Assessing & Getting a Walking Wheel Spinning Again!

Thank you so much to the Kishwaukee Valley Heritage Society in Genoa, Illinois for inviting me to help piece their antique Great or Walking Wheel (donated by Ruth Lankton and the Weiss family) back together. I identify the key pieces you should look for when searching for a Great Wheel and visit the nearby Prairie State Winery.
Featured Partners
Kishwaukee Valley Heritage Society: sites.google.com/site/kvhsgen...
Featured Wine
Savannah Oak from the Prairie State Winery: www.prairiestatewinery.com/oa...
*****************************************
Follow the Tipsy Spinster on these other channels:
The Sip-n-Spin Facebook Page: / thesipnspin
The Sip-n-Spin Instagram Feed: / thesipnspin
The Sip-n-Spin Twitter Feed: / sip_spin
#TheTipsySpinster #TheSipNSpin #KishwaukeeValleyHeritageSociety #GreatWheel #WalkingWheel #PrairieStateWinery #OakSavannah

[@theloopyluddite]

Love this! I was just part of a 2 spinner team to get our our local historical society's great wheel up and spinning again. It's been 'great' fun, and now I'm searching out all info about these magnificent machines. Thanks!!!

[@DeltaDonnaLynn]

That great wheel click is one of my favourite sounds in the whole world.

[@CousinJennie]

Love, love, love that Great Wheel!!! Thank you!

[@TheSipnSpin]

It was such a pleasure getting it spinning again!

[@k.moreno3325]

Great video. And Love your dress, too!

[@timothyryner]

I’m not “into” spinning, but totally dig the Spinster’s love for the haptics, mechanics, and passion for spinning.

[@SoulfulSpinning]

So super cool! I bet you wanted to take it home 😉. Beautiful yarn and a beautiful wheel 💕.

[@TheSipnSpin]

I did! I can't believe how incredibly perfect this wheel spun!

[@spider46531]

I just got my walking wheel late last year and the Miners head was just repaired. Lagatha is my fantasy wheel and cant wait to start spinning with her. It has been 30 years since I have spun on one. I have two flax wheels.

[@navi2884]

What a great video! I have not spun on a great wheel yet but I have spun on a quill attachment for a lendrum and it was so much fun. I'm hoping to try a great wheel soon!

[@LatahAshford]

Loved this episode with the Walking Wheel, and your end comment from the Ply magazine of bringing along a drop spindle in your travels. CHEERS! 🥂

[@TheSipnSpin]

Thank you!

[@susiemurphy1476]

Amazing!

[@loganpollock1689]

I never used the Minor's Head on my wheel either. I prefer spinning yarn on my walking wheel and plying on my old Leclerc which has a huge flyer and bobbin.

[@maggiepatterson7949]

Could you demonstrate using a stick to spin the wheel...reason to use it or not...? Thank you.

[@TheSipnSpin]

I'm just now seeing this, sorry about that. I find that using my hand gives me a lot more control. I'll see if I can find a stick the right length to try and demonstrate using a stick for spinning.

[@100Diamonds10]

What did you use for the band? I was given a great wheel with no band. Also, the spindle point is flat with electrical tape just in from the flat end. Should I try to find a new/make a new spindle or file down the tip?

[@TheSipnSpin]

Cotton twine is my usual go-to for drive bands. While it's not impossible to use a flat tipped spindle, a smooth one with a point is going to be easier and much nicer!

[@maggiepatterson7949]

Please explain why you cannot use a great wheel to ply.. Thank you.

[@KelliKat]

I believe that you can.

[@TheSipnSpin]

Yes, you absolutely can! I just am not good at it... at all!

[@penniecormier8770]

Is the minor wheel for spinning linen?

[@TheSipnSpin]

Great question! Actually, the minors head is a piece/accessory that accelerates the speed of the spindle; a little like a bike gear.

[@maggiepatterson7949]

Could you show how the accelerator is used?

[@TheSipnSpin]

This isn't my wheel, and unfortunately I don't have a trip to the museum where the wheel currently lives planned. If I do get back there soon I'll definitely get some video of the accelerator. I typically don't use them because I don't need that much twist in my single.

[@maggiepatterson7949]

Was the groove made or did it just happen because the wheel was used so much?

[@TheSipnSpin]

Great question, the center groove was made. This was more common in wheels made in the Eastern part of the U.S.