Optional Orifice Sizes
3/8" inside diameter orifice is standard with
all wheels and is suitable for medium and fine yarns
1/2" inside diameter orifice is offered for those who spin thicker yarn,
though if you also spin fine fibers, you'll probably be happier staying with our
3/8"
1/4" inside diameter orifice is offered for those who exclusively spin fine
fibers.
Flyer hooks match size of orifice desired. (1/4" orifice, 1/4" hooks,
3/8" orifice, 3/8" hooks, 1/2" orifice, 1/2" hooks)
Below is a list of ratios available for the various size
wheels
Those in Bold and Italicized typeface are standard for all wheels configurations unless
customer requests differently
Other ratios outside of Bold are the minimum and maximum for wheel size listed if using
Double Drive.
We do encourage experienced spinners to be specific to their needs and are happy to
provide the ratios required. Beginning spinners will find suggested ratios to cover a wide
range of fibers and Twists Per Inch.
18" > (6:1-8:1),
(10:1-12:1), (15:1-18:1)
20" > (6:1-8:1),
(10:1-12:1), (15:1-20:1)
24" > (6:1-7:1), (8:1-10:1),
(12:1-15:1),(18:1-22:1)
30" > (8:1-10:1),
(12:1-16:1),(22:1-26:1)
For more explanations of what all this means, you may enjoy visiting this site: http://www.joyofhandspinning.com/spin-drive-ratio.html
A word about wheel axle bearings:
Ball Bearings available at additional cost:
Pros: Make spinning almost effortless. Typical continuous rotation without treadling is
about 30 rotations
Ball bearings are also very quiet and never need lubrication as they are shielded with
grease inside.
Cons: Ball Bearings require the use of an Allen wrench to remove the wheel for
transport.
Cast Bronze: Pros are no additional cost. Cons are higher friction than ball bearings
meaning free rotation drops to about 20 rotations. Also they must be oiled at the same
frequency as bobbin bearings.
No Bearings: While used for centuries, unless needed for authenticity in reenactments I do
not recommend.
A word about bobbin bearings:
Cast Bronze: Pros are long lasting and metal. Cons are require more lubrication and can be
a bit noisy.
Rulon: Pros are they are designed to not require lubrication although must be lubricated
to be quiet. And they will run quiet generally. Also the friction coefficient
is quite
low. (They are pretty slippery)
Cons: Rulon is a type of plastic so they are more easily scratched if not put on flyer
shaft with care.
Rulon/ Teflon Composite: Pros are this is the most slippery bearing (lowest coefficient
of
friction) available in a reasonable price range. These are very slippery bearings!
Cons: same as regular Rulon,
