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In this issue we discuss subcategories of Canadian wheels and small details on whorls on European wheels. An old picture provides the solution to one problem but leads to another question, which was answered by another old picture. Then historical confirmation of that solution comes from another source.
Alvin Ramer of Colborne, ONT, Canada, continues our discussion of spinning wheels made in Quebec by studying the four major categories of tilt-tensioning devices. In his travels he discovered two wheels with unusual tensioning devices. All photos by Alvin Ramer
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| A Trousseau Spinning
Wheel Eugene Klingshirn of North Olmsted, OH, tells about another little German spinning wheel that he discovered. He found an interesting solution for replacing missing parts of ivory. From the collection of Eugene Klingshirn (detail at right)
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Whorl Nubs In response to a question, David Bownas of Poughkeepsie, NY, uncovered a small detail on the spindle whorls of several of his and wife Pat's "ladies." This feature on whorls appears mostly on German wheels.
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| Taming
the Worst of the Great Wheels While living in Oregon, Peter Fowler, now of Rancho Palos Verdes, CA, tried to spin on a horrible old great wheel at a small historical society. An old picture of a French spinning wheel showed him how to arrange the drive band to make the wheel work well again.
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The Answer from Pat Bownas It was unclear what type of spindle mechanism was on the French wheel shown in the postcard above. As luck would have it, Pat Bownas has a different old picture showing that same wheel. The spinning mechanism can be seen clearly.
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| Twisted
Thoughts, in Both Directions Independently Alan Raistrick of Chinnor, England, found historical corroboration of the drive-band arrangement. He also has some thoughts on how whorls were made, and why.
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©2002 The Spinning Wheel Sleuth