Two antique spinning wheels and a third, more modern spinning wheel, were brought to me for repairs. The oldest of the three is quite old and appeared to me to be primitive.
This is the oldest of the three wheels. The main mounting board is made from "old growth timber" over two inches thick. There are more than 35 annual growth rings per inch of width.
This part was broken and the missing piece was lost. A patch or a "dutchman" will be added.
This spinning wheel is made mostly from Chestnut wood.
First step is to create a pattern
This patch will have to be made from two pieces of wood. Ash was used since it is similar to chestnut.
The first part of the patch was not the correct shape and had to be removed. Must pay attention!
The correct shape patch has been glued in place and planed flat to accept the second part of the patch
The second part of the patch glued in place.
Glue is cured and ready to shape using planes, chisels, carving tools and a hand saw.
Shaped and ready to fit to the spinning wheel.
The fit is perfect, and the wooden threaded tension screw will function as it has for the last century and a half.
The color was matched by dying the new ash patch with a water based dye. Next the ash wood was stained with pigment stain and finally sealed with several coats of dewaxed shellac.