Friendly, periodic reminder since this has been happening a lot recently: Perhaps it’s a phase of the moon, or alignment of stars, or…? Tthere have been lots of shaft mishaps. These slender pieces of wood need your help to protect them against getting stepped on, sat on (ouch!) or chomped on by animals.
Each original shaft was made specifically for that particular spindle. Ed does his best to make a new one that will work just as well but it’s not like being able to continually test the shaft with that spindle until the ideal length and diameter makes the spindle spin as smoothly as possible.
Funny Story: As Ed was turning a shaft on his lathe it snapped, flying off the lathe so fast that he had no idea where it landed. After looking all over the floor he gave up and started to make a new one. Bending a bit at the lathe he felt something odd in his pants pocket. The shaft had sailed so quickly and smoothly into his pocket that he hadn’t even felt it happen.
A handful of Larks will appear in the Store at 8:30 a.m. followed by Aegeans at 8:45 a.m., Saturday, Feb 20th
Five Larks at 8:30 a.m. Pacific Standard Time:
Six Aegeans at 8:45 a.m. Saturday morning
Not sure about the differences between Ed’s various styles of spindles? Learn about them at the Spindle Style Comparison Page.
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Oh Gosh Laughed so Hard over that story with Ed, had to have hubby pause the movie Deer Hunter to read it to him – We Both got a good laugh 😀
Fascinating process to how shafts are made to go with each spindle.
Can you maybe post sometime on good ways to travel with them safely? Am now curious about ideas for shaft protectors…
Gorgeous Spindles tomorrow, I will be busy so will miss on these lovelies – Happy Hunting Everyone <3
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Rigid spindle containers are the best protection that I’m aware of. If using and you want to keep them handy just be sure to put them up high where nothing can knock it off. When traveling I remove the shaft and place it next to the wrapped arms in the container. (See Jan 1st post about spindle containers.)
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I keep my Jenkin’s spindles, along with the current fiber, in single malt scotch boxes. They are round, rigid, and keep everything safe.
The only problem is, I would not take them to a gathering (fiber festival, etc.) in one of these boxes….someone may pinch the box thinking they were going to get some expensive whiskey. Not that my spindles aren’t valuable too…..