Restoring a vintage Ashford Traditional Spinning Wheel

I've wanted to restore an old Ashford Traddy for a few years now and I finally found a suitable wheel... and it's quite the transformation!

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00:00 Intro
02:10 Tracking down a Traddy
02:57 Assessing the wheel
06:03 Disassembling the wheel
06:48 Restoring the Ashford Traditional
09:59 Reassembling the Traddy
10:41. Ashford Traditional Pre-1981 Crank Assembly
12:06 The restoration revealed

[SuzanneASutton]

You are a gift. Thank you for this. I got my Ashford wheel in 1976 or so, and in the decades of life knocking us around, it has sat unused for so many years. I have wanted to return to spinning again, but had no idea if I could ever use that wheel. Thanks to you, I now know it may be quite salvageable. Your generosity in sharing your knowledge in such a high quality video is considerable and I can't thank you enough. If I could, I would bake you your very favorite bread or cake or biscuit.

[elviramcintosh]

I just watched it again and I love the instruction about re-inserting the screws by entering it anti-clockwise first. Brilliant. Thanks again.

[elviramcintosh]

Excellent instructions. And it makes so much sense to add that drawing pin!!! Greetings from Australia.

[cory.doras]

LOL I love the images of it on the train. I just picked up my own 1975 Ashford Traddy for repair! It's my first wheel <3

[breannekoszewski]

This may be my sign to get the mid 80s tradi I just passed but this one is in wonderful condition

[Momcat]

Thanks so much for this! My daughter and I found an old Ashford Traditional today at a thrift shop. We'll need a new flyer (it appears to have been used as a chew toy) but the rest of it is intact and in reasonably good condition.

[thatbearlife]

Thank you so much for this! I was gifted a lovely 1975 Ashford Traditional, a week ago. I've got it all oiled up, and finally found a video on how to make this particular Scotch tension work. I got the Ashford maintenance kit for all of that. I rasped part of my footman, which I now regret, as your video shows that there is a nut missing on mine, that would have allowed some space.

[liamthoralexanderspencer]

Interesting video! I’m 17 and my mom spins, I’ve been interested in it as well and decided on a … weird approach, to make a wheel out of old second hand antique parts! Given I’ve got experience in engineering and spinning wheels we thought it would be an interesting project and this video was an interesting insight on common problems!

[analogrhymes]

I recently purchased a wheel that has no markings but has to be a traditional of about this same era. And the little things you said about reusing part give so much more context to my wheel. I still need to get mine some rust remover but this was such a wonderful video!

[tricosui]

I've gotten the slightly newer version of this version of the wheel (still had the old 1970s spokes + maidens, but with the tension knob in front and the sides had ridges, like the 1981 version), and I only realize now watching this video how well it was maintained! Mine previously belonged to a handicrafts teacher, and her husband was a woodworking teacher so they knew what they were doing - Only needed to oil it to get it running, and remove some rust from the flyer. I updated the flyer and got some extra bobbins, the old one was also completely made out of wood and while it spun nicely on the flyer, it was a bit crooked - enough to mess with the tension when spinning. There are still some screws that are a bit rusty, but it seems to only affect the head - not sure whether I feel confident enoguh in my abilities yet to fit it all back together again, so for now they will stay as they are :)

[AdelardRen]

This video is helpful. I'm moving across the country, and need to take my traditional apart to fit it into a box (she's something I absolutely refuse to part with).
Mine is actually also a 1975-1981, but I hadn't realized until your video that the maiden uprights are shaped like the 1965-1975 model. They have the the graphite hardware, though. I would definitely have remained oblivious (if a little confused) if you hadn't mentioned they made good use of the leftover pieces from previous years.

My traditional was in very reasonable shape when I got it, it was missing the scotch tension knob, and the treadle had a squeak. The squeak persisted for some time, even after oil, but after a few months of regular use and care, it disappeared.

[Makeitwhimsy]

Thank you for this video! A few months ago I got an Ashford traditional similar in condition to yours and needed to do a hub repair and replace missing parts. Your video was one of just a few I found to be very helpful.

[CBRBikerChick]

Thanks for this information! Super helpful! I just picked up a traddy 1975 with 4 bobbins, niddy noddy, carders & lazy Kate for £75. It is functional and came from a spinner but will be following your advice on cleaning etc to bring it back.

[grahamhall]

Having repaired a few spinning wheels myself this is and excellent how to video. Well done.

[bybeccalewis]

I love my 1980's Trad and I'm so inspired by the transformation I think I'm going to give my old girl a sand and oil . I say old girl she is younger than me . Great video 👍

[RoxanneRichardson]

It's gorgeous! You've done a wonderful job. 🙂

[DeliciaNZ]

Great video, we have just found my husband's grandmothers international 1975 and it was in same poor state, so we have oiled all the wood and ordered new parts to re-assemble. Fun little project.

[Kristelle]

This particular episode got me to take action on the secondhand Ashford Traditional I've had sitting in my home for around 3 months. I bought it through eBay marketplace here in Melbourne, Australia. They are relatively easy to find in Australia. Mine is a 1984 model, so has the slightly less attractive spokes (I agree with you about the simpler style being more attractive, but I'm okay with fussier look if the wheel works well). My wheel is in great condition. I just need to practise using her and force myself to break away from my Kiwi 3.

Becks, I've watched a lot of spinning on YouTube and your videos are the most technically interesting and the best prepared and presented. You engage with your audience in a way that shows your passion for this craft whilst never being condescending or moving too far off topic. It is so refreshing. I've got back into my spinning a number of times after watching some of your videos and wanting to try a new technique.

Thanks so much for your dedication and sharing your expertise. Kris

[trericeseamstress]

Same age as mine, love it! Thanks very much for this video, very helpful.

[jmmusjmmus]

Interesting video, thanks for posting.