DSCF5675, originally uploaded by criosa.

to introduce my wheel.

According to the ebay listing, it is a Louet S50. Very similar to the S51, but an older style. It also has a matching skein-winder attachment that I didn’t take pics of.

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The wheel made it here from the Netherlands in a week or less. (Left there on the 12th, arrived at the post office yesterday, where it was held hostage until I liberated it today with my signature.)

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I did a little test-spin today after putting it back together, but didn’t do much since I don’t have any oil. We’ll get some tomorrow and then get down to some serious spinning.

Things I miss from the newer model (which we used in the class):

  • 3-speed bobbins. These bobbins only have 2 speeds, which are at opposite ends. I like the speeds being at the same end - easier to adjust if needed.
  • drive-band holder. On the newer wheels, the spot where you insert the flyer peg has a bit of a lip that holds the drive-band in place when not in use. Mine doesn’t, so it tends to fall off a bit when I’m swapping things out.
  • easy-release brake band. The brake band is essentially the same, but this one is anchored on (whereas the new model has openings and you can pop it out easily when changing the flyer). The screw thing is also VERY tight, making it difficult to easily adjust the tension.
  • the new high-speed flyer. This is the old standard flyer with the cuphooks. I haven’t filled the bobbin enough to know how I really feel about it yet.

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The complete wheel pr0n photo set .