and screwing it back in.
What this means: If you plan to take your spinning wheel to events, classes, or just for a day out in the park, a folding wheel is much easier to transport,and usually lighter than standard non-folding wheels. Spinning wheels that fold are also really beneficial to people who want to spin, but might not have the space for a spinning wheel when it's not in use.
The next article in the series includes some important questions one must ask before making the purchase.
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