Jodrell Bank Observatory
Depends on the source of the wheel. Second-hand wheels can be better than brand new ones, if they've been used and loved. They may cost about half of what a new one would. If you find one, get the seller to demonstrate that it works, and still has all its bits, better yet, take a spinning friend along.
BTW, if you are looking for a secondhand wheel try this link to the SPINNERS' and WEAVERS' HOUSECLEANING PAGES an excellent place to visit for US based folk.
What should I watch out for in an old wheel?
If you do come across something, ask the following questions:
Antique wheels - Kathi Cascio- Visit her web site for more information on both old and new wheels and looms: http://www.applehollow.com/index.html
I buy, sell, and when necessary, restore, antique wheels to working condition. These old wheels have spun miles of yarn when it was a necessity for a family to use them for most of their clothing needs. A beginning spinner should have an advanced spinner try out an antique wheel, after cleaning and oiling it and replacing the driveband, before buying it. I sell my antique wheels for $300 to $500; they surely are in the same ballpark as new wheels. Many times new spinners are reluctant to buy a somewhat ugly modern wheel when they begin spinning. If they don't stick with spinning, they at least have a beautiful, historic pieces which will never decrease in value.
A recent update from Kathi (Jan 2001) I am now selling more new than old wheels and looms, although I still do have the old ones on my used equipment page. My site features spinning wheels from Jensen, Ashford, Louet, Schacht, Babe, Majacraft and weaving looms from Schacht, Harrisville, Glimakra, Ashford, and Louet. Large selection of Books, Videos, Classes, Fibers, Yarns, Jewelry, Antiques.
Chris's comments.
I would love to get hold of a working or restorable antique
wheel and as Kathy says - a sensible purchase will surely hold or increase in
value. (Maybe Kathi can export me one !). So far in the UK I have met no
usable antique wheels, and we're talking about an asking price of
nearly $1000 dollars for one - a total wreck! (One wheel turned out to
be a silk bobbin winder).
!!! Take an experienced spinner with you. !!!
Recent update (2003).My last comment still holds true for wheels
found in antique shops, however e-bay is now proving a useful source of
older wheels at more reasonable prices - say £200 to £300. The major
disadvantage is that of buying from a picture and description. You may
or may not get a wheel that will spin! In the US section of e-bay there
are now an huge number of Eastern European imports, many very charming
and all allegedly spinners. The prices vary wildly according to "charm
and out-of-the-ordinariness"
I'm told that "A Book of Spinning Wheels" by Joan Cummer.
(Peter E. Randall Publisher, Portsmouth,
NH 03802. 1994. ISBN: 0-914339-46-x. now sadly, out of print and hard to find
- try libraries) and Pennington and Taylor's "American Spinning Wheels" (a sequel may be underway!) are useful for finding out more
information on old wheels, and the really dedicated, might consider
subscribing to "The Spinning Wheel Sleuth", a
newsletter for wheel collectors. $16.00/ 4 issues/year (in Canada $20.00;
international $35.00.) P.O. Box 422
Andover , MA 01810.
Stop press Pennington and Taylor have now brought out "Spinning Wheels
and Accessories" ISBN 0-7643-1973-6 which is getting enthusiastic reviews.
Florence Feldman-Wood writes:
THE SPINNING WHEEL SLEUTH is beginning its fifth year. I am a one
person home-based business. Readers are contributors and they have
covered a wide variety of topics. Recently I changed the subtitle
to "Exploring All Aspects of Spinning Wheels and Related Tools"
to reflect our broader scope.