Schacht Spinning Wheel Whorls Schacht

Whorls for Schacht Spinning Wheels

Each new Schacht spinning wheel comes with a medium and a fast speed whorl. Whorls allow the bobbin to turn at a particular speed in relation to the revolutions of the wheel’s drive band. This relationship is given as a spinning ratio.

A slower (bigger) whorl will slow down the bobbin and produce a yarn with less twist; a faster (smaller) whorl will speed up the bobbin and produce a yarn with more twist. Each Schacht whorl has a bigger and smaller ridge into which the drive band can sit, so each whorl gives two possible spinning ratios. 

Thread Collective now offers a broad spectrum of whorls to fit the Flatiron, Ladybug, Matchless, and Sidekick spinning wheels from Schacht. Choose the size you want and the wood to match your Schacht wheel. Whorls are interchangeable for these spinning wheels.

Please use the following as a guide for the spinning wheel whorl ratios.

Flatiron Whorl Ratios

Ladybug Whorl Ratios

Sidekick Whorl Ratios

Note: The Extra Slow Speed Whorl is not compatible with the Sidekick

Matchless Whorl Ratios

**A high-speed bobbin is required for spinning with high speed and super high-speed whorls in double drive. (High-speed bobbins are not required for Scotch tension mode.)

What whorl should you use for your Schacht wheel?

It depends on your treadling rate, the fibre you’re spinning, and the amount of twist you want. There are no hard and fast rules about whorls. Choose a whorl that helps your wheel do as much work for you as possible. In general, you will have to select bigger whorls or ridges for longer or coarser fibre. Select smaller whorls or ridges for shorter or finer fibre.