Posted by Diana on Saturday, 26 March 2005, at 4:17 p.m.:
In Reply to: looking for high-quality handbuilt spinning wheel recommendations posted by robin on Thursday, 24 March 2005, at 6:55 p.m.:
Robin-
Before you decideon a wheel, I'd recommend that you consider Gord Lendrum's Saxony wheel. It truely "spins like butter." Before I ordered mine, I "test drove" just about every wheel made, including the Wyatt wheels, and the Lendrum saxony wheel has them all beat, for the money. It's the best kept secret in spinning wheels I've found. It is custom-made in either maple, cherry, or walnut, all for the same price of $790.00. It comes as a double treadle with either double drive with scotch tension option, or single drive with scotch tension. You can see the wheel by doing a quick search on the internet using Google or take a look at the following web site : http://www.woolery.com/Pages/lendrumfr.html
Gord Lendrum is one of the few woodworkers who offers to make a left or right handed wheel, too. The quality of workmanship is superb! Although the wheel comes unfinished, it's easy to apply a coat or two of tung oil and you're good to go. Before I ordered mine, I tried just about every wheel made, and there was no comparison in this price range.
I would definitely recommend that you not buy a wheel based on word-of-mouth. I would have been greatly disappointed had I done so, because a number of the wheels I tried that came HIGHLY recommended, I did not care for at all. Each has their own "feel."
Now if money is no object, I'd recommend a Norm Hall wheel. He's a very talented woodworker from New York state and makes the most beautifully handcrafted wheels I've ever seen. At $2,500+ they're a bit pricey, but so worth it I've put a deposit down on his 7yr waiting list to get my dream wheel. Don't tell my husband ;o). Good luck!!