Thinking about buying a used spinning wheel off Craigslist

I saw a listing for a 1970s Ashford spinning wheel for $150 near my town. The lady selling it says it was her grandmother's and it turns fine but needs a new drive band. I knit a lot but I have never spun my own yarn before. Is this a good deal for a beginner or am I gonna end up with a decoration taking up space in my living room?

2 comments

2 Comments

patricialee17d agoMost Upvoted

Go for it. I bought a used wheel off Craigslist a few years back knowing absolutely nothing about spinning and it was the best decision. The Ashford is a solid brand, they're built to last and parts are easy to find if something does break. A new drive band is a super simple fix, it's literally a loop of string. For $150 you really can't go wrong, a new wheel of similar quality would cost you four or five times that. Worst case you don't love it and you can easily resell it for the same price. Jump on it before someone else does.

paigep2017d ago

Drive band is a loop of string only if you're talking about the old cotton ones. Most Ashfords these days use a poly drive band that needs a knot or a clip to join it, though a braided nylon band is still pretty simple. Still worth it for $150, just don't go in expecting to tie a shoelace knot and call it done.