Schacht Spinning Wheels

Schacht has built spinning wheels in Boulder, Colorado since 1969. Each model serves a different spinner: the Flatiron Saxony for ergonomic studio work, the Matchless for traditional double-drive, the Sidekick for travel, and the Ladybug for first-time spinners. Whorls, bobbins, and flyers cross between models.

Schacht Spinning Wheels: Boulder-Built Quality Since 1969

When a wheel has been made in the same Boulder, Colorado workshop since 1969, you know it's doing something right. Schacht spinning wheels have earned that kind of staying power, and we've stocked them long enough to know exactly which models fit which spinners. We've been living and breathing fiber arts since 1997, and spinning wheels are genuinely our specialty, so we recommend Schacht with real confidence. Whether you're learning your very first draft or putting serious hours on a production wheel, there's a Schacht spinning wheel engineered to match the way you spin, all backed by a shared accessory system that keeps them relevant for decades.

We're family owned and operated, and because we make our own spinning wheel right here in the shop, we understand these machines deeply, from assembly to parts to repair.

Choosing a Schacht Spinning Wheel

Each wheel in Schacht's lineup is built for a different kind of spinner, so it helps to know their strengths before you choose:

  • The Matchless is the production-tier wheel, double-drive standard with a scotch tension swap, sized for spinners who put real hours on a wheel.
  • The Flatiron is the studio Saxony, offering three tension modes from one frame, and it ships flat to assemble in a couple of hours.
  • The Sidekick folds at the hinge and tucks into a closet between sessions, the wheel that goes to the retreat with you.
  • The Ladybug is the first-wheel choice, light enough to learn on without being slight enough to outgrow.

Whichever model calls to you, we're glad to help you find the right fit. And if you're weighing your options across brands, it's worth comparing Schacht against our Majacraft spinning wheels and Kromski spinning wheels to find the feel and price that suit you best.

The Shared Schacht Accessory Ecosystem

One of the smartest reasons to buy into the Schacht family is cross-compatibility. The whorls, bobbins, and standard flyer cross between the Matchless, Flatiron, Sidekick, and Ladybug. A whorl bought today still fits a wheel bought ten years from now, and the Bulky Plyer Flyer turns any of them into a chunky-yarn or plying station. That cross-compatibility is the reason a lot of Schacht owners end up with two wheels, one for the studio and one for travel, both eating from the same accessory drawer. You'll find bobbins, whorls, and more in our spinning wheel parts and accessories collection, and plenty of fiber to spin in our undyed yarn and roving selection.

Schacht Service and Support Out of Spokane

Paradise Fibers carries the full Schacht line from our Spokane, Washington store, and with our own experience building spinning wheels, we're ready to help with anything you need, whether that's assembly questions, parts identification, or repair. Schacht has been making wheels in Boulder, Colorado since 1969, and we've stocked them long enough to know which models fit which spinners. We're family owned and operated, not bought up by a private equity firm like so many of our competitors have been lately, and we back the brands we sell personally. If you love Schacht's craftsmanship, you'll want to see their weaving looms too.

Want to try a wheel in person before deciding? Our showroom, tucked into a restored historic bakery with 27,500 square feet of fiber heaven, is open to visitors, and our friendly crew is just a chat bubble away whenever you have a question.

Frequently Asked Questions

The Ladybug is Schacht's go-to first wheel, since it's light and approachable enough to learn on comfortably, yet capable enough that you won't outgrow it as your skills develop. It offers smooth, reliable spinning without the higher price or complexity of a production wheel, which makes it a favorite for newcomers. That said, the folding Sidekick is another beginner-friendly option if portability matters to you, and we're glad to help you decide based on your goals and budget.

The Matchless is Schacht's production-tier wheel, built for spinners who log serious hours and want the control of double-drive with the option to swap to scotch tension. It's more substantial and refined than the entry and travel wheels, making it ideal for dedicated spinners producing a lot of yarn. The Ladybug and Sidekick prioritize approachability and portability respectively, while the Flatiron is the elegant studio Saxony, so the best pick really depends on how and how much you spin.

Yes, and this is one of the best things about the Schacht system, since the whorls, bobbins, and standard flyer cross between the Matchless, Flatiron, Sidekick, and Ladybug. That means a whorl or bobbin you buy today will still fit a Schacht wheel you purchase years down the road, and add-ons like the Bulky Plyer Flyer work across the lineup. This cross-compatibility is exactly why many Schacht owners happily keep one wheel for the studio and another for travel, all sharing the same accessory drawer.

The Sidekick is designed specifically with portability in mind, folding at the hinge so it tucks into a closet at home or comes along to retreats, classes, and guild meetings. Despite folding down, it's a capable wheel that shares accessories with the rest of the Schacht family, so you don't sacrifice performance for convenience. If you spin on the go or need to store your wheel compactly between sessions, the Sidekick is well worth considering.

Absolutely, and it's one of the reasons spinners like buying from us, since our own experience building spinning wheels means we genuinely understand how these machines go together and how to keep them running. We're happy to help with assembly questions, identify the right part, or assist with repairs, whether you bought your wheel recently or years ago. You can reach our crew by phone or chat, or bring your wheel into our Spokane showroom for hands-on help.