Folding Spinning Wheels

Here are four folding double treadle spinning wheels that are on the market: the Ashford Joy, the Kromski Sonata, the Lendrum and the Louet Victoria. This page brings them all together for you so you can compare looks and the details that will help you make the right spinning decision. There are a number of factors that can be considered; not all will be important or carry the same weight for each spinner. Think about how you will be using your folding, portable wheel; consider what is important to you if you have other wheels; evaluate what others have said about these wheels but in the end, let your criteria govern your choice. Your reasons for choosing one wheel over others may not be the same as the next person's, but they will be right for you.

• 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.