noise

How to silence a singing spinning wheel. Why is my wheel squealing? My wheel is singing opera!

spinolution tension block

SpinOlution spinning wheels squeal, chirp, or sing when they are ready for the tension block to be maintained.

The noise is caused by the flyer rod rubbing against worn felt and creating a high pitched chirp, squeal, or ringing noise.

How to Fix:

The tension block can be found on the side of the flyer head and can be removed by unscrewing the black screw counter clockwise.

  1. Remove the tension block

  2. Inspect the bottom of the felt

  3. Rough up the felt

  4. Rotate the block 180 degrees

  5. Place the block back into the hole

  6. Add the tension hardware on the screw so it rests on the block (white bushing flat against the wooden block and screw against the black knob) down

  7. Screw the knob down to add tension and start spinning!

spinolution tension block how to

TENSION TIPS

  • To set: Start by twisting the knob until there is no pressure on the spring resting on it, so that any more clockwise twisting of the knob would cause the spring to start to compress.

  • Hold the leader straight from the orifice hook toward you, not at an angle. Always go along all the pegs from the first one you come to, to the front of the flyer arm.

  • Hold the yarn you are making in a line from the center of the orifice hook to you. You may find you need to increase tension slightly – only a quarter turn at a time – as the bobbin approaches full.

  • The fuller the bobbin is, the more it can overcome the braking pressure. This is true of any Scotch tension based flyer system.

  • On large bobbins, the weight of yarn on the bobbin will make treadling under high tension difficult. Remove some tension and allow the weight of the yarn to function as momentum based tension while you finish filling the bobbin.

  • To spin ultrafine or short staple fibers, try completely removing the tension block.

SQUEALING / CHIRPING NOISE

DO NOT OIL, SERIOUSLY. NO OIL.

  • This will happen during the lifetime of your wheel and is considered routine maintenance. It means the Tension block needs to be rotated or fresh felt to absorb friction and silence the noise of it pressing on the flyer.

  • To rotate: spin the block around 180 degrees and insert it back into the head.

  • To change the felt: Scrape the felt off. Apply rubber cement to the block and apply fresh felt to the cement. Wait to dry completely and then place back in the head secured by properly aligned tension hardware.

Why is my treadle making a knocking noise?

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NEW: Current SpinOlution wheel models have a band on top of the treadle hub to keep it closed as a permanent fix.

The knocking is happening because the oval treadle is opening up and hitting the bearings instead of staying closed around the bearings. This could be caused in a change of humidity causing the wood to shrink and the treadle to loosen and open.

Temporary Fix: Put a rubber band around the outside of the treadle to keep it from opening. Just in case you are traveling with your wheel to a new environment (especially a dry climate) it would be a good idea to bring a rubber band with you just in case the wood of your wheel is effected by that new climate. 

Permanent Fix: Add 3 layers of painters tape to the inside of the treadle (so that it is hidden), and gently close the treadle to secure. This should resolve the knocking. 

If you are still having knocking issues, email photos of your wheel (including treadle and any information regarding how you've tried to resolve the issue) to info@spinolution.com and we will help you troubleshoot. 

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