Folding Spinning Wheels
Height
Height of orifice
Diameter of wheel
Ratios
Size of treadles
Size and number of bobbins
Type of Lazy Kate
Add-on accessories
Carry Bag
How the wheel folds
How easily the wheels folds and opens
Threading hook
Scotch tension (type of spring, location of peg)
Ease of adjustment
Footprint and how wheel sits on floor
Size of wheel folded and in a carry bag
| Ashford | Kromski | Lendrum | Louet | |
| Weight | 11.2 lbs. | 11.4 lbs. | 13.6 lbs. | 7.4 lbs. |
| Height | 25" | 32.5" | 34" | 23" |
| Height of Orifice | 22.25" | 30.5"* | 30"* | 23" |
| Wheel Diameter | 15" | 19.5" | 19" | 14" |
| Number of bobbins | 3 | 3 | 4 | 3 |
| Size of bobbins* | 18.56 cu. inches | 29.26 cu inches | 19.94 cu. inches | 21.89 cu. inches |
| Lazy Kate | 2 bobbin on wheel | 2 bobbin on wheel | 3 bobbin, separate & tensioned |
2 bobbin, separate |
| Ratios - standard flyer |
6, 8, 12 and 15 | 6.7, 12.5 and 14 | 6, 8 and 10 | 6, 9 and 14 |
| Accessories | None | Jumbo Flyer Faster Flyer |
Jumbo Flyer Fast Flyer |
Fast Flyer |
| Carry Bag, source | Optional padded Ashford and Woolery |
Included padded Kromski |
Optional padded Woolery |
Included* not padded Louet |
| Type of wood | Ply and MDF laminated | Alder and Birch | Maple | Ply and MDF laminated |
| How it folds | put bobbins, flyer in place, remove one footman release 2 hinges; fold and lock |
remove flyer head: remove locking screw: fold then screw/lock store flyer head on frame |
remove flyer head remove locking screw; fold then screw/lock |
remove flyer/bobin; remove footman from wheel; store flyer under frame release locking pin: fold and lock |
| Time to open* | 29 seconds | 36 seconds | 30 seconds | 35 seconds |
| Time to fold* | 35 seconds | 28 seconds | 20 seconds | 24 seconds |
| Ease of folding | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Threading Hook | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Scotch Tension | Adjusting peg up front; spring |
Adjusting peg up front, spring |
Adjusting peg at rear, rubber band |
Adjusting peg up front, spring |
| Adjustment of drive band* |
none can be made | easy | easy | none can be made |
| Footprint | 17" x 15" sits on 6 soft rubber feet |
17" x 14" sits on 4 soft feet |
18" x 15" sits on 3 soft rubber feet |
13" x 15.5" sits on 4 hard plastic feet |
| Treadle size* | 5.25" x 12" | 4" x 12" | 5" x 9.75" | 3.75" x 9.75" |
| Size of wheel folded | 25" x 25" x 6" | 22.5" x 19.5" x 6.75" | 28.75" x 19" x 7" | 21.25" x 14" x 5.25" |
15.5" x 25.5" x 7.25"
20" x 29.5" x 8.5"
• Height of orifice: the Kromski and Lendrum allow for adjustments to raise/lower the orifice height in a
range of 2-3 inches.
• Size of bobbins: see link to a complete list of spinning bobbins and size in cubic inches.
• Louet Carry Bag and Kromski Tote Bag are included in purchase.
• Ease of folding: this is a judgement call; all wheels are easy and take less than a minute to complete.
• Time to open/Time to fold: for opening, we began with the folded wheel on the floor as it would be out of a bag; the test ended when the wheel was assembled and ready for spinning, but not adjusted. For folding, we started with the wheel fully assembled and the test ended with the wheel ready to put in a bag. Test was done by someone that knows how to open and fold each wheel without having to guess what to do or how to do it. After practice, there is no reason to think that any of these wheels can not be opened or folded in under one minute by anyone. Time differences for single treadle Joy and Lendrum negligible.
• Adjustment of drive band - while the Joy and Victoria offer no way to adjust tension on the drive band, it may not be needed if properly done when made. However, as bands get older and loose some memory, the ability to adjust can be important for a longer life of band. Also, having the proper tension of the band can noticeably improve the feel for treadling, so having control of this is good. See these notes.
• Treadle size: length was calculated from front to rear, allowing for useable space for the foot.
• For pictures shown with leg silhouettes, note that the spinner is sitting on a stool that is 18.5" high; the spinner is 5 foot, 4 inches in height.
•Bags - Sonata, Joy and Lendrum bags (Joy and Lendrum bags are Woolery products) are heavily padded. Victoria bag is not padded but key points have padding added. We judge the Joy, Sonata and Lendrum to be quick to bag up. The Victoria is a bit of a puzzle that requires parts to be placed in a particular manner and order and will take a good bit more time to pack than the other wheels. We judge the Joy and Sonata bags to be the best to protect their wheels.
