Restoring a spinning wheel

[Allan at Wallan]

A local lady has just purchased this spinning wheel which unfortunately
is incomplete. Some parts are missing and some are broken. I have been
requested to restore it if possible.

I have established, through the assistance of "Wheelin around" that it was
originally made by Percy Brooke who lived in Mt Waverley Victoria. It would
have been one of the 150 spinning wheels that he made between 1969 and 1982.

Interestingly he was born and educated in Yarra Junction Victoria, about ten
miles from where I lived as a youngster.

I am interested in gaining any photos, literature, dimensions etc. of the wheel
as I want to make it as "good as new" again.

The Melbourne base of the Spinners and Weavers' Guild have offered to publicize
my plight in their December newsletter which is very kind of them.

If you have any comments I would be grateful to hear from you.

Allan
Spinning wheel six.jpg

[Skew ChiDAMN!!]

D'you know what it originally looked like? eg. The broken section would've held a "double-L" distaff, but I imagine Wheelin' has already given you links to pix?

It looks like a good little project.


Oh... yeah... here's a hint to ingratiate yourself with the owner. Make a couple of extra bobbins, so she has at least three or four to use with it.

[wheelinround]

Good on you Alan hoe someone else may have the same wheel.

Skew I did this link has some amazing info worth book marking Australian Spinning Wheels: Makers A - E

The Book wheels are 2nd one down identical to Alan's project.

[Allan at Wallan]

Good news department!
The Spinners and Weavers Guild of Victoria publicized my plight in the December
newsletter. A lady from Riddells Creek, about 35 minutes from here, has two Percy
Brooke wheels and has invited me to come over this Friday, take photos and dimensions
and discuss any other aspects of the spinning wheel. If necessary she can refer me
to a chap who has retired from renovating wheels but is willing to offer advice.

Looking forward to the challenge.

Allan

[ian]

Great news Allan.
Just remember that at 77 you are too young to "retire" from restoring spinning wheels.

If Percy Brooke was making about one spinning wheel a month, it's possible that each wheel was subtlety different, especially in respect to the turnings.

I guess your biggest challenge will be identifying a suitable wood for replacement and re-manufactured parts

[wheelinround]

Ian he hasn't changed his age its 87 LOL.

Alan this is great news as Ian said it'll make the job so much easier. Get as many photos as you can grab Val's dress makers tape measure as well as a ruler and callipers & vernier yes you will need them all. Val's tape to measure yourself before and after round the waist these ladies have history of plying us with all sorts of cooked goodies.

[ian]

I was refering to Allan's age (his Forum prifile shows 77), not Percy's

[wheelinround]

I was refering to Allan's age (his Forum prifile shows 77), not Percy's

I know you were just waiting for Alan to bite........he'll get me back I am sure.

[Allan at Wallan]

Hi Ian, don't worry about Wheelin, his bark is worse than his bite.

Great visit today with the lady who has an extensive collection of
spinning wheels. She was extremely cooperative and knowledgeable
and even serviced the wheel despite it being incomplete at the moment.

I feel much more confident in restoring it now that I know a lot more
than before my visit.

Thanks to you both and Skew for your input.

Allan

[ian]

I know what wheelin' is like.

But you made no mention of the edibles served by the lady you visited. Did your girth increase?

[Allan at Wallan]

I know what wheelin' is like.

But you made no mention of the edibles served by the lady you visited. Did your girth increase?

Although I was offered a cup of coffee I chose to continue on my way after spending
two hours with her. As for my girth - it is just 'fat gone to waist".

I can't wait to get cracking on the spinning wheel - however my grandchildren have
placed an order for pens to give to their teachers - deadline Tuesday, so had better
give preference to them.

Allan

[Allan at Wallan]

Just as a follow-up to this thread I have finished the spinning wheel and will hand it over today to my local client. I learned a heck of a lot in repairing it, although not to original specs, but feel sure she will have a lot of fun with it. It runs smoothly, a few parts have been made to suit, scrap leather from "Mister Minit" and the saddlery company in nearby Kilmore donated a couple of bits for the hinges, a mate from our club, Northern Woodturners did the pyrography bit on her name, and a lady from Riddells Creek was fantastic in offering advice as to how it should operate. I did not have to replace the "double distaff" Skew as there
was not one on it when she purchased it and has no intention of spinning flax. Thank you all for your
assistance in this "learning experience" for me.

Allan