Does anyone know a place where I can get an affordable spinning wheel?I haven’t been able to find anything that isn’t plain and ugly under like…300.
One place even tacked on an extra hundred if you wanted it with a finish O_O.
If I can’t find anything better, I’ll go for ebay.There seem to be some pretty decently priced ones there…I just don’t exactly trust their shipping+descriptions and what not.
Babe wheels are quite plain, but with a bit of paint and imagination can become works of art.
Be careful with buying wheels from ebay or craig’s list … some could be ‘decorative’ wheels (non-working). Others can have pieces and parts missing. Or they may not have multiple bobbins and replacement bobbins could be hard to match up.
I’ve sold a few Ashford traditional wheels from under $250. Folks come to me with a wheel they need to get placed … I don’t go looking for them. Ashford is a good brand and you can find parts and bobbins for them.
For a starter a Babe is a good value. Some folks don’t like their “looks” but they do a good job. You’ll find them to be a good machine.
The “Production” is the one I’d recomend.
I spin on a drop spindle, and then a Great Wheel. I’m not a “peddler”
Good Luck!
JLH
Well, I’ve decided NOT to buy a spinning wheel,but I thought I should post what I have decided to do instead.
I’ve decided, after looking at various pictures of spinners in India, to make my own spinning wheel. I found these amazingly simple wheels made out of bike tires that the women get to spin at home and make a living.I feel kind of ignorant because I just found out the birthplace of the spinning wheel and the origins and importance of the charkha a few days ago >_>.
This should be [I]extremely[/I] cost effective,though. I estimate not even a $30 investment because I already have a bike I’m scrapping.I’m sure that with a little paint(which I already have), I can quickly make it more aesthetically pleasing than the Babe 
Do you have a picture of this yet? I’m really interested in this! I have two antique wheels that I have fixed to be functional and maybe some time next year I’m going to get one of the portable ones. But I’m really intruiged now! Did you just do a search online?
Well, actually I’m a bit of a nerd and feel the need to wikipedia EVERYTHING.That always leads to more websites to confirm facts and eventually, to google images and video.
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http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=36865573&ref=sr_gallery_7&&ga_search_query=spinning+wheel&ga_search_type=handmade&ga_page=&includes[]=tags&includes[]=title](http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=36865573&ref=sr_gallery_7&&ga_search_query=spinning+wheel&ga_search_type=handmade&ga_page=&includes[) Is one place selling them.aherm In my opinion…a BIT of a rip off considering the cost of materials and very short time to create once you have the tools. That is basically what I want to do, only I will definitely paint mine a matte black to go with all my furniture and make a few other adjustments.
The original pictures that inspired me to find others and sketch up my own were these:
A true Charkha type: http://www.kamat.com/kim/india2007/41017.jpg
a pedal one:http://media.photobucket.com/image/india%20spinning%20wheel%20bike/korzekwa/spin.jpg
If they had plenty of bicycles they were scrapping out instead of having to buy spoked, precision ball bearing wheels and had a pile of red oak lumber laying around. And all the other bits and parts needed plus putting them together with dowel and screws. Plus 3 huge bobbins that have 3 ratios … maybe, just maybe it would be a rip off.
As it is, I think the Fidelis is priced very good for the materials and knowledge they have in it.
(no, I don’t know these folks, nor do I have one of their wheels … I just think $195 for this wheel is a great price)
I agree 1000% percent with MullersLaneFarm on this one. And she hasn’t even mentioned the skills it takes to craft a flyer, a whorl, a drive wheel, an orifice, a bobbin, footmen, treadles and a crank that all work smoothly together.
Can you make a flyer wheel out of $30 worth of bits and pieces? Probably, and probably with very simple tools. Can you make a good wheel that spins well and lets you make decent yarn? I’ll say yes when I see it.
On the other hand, here’s a link to a DIY cardboard charkha that cost about fifty cents to make. http://www.rabbitgeek.com/charka.html
Rabbit Geek! He’s a member of this forum ( think) and quite an industrius guy!
Thanks for posting this URL. This is fantastic! I love it when people take it upon themselves to experiment and create instead of just ordering something out of a catalog.
IF your really ambitious and have the tools you can make a wheel 
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http://www.craftsmanspace.com/free-projects/spinning-wheel-plan.html
I have most of the tools and access to the wood but I am not THAT ambitious 
Downloaded these plans and had nothing but a hassle, so finally printed them off as they were posted up in image form. BONUS. Only thing I see wrong with these plans is the lack of detail around the orifice area…or rather lack thereof! Did some of the antique wheels just draw direct from the closest heck(hook) on the flyer to the spinner? or is there some detail missing to this plan?
I’m all geared up to build my own with a drive similar to the Spinolutions wheel with a modern look akin to old Irish Castle style wheels.
Downloaded these plans and had nothing but a hassle, so finally printed them off as they were posted up in image form. BONUS. Only thing I see wrong with these plans is the lack of detail around the orifice area…or rather lack thereof! Did some of the antique wheels just draw direct from the closest heck(hook) on the flyer to the spinner? or is there some detail missing to this plan?
I’m all geared up to build my own with a drive similar to the Spinolutions wheel with a modern look akin to old Irish Castle style wheels. Comments? Remarks? Suggestions?
SCALE DRAWINGS???
I definitely applaud your attempt to make a wheel. I couldn’t do it! Several years ago I raised a small flock of Romney sheep and did spinning. Have been away from it awhile and nearly sold my wheel (a Haldane wheel from Scotland that isn’t made anymore) but after seeing the prices of new ones no way would I part with it. If your attempts to make one are unsuccessful, look for sales and save your money! My old wheel cost $150 and it was new. New ones are incredibly expensive.
Miller’s lane farm
Do you have and spinning wheels at present for sale?
Don’t know if Arden’s question was meant for me or who? No I have one wheel I will never part with!
Here is a good Overview What are the Best Spinning Wheels for Beginners
i looked for some Models for Beginners at ebay and there always some offers for used Spinning Wheels
for around 400$
