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Refinishing a Spinning Wheel

A spinning wheel is a simple machine used to convert textile fibers into thread or yarn. Yarn spun from the wheel is collected on a bobbin or a stick, which in turn is woven into a loom or a cloth. Typical household or small scale spinning wheels are made from wood, and are used to twist fibers of cotton or wool into thread. Most wooden spinning wheels sold in stores can be corroded and creaky and often required scraping, oiling and polishing before they can become fully functional.

Things You'll Need

240 and 420 grit sandpaper
dye or oil primer
danish oil or thinned polyurethane

Instructions

- 1
  Disassemble the spinning wheel. A wheel will hinge on a lever which allows it to spin and often is assembled joining different slices of wood. Disassemble all the hardware -- whorl shaft, bobbin, pulley and the frame -- and label them appropriately. Remove the parts in a sequential order, which you can trace back when reassembling. Label each of the joints and sockets so that all parts can be refitted in their right positions. Store all screws and bolts in a plastic bag.
- 2
  Remove the surface coarse using the sandpaper. Sand with a 240 grit sandpaper to remove surface coarse. You can also use a putty knife to peel off tough patches. Clear the sanding dust and sand again with a 420 grit sandpaper to remove finer coarse.
- 3
  Apply the first coat of polish. You can use dye or an oil primer an undercoat coat for your spinning wheel. Use a thin brush to hand pain hard to reach corners and allow the base coat to dry fully. Once again use a 400 grit sandpaper to smooth the surface, after the first coat.
- 4
  Apply the finish coat with Danish oil or thinned polyurethane.Danish oil filters through wooden pores and gives a glistening look. Thinned polyurethane is a mixture of 50 percent polyurethane and 50% mineral spirits and can be purchased off the rack. While Danish oil coating gives a smoother, shinier surface, thinned polyurethane is more durable and coating will last longer.
- 5
  Reassemble the spinning wheel. Once the final coat of paint fully dries, you can resemble the spinning wheel.

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