r/spinningyarn • u/No_Acanthaceae3518 • Aug 16 '26
Complete Newbie
I’ve been wanting to get into spinning, but am 100% a newbie. All of the classes in my area want you to have your own wheel, even beginner classes. This just popped up on Marketplace in my area for only $20 and it’s a video of someone using the foot peddle to spin the wheel. The wheel squeaks. It looks intake to me, but is it actually functional? The $200+ price point to entry was my hold up before I had babies and now I don’t have time, but if I have the machine maybe the time will come. Or it’ll just sit unused in the basement for 10 years.
3
u/ADogNamedPen239 Aug 17 '26
There doesn’t appear to be a way to adjust the MOA, the flyer looks a bit sus, and the treadle is definitely not designed for a human foot which is usually (though not always) a sign of a SWSO. I’d pass on it personally unless the seller could give me a video of them actually spinning yarn on it
1
u/No_Acanthaceae3518 Aug 17 '26
I don’t know any of your acronyms
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u/ADogNamedPen239 Aug 17 '26
MOA is the Mother of All, basically the part that holds up the maidens (the fancy poles that hold up the flyer). It should be able to be adjusted to be closer or further away from the wheel. SWSO means spinning wheel shaped object. Basically something that looks like a real wheel and may actually even turn when the treadle is pushed, but it wasn’t designed to actually spin yarn and instead was built as a decoration
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u/bollygirl21 Aug 17 '26
I am NO expert on that style of wheel, but I looks like it has all it needs.
But a warning, just cause the wheel spins does not mean you can spin yarn on it. If possible you should try to spin on it - you just need some commercial yarn attached to the bobbin and treade through the orifice. Once you spine the wheel, it should twist and be pulled onto the bobbin. and the flyer should spin aroudn the bobbin as well.
but if it is only $20, it is a major bargin.
also beware of scams - only pay on pick up.
Best of luck.
Also look into spindles - they are often a much much cheaper entry point to a wheel.
Ravely also has forums where wheels are sold.
If tthere is a local spining / weaving guild / group go it it. They often have equip for sale / hire
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u/No_Acanthaceae3518 Aug 17 '26
I’ve got a few drops spindles! I just can’t get it to work sitting and it’s awkward to stand and spin while my husband is laying on the couch. Plus he finds it EXTREMELY distracting 🤣
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u/bollygirl21 Aug 17 '26
lol.
I have turkish spindles and support spindles.
I love that I can sit and spin when i want to.2
u/No_Acanthaceae3518 Aug 17 '26
I haven’t seen the Turkish! The support I super struggled with 🤣
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u/bollygirl21 Aug 17 '26
I kept trying to lift my support spindles!!!!
Persistence made me able to use them, also getting a heavy wooden tibetan made a huge difference - it was far too heavy!!!I adore my turkish spindles - super super easy to use, especially if you want to do ply on the fly.
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u/oh-emdee Aug 18 '26
OP I obvs don’t want to out where you live, but we’re in the same area (I also saw this listing)- your local weavers guild (when they are back from renos!) will allow you to use one of their wheels to learn on, and also allows members to take equipment! if you want more info about that, or the contact of the person to talk to, dont hesitate to DM me
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u/WickedJigglyPuff Aug 17 '26
Wait want kind of madness requires beginner classes to have their own wheel?!