The Louet S17 is a highly capable wheel, with huge bobbin/fiber capacity, at the lowest price point on the market. Though it's an "entry level" pricepoint, be do NOT see spinners sell it off for their next wheel often, it remains a staple (pun intended) part of their wheel family.
Favored by fiber artists with a herd who have a lot of fiber to process, the S17 now comes with a sliding hook flyer as standard, a yarn twist keeper on its front upright, a new flyer orifice seat for lighter weight treadling action with less friction. Ask us how to spin laceweight on this wheel without switching flyers in the live-chat! We ❤️ this lil' wheel.
We've also found that this wheel is very compact though full-size, has a small footprint, and is easy to carry with its turned hand-hold dowel under the maidens. At 11 pounds, it weighs less than many "Travelling" wheels! For these reasons and its low maintenance adjustments and bearings, we've included the S17 in our "Travelling Wheels" list.
The first generation Louet spinning wheels, like the S10 and S17, all have a single belt bobbin drive with an adjustable flyer brake to regulate tension. This results in spinning wheels that are very easy to learn how to spin on, and also very suitable to spin thicker yarns.
The bobbins have three pulleys (gears/settings) that can be used to obtain three spinning speeds or ratios. By using different types of bobbins and flyers, Louet spinning wheels can be used to produce every kind of yarn, from coarse wool to fine silks.
A High Speed Set is also available for this wheel for easier spinning of very fine yarns.
Finally, an excellent spinning wheel must turn freely and quietly. Accordingly Louet uses maintenance-free ball bearings in the main hub and at the footman connection. (No lubrication is required). The wheels are made of a laminated hardwood with a "birch" exterior finish.
Specifications:
- Fly wheel: Circumference 50 cm (19 3/4")
- Ratios: 1:5.5, 1:7.5, 1:10.5
- Orifice Diameter: 12 mm (1/2"), height 70 cm (27 5/8")
- Weight: 11lb (5kg)
- Unfinished Tulip Wood
- Comes with 3 Bobbins & 2-Pole On-Board Lazy Kate
Accessories available:
- Extra bobbins high speed bobbin and matching flyer (clear lacquered)
- High speed fat core bobbin (clear lacquered)
- Bulky bobbin and matching flyer (clear lacquered)
- Stand alone skeinwinder lazy kate with adjustable brake for four bobbins (clear lacquered)