Bobbin for spinning wheel.

[artful bodger]

Got asked out of the blue if I could make a bobbin for a spinning wheel. Having never made one before and unsure what they were I asked if the lady had one already that I could look at before committing to a quote.
Yes there was one to look at, this is it.
459751 459752
I asked how come the hole in the middle is black at the ends and the lady said she thought it was "wear from being on the wheel".
I had thought perhaps it was from being turned on a dead centre (non spinning) tailstock centre especially seeing that one end in particular has a tapered"ish" hole.
Looking on ebay to see what else is available it seems just about all the various ones available have these black ends so I assume it is some sort of plain bearing that runs on the metal shaft of the spinning wheel.
So, seeing that woodturners have a higher propensity than most to be married to someone who spins wool is there someone out there who can answer the following?.
Do these bobbins need that black bearing material on either end of the hole that runs though them or will they be fine if they just use the length of the hole as the bearing surface?.
Thanks in advance.

[Skew ChiDAMN!!]

Do these bobbins need that black bearing material on either end of the hole that runs though them or will they be fine if they just use the length of the hole as the bearing surface?.

I've turned plenty with a simple full length bore and have had no complaints. The 'lightweight' spinners, for whom it would matter, have always preferred some form of bearing end to reduce friction, but for the average hobbyist? :no:

Mind you, it's just as easy to drill an oversize bore and fit some form of bearing as it is to drill correct size and get the damn bore perfectly straight. (That matters!)

Bearings can be as simple as a metal or leather washer, or turned from corian, a hard-wearing timber or whatever. Ideally something that will absorb oil to provide lube for a span.

[artful bodger]

Well I am glad you said that Skew.
Was kind of under pressure when the lady turned up with her bobbin. There was a friend waiting in the idling car when I was shown the item and I had to look at the bobbin and give a quote in about 1 minute. Did not really have enough time to look closely. Actually thought it was all turned out of one bit of wood at first.
Asked, "how many were required".
Depends on how much they are, looked em up online and can't get that size.
How about 60 bucks?.
I'll have 2.
OK.
Next day in shed looking closer at the sample item it is clear that it is made from 3 bits stuck together. The quote is looking shaky, I'll bet others know the feeling.
Anyway sometimes a job becomes easier when you just strike the first blow and get into it.
459755 First turned the, axles or shafts between centres then used the centre hole on the good old vicmarc chuck to hold from one end while drilling with a drill chuck in the tailstock. Used some myrtle for the shafts.
Turned the ends from Tassie oak.
459756 The bit on one end, where I imagine the driving string runs was pretty narrow so ground up a little chisel to do the job with.
459757 A bit like a mini skew chisel viewed from above but ground like a scraper. No way were my skew chisels up for the task, too big.
Hope it works on the wheel.

[KBs PensNmore]

Nice work:2tsup:. When I do them, I drill the hole first, and then use a pen mandrel and bushes to set up the shoulders and get them paralell, glue on the ends after having drilled them already. Then turn the lot to run straight and polish. I use delrin for the black bits as it seems to last a loooong time.
It's fun when you're asked to make some, but there's no sample!!!!
Kryn

[smiife]

Well done AB , the customer should be happy with those......:2tsup:

[Skew ChiDAMN!!]

Looks good.

So long as the overall length of the bobbin, the dia. of the bore and the diameter of the whorl (the pulley) match closely, she should be happy.

If everything else is of similar size so it physically fits on the wheel (in the flyer, if you know what that is) then all should be :2tsup: