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  1. #1
    Join Date
    May 2007
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    Pretty Sally Hill, Wallan Vic
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    Default Restoring a spinning wheel

    A local lady has just purchased this spinning wheel which unfortunately
    is incomplete. Some parts are missing and some are broken. I have been
    requested to restore it if possible.

    I have established, through the assistance of "Wheelin around" that it was
    originally made by Percy Brooke who lived in Mt Waverley Victoria. It would
    have been one of the 150 spinning wheels that he made between 1969 and 1982.

    Interestingly he was born and educated in Yarra Junction Victoria, about ten
    miles from where I lived as a youngster.

    I am interested in gaining any photos, literature, dimensions etc. of the wheel
    as I want to make it as "good as new" again.

    The Melbourne base of the Spinners and Weavers' Guild have offered to publicize
    my plight in their December newsletter which is very kind of them.

    If you have any comments I would be grateful to hear from you.

    Allan
    Spinning wheel six.jpg
    Life is short ... smile while you still have teeth.

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  3. #2
    Join Date
    Jul 2005
    Location
    Oberon, NSW
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    63
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    13,354

    Default

    D'you know what it originally looked like? eg. The broken section would've held a "double-L" distaff, but I imagine Wheelin' has already given you links to pix?

    It looks like a good little project.


    Oh... yeah... here's a hint to ingratiate yourself with the owner. Make a couple of extra bobbins, so she has at least three or four to use with it.
    I may be weird, but I'm saving up to become eccentric.

    - Andy Mc

  4. #3
    Join Date
    Jun 2007
    Location
    North Of The Boarder
    Age
    68
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    Default

    Good on you Alan hoe someone else may have the same wheel.

    Skew I did this link has some amazing info worth book marking Australian Spinning Wheels: Makers A - E

    The Book wheels are 2nd one down identical to Alan's project.

  5. #4
    Join Date
    May 2007
    Location
    Pretty Sally Hill, Wallan Vic
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    Default

    Good news department!
    The Spinners and Weavers Guild of Victoria publicized my plight in the December
    newsletter. A lady from Riddells Creek, about 35 minutes from here, has two Percy
    Brooke wheels and has invited me to come over this Friday, take photos and dimensions
    and discuss any other aspects of the spinning wheel. If necessary she can refer me
    to a chap who has retired from renovating wheels but is willing to offer advice.

    Looking forward to the challenge.

    Allan
    Life is short ... smile while you still have teeth.

  6. #5
    Join Date
    Feb 2003
    Location
    back in Alberta for a while
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    68
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    12,006

    Default

    Great news Allan.
    Just remember that at 77 you are too young to "retire" from restoring spinning wheels.

    If Percy Brooke was making about one spinning wheel a month, it's possible that each wheel was subtlety different, especially in respect to the turnings.

    I guess your biggest challenge will be identifying a suitable wood for replacement and re-manufactured parts
    regards from Alberta, Canada

    ian

  7. #6
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    Default

    Ian he hasn't changed his age its 87 LOL.

    Alan this is great news as Ian said it'll make the job so much easier. Get as many photos as you can grab Val's dress makers tape measure as well as a ruler and callipers & vernier yes you will need them all. Val's tape to measure yourself before and after round the waist these ladies have history of plying us with all sorts of cooked goodies.

  8. #7
    Join Date
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    Default

    I was refering to Allan's age (his Forum prifile shows 77), not Percy's
    regards from Alberta, Canada

    ian

  9. #8
    Join Date
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    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by ian View Post
    I was refering to Allan's age (his Forum prifile shows 77), not Percy's
    I know you were just waiting for Alan to bite........he'll get me back I am sure.

  10. #9
    Join Date
    May 2007
    Location
    Pretty Sally Hill, Wallan Vic
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    Default

    Hi Ian, don't worry about Wheelin, his bark is worse than his bite.

    Great visit today with the lady who has an extensive collection of
    spinning wheels. She was extremely cooperative and knowledgeable
    and even serviced the wheel despite it being incomplete at the moment.

    I feel much more confident in restoring it now that I know a lot more
    than before my visit.

    Thanks to you both and Skew for your input.

    Allan
    Life is short ... smile while you still have teeth.

  11. #10
    Join Date
    Feb 2003
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    back in Alberta for a while
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    Default

    I know what wheelin' is like.

    But you made no mention of the edibles served by the lady you visited. Did your girth increase?
    regards from Alberta, Canada

    ian

  12. #11
    Join Date
    May 2007
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    Pretty Sally Hill, Wallan Vic
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    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by ian View Post
    I know what wheelin' is like.

    But you made no mention of the edibles served by the lady you visited. Did your girth increase?

    Although I was offered a cup of coffee I chose to continue on my way after spending
    two hours with her. As for my girth - it is just 'fat gone to waist".

    I can't wait to get cracking on the spinning wheel - however my grandchildren have
    placed an order for pens to give to their teachers - deadline Tuesday, so had better
    give preference to them.

    Allan
    Life is short ... smile while you still have teeth.

  13. #12
    Join Date
    May 2007
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    Pretty Sally Hill, Wallan Vic
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    Default

    Just as a follow-up to this thread I have finished the spinning wheel and will hand it over today to my local client. I learned a heck of a lot in repairing it, although not to original specs, but feel sure she will have a lot of fun with it. It runs smoothly, a few parts have been made to suit, scrap leather from "Mister Minit" and the saddlery company in nearby Kilmore donated a couple of bits for the hinges, a mate from our club, Northern Woodturners did the pyrography bit on her name, and a lady from Riddells Creek was fantastic in offering advice as to how it should operate. I did not have to replace the "double distaff" Skew as there
    was not one on it when she purchased it and has no intention of spinning flax. Thank you all for your
    assistance in this "learning experience" for me.

    Allan
    Attached Images Attached Images
    Life is short ... smile while you still have teeth.

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