Great wheel spinning: Bat Head vs Accelerator Head

[@cherylcallahan9261]

This was informative Val… I need practice before testing out the Minor heads!

[@valeriegaddis5973]

You can do it! ❤

[@sanflo2810]

I’m facinated with the great wheel. With the accelerator. What a difference. I located a great wheel locally. I’m a novice. But wanting to try traditional.

[@loganpollock1689]

I bypassed the accelerator wheel and spin direct drive at a ratio of 52:1. My spindle looks to be exactly the same length as the spindle on your Minors head so with prepared Rolags I can fill the spindle in 20 minutes or three Cops an hour. That is fast enough for me.

[@valeriegaddis5973]

It is amazingly fast. The GW makes excellent spun yarn with a quality that is difficult to surpass with a treadle wheel.

[@Nancy.mystic.forest]

Valerie, do you know where your accelerator head was made and in approximately what year? I have an exact duplicate of yours on my recently acquired Great Wheel, right down to the corn cob straps and the colors, and am very curious. Thanks so much for your videos. I'm finding them very helpful! Nancy

[@valeriegaddis5973]

It is a Miner or Minor accelerator head from early 1800s I’ve owned a Pierce head that came after Amos Minor. Pierce added tiny brass bearings for the accelerator head axle. Thank you. Glad you’re enjoying them.

[@Nancy.mystic.forest]

@@valeriegaddis5973 thank you! No brass on mine...I was told a date of 1850 but thought due to the accelerator that it might be a bit older than that!

[@valeriegaddis5973]

@@Nancy.mystic.forest accelerators were an after market add on. First manuf in the early 1800s around 1809-1810.