Old and New Progress Part II

The Old I can at last feel some work has been achieved in the repair and restoration of the 200 year old Hebridean Spinning wheel. It had been shelved a few times, while other things took precedent. There is still work yet to be done mostly small but time consuming repairs to patch up areas for it to become a working wheel again. Also to keep it looking its age, not like its just had a make over and rebuilt.



New parts made are, one leg, one adjuster knob/handle. The old one has been repaired drilled and dowel inserted to strengthen but the thread is so worn that it won't pull back. So a new one was made. The connecting piece for the treadle.

Repairs have been done to a Maiden tower, rejoining one of the lower sections using the dowelling method. The Maiden support block which had split was soaked in a soapy water solution for about an hour a hose clamp fitted for a period. It closed the gap from 6mm to 2mm, epoxy was used to glue and secure again using the hose clamp until dry. Drilling out the remains of the broken leg from the base.

Repair the broken wheel carrier upright, a small dowel and epoxy. A piece yet has to be fitted to both of these as years of ware has made a big impression into the wood where the axle has run.


Seen here are the riser block, the new leg, the repaired wheel carrier and the adjuster block. The adjuster block was made as a spare as the thread had to cut on the new adjuster knob and we were unsure if both would mate. The new adjuster block will now be used on Sue's copy of the Hebridean wheel. 

Adjuster Block

Mother-of-All Riser Block

Left - The 3 legs. Right - The wheel carriers

The broken wheel carrier

The footman and treadle is made of Cedar and has been repaired a few times as any cottage worker of the day would have done simple but effective. I will decide as i go if it should be replaced or repaired.






The New

Nova 3000 lathe

A new leg

I was fortunate enough to acquire a 2nd hand Nova 3000 lathe which I was able to turn the larger parts on such as the legs and wheel carriers for the old and new spinning wheel. This was a slow process as due to the size of my workshop/garage, the lathe could not be brought home. It is housed at the Ornamental Turners club at Llandilo some 45ks away. This meant that limited time only on a club day at the lathe to produce 3 new legs, 2 new wheel carriers etc.

Seen here is one of the legs on the Nova I had turned I wanted to do a fancier type leg compared to the original design this is just a simple coves, beads and tappers 












 The old wheel and all its parts along with what has been made so far of the new wheel. Shown of the new wheel from right to left :- The base, Wheel carriers, 3 legs, adjuster knob and block, riser block, Maiden and its towers/flyer carriers. The hub and 5 spokes (7 more yet to make) a roughed out flyer and two of the pulleys.
The base has yet to be worked, holes drilled, adjuster block slide hole cut and drilled. A tapper on the underside. Adjuster parts to be drilled and threaded with a more common thread type.

Metal axle forged for the main wheel and a machined axle for the Maiden made.
The pieces which are darker have been given a coat of Woodwipe which is available through Trend Timbers , a liberal smear after sanding of Lanolin and cloth buffed a further finish will be applied.

The spokes also had a make over I created a profile after doing a rough test run and getting approval from Sue.







The Maiden towers were sanded back after having been aged to suit fitting to the old wheel (see above Old Wheel), should the repairs not have taken. It has brought out some interesting colour and effect.



Sue asked if the new wheel could be left its golden colour after showing her how it would look it won her approval again. It will darken over time.

The spokes laid out around the hub, the wheel carriers and the 3 legs all yet to be completed, getting the shapes sizes, filling cracks etc is taking time. Even though the Oak has been down for over 5 years after being cut there is still movement also after rough turning.

Art in Relief or Tromploy

At a recent Ornamental Turners meeting one of the members Peter Harding, brought along a purchase he had made of Christ. Peter isn't a religious man but it had moved him so much some weeks previous he went back and bought it.

No matter which way you move the work Christ's eyes and expression follows you.

Knee Cap as in a warmer but not done with a gun

Sue made this for her mother. A nice purple Knee cap from an old Mrs Beatons NeedleWork Book
Done in the round using 4ply yarn from Bendigo Woollen Mill

Warm "N" Wooly or "Hair of The Dog"

These are for a friends mum who suffers from cold feet, she lives in South Australia. Kev her son lives in Katherine and has a Malamute or two now, grooming them is an endless task. Their fur however is sort after as a medium for its warmth.


The Malamute fur has been blended with Merino giving a 60/40 blend, they are hand spun and and knitted. The pattern is based on an old vintage pattern, for heelless socks.

Topsy Turvy Doll

Our Granddaughter turned one last week so Sue made this Topsy Turvy Doll.

Flip the skirt and it changes from Nana to young girl.

Drill Press Table and Tool Box Cabinet

I have the need for a Drill Press Table larger than the usual table supplied, so I set about checking out many ideas via the Woodwork Forum and Google. I settled on using 25mm Melamine for the table and fence, T-track and hold downs  from McJings . As can be seen in the photo of the rear of the fence I have left a tail of T-track overhanging, this is so the lock down for the fence will not reduce the amount of table. I have to make the fence lock downs brackets. Then I only need to secure the T-track and seal the edging and its finished, when it stops raining long enough it shall be done.

I was able to pick up some FREE 18mm MDF sheet 1800x1000 from another Woodwork forumite (thanks Scott & Geoff). I had cut it to size using my Triton Mk3 but it needs a major tune up to be square. Alan came to the rescue and completed the Cabinet the back is 6mm ply, mitred corners with a biscuit, while the over hang edge is rebated.

The overhang will house my square and hacksaws, 80mm wheels fitted. Again Alan many thanks. Missed it again the photo opportunity, a man in a tie and office attire doing woodwork. Have not seen that since I was a young lad. I only need to now coat and seal it. At a later stage draws will be fitted.

Cedar Pot Pourie Bowl

A simple Pot Pourie Bowl with a Putter lid.

Rosewood Walking Stick, Candel Holder and Cake Stand

I am a member of The Ornamental Turners Group of Australia . A good friend David Laird is my mentor his work in Barley Twists is amazing. His walking sticks well worth having one. David's supplies of NSW scented Rosewood which these are all made from comes from Mal's Boutique Timbers

David also designs and builds many of our jig's, tools and is always able to come up with new idea's. His work with the Rose Engine is a never over the top.

Felting Boots & Scarf

I suffer from cold feet during winter but these boots sure keep me warm while sitting back relaxing. Felted by Sue

The scarf was a test Sue did which turned out quite nice and very fine.

Felted them from wool.

Time For Tea

Ah that first sip of a fine cup of tea.

Sue made this lovely Tea set which was raffled off during the Fairfield Weavers Spinners and Dyers Biggest Morning Tea a fund raising for Cancer.