Assemble the SpinOlution Mach II spinning wheel
The SpinOlution Mach 2 spinning wheel arrives in a rectangular cardboard box 92 cm x 63 cm by 22.5 cm high. On unpacking the box, you will find that there are 4 pieces and a plastic bag of screws and washers, plus two extra bobbins. Lay out the pieces and check that you have everything. You should have the following;
- Main Mach II spinning wheel frame with drive wheel
- The flyer assembly (with 1 bobbin)
- The two legs / feet with heel-pads
- A plastic grip seal bag containing 6 crosshead screws (two 6 cm, two 4.5 cm and two 3 cm), 6 washers, the Mach II drive band and four tension knob components (white T-shaped nylon washer and spring, black plastic knob and 2½ inch plywood friction rod with curved leather friction pad).
1) Release the wheel The wheel is locked in place by the two toe brakes. Release the wheel by gently rotating the toe brakes out from between the wheel and the frame.
2) Fitting the feet or legs Fix one leg to one side of the base of the frame by pushing the leg cutout onto the correct rear corner of the frame and then screwing three screws (small, medium and large) with washers through the holes provided. The largest screws go into the bottom hole of each leg, the medium screws into the middle hole and the smallest screws into the upper hole. Then attach the other leg in the same manner.
3) Fixing the spindle Remove the E-clip from the end of the spindle shaft using a narrow bladed screwdriver or similar tool, and remove the adjacent washer. Leave one washer, the spring washer and another washer in that order. Push the spindle shaft into the top bearing, add the washer that you removed, replacing it on the back of the shaft and then replace the E-clip. The E-clip requires firm pressure, applied preferably with a curved metal spatula, so that it snaps back into place.
4) Fitting the Drive Band Drape the drive band over the back of the spindle and onto one of the smaller pulley grooves on the flyer assembly. Then gently pull on the spring-loaded treadles so that they are pulled away from the base. Holding the treadle assembly in that position with one hand, thread the drive band between wheel and treadle assembly. Release pressure on the treadles so that the assembly returns to its original position next to the wheel but make sure that the Pitman bearing mechanism is seated into the wooden slot on the back of the treadle assembly upright. If necessary, pull out the treadle assembly again to properly seat the mechanism in the slot.
Using both hands, feed the drive band around the wheel and ensure that it turns the flyer assembly freely when the wheel rotates.
5) Fitting the Tension Knob Place the T-shaped white nylon washer and the spring on the ¼ inch stud on top of the wheel with the nylon piece down. The nylon washer should be sitting on top of the 2½ inch plywood friction rod with curved leather friction pad. The leather pad faces downwards and applies drag to the bobbin through pressure on the spindle of the flyer. Screw the black plastic knob onto the stud. This wheel is a flyer-led wheel and the lower the knob, the more tension that is applied.
6) Final steps Your SpinOlution Mach II spinning wheel is now ready for you to use. Remove the bobbin and tie a leader through the two adjacent holes on the back disc of the bobbin, then re-install the bobbin.
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