Examples of Various Types of Spinning Wheels
Spinning
wheels (those we offer) are typically classified by their general
appearance. As new concepts are developed, this classification becomes a
little blurred, but basically you have Saxony wheels (horizontal),
castle wheels (vertical), Norwegian wheels (horizontal on a bench) and
what we call "modern", which can take on many forms, including folding
wheels electric wheels. You can also purchase a spindle wheel which uses
a spindle to hold the spun yarn, not a bobbin. These work like a great
wheel. The Indian Charkha is a good example.
The Saxony
is the wheel of the fairy tales - the wheel on one end, the flyer on
the other, sloping frame, and normally three legs. The Ashford
Traditional and Elizabeth, Kromski Symphony and Prelude, Jensen
Production and Ultimate, Lendrum Saxony and Schacht-Reeves wheels fall
into this category.
Castle wheels
are distinguished by the flyer being positioned above the wheel. The
Ashford's Traveller, Kromski Minstrel and Mazurka, Majacraft wheels and
the Jensen Tina II wheel are good examples. They normally have three to
four legs and in most instances are a bit more compact than other
wheels.
Norwegian wheels
are a cousin to the Saxony, typically with three to four legs, large
wheel and usually ornate. The Kromski Polonaise is a good example.
Modern wheels
are hybrids of other traditional types, usually taking on a more
unusual appearance, and attempt to take advantage of better engineering.
In this category we put the Louet wheels, Kromski Sonata, Lendrum,
Schacht, Babe and the Ashford Joy. See our page that compares folding wheels.
Electric spinners
do not have a treadle and therefore don't require your foot to get
started and keep spinning. They do not feature a wheel, only a flyer.
They can be set on a table and started manually. They are not completely
automatic since the spinner still determines the size of the yarn and
must from time to time stop the flyer to change hooks in order to fill
the bobbin evenly. Examples of these are the Roberta and the Babe NW
Flyer.
A spindle wheel will be the Charkha, Babe Little Spider or the quill added to an Ashford or Lendrum wheel.
Saxony Spinning Wheel
 Kromski Symphony |  Ashford Elizabeth 2 |
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| Castle Spinning Wheel
 Jensen Tina II |  Kromski Minstrel |
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| Norwegian Spinning Wheel
 Kromski Polonaise |
|
|
| Modern Spinning Wheel
 Schacht |  Lendrum |
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| Spindle Charkha Spinning Wheel
 Indian Charkha |  Babe Spider |
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