Spinning Wheel Parts to Keep Your Wheel Turning

A spinning wheel is a beautiful machine, and like any machine, it occasionally needs a fresh part to keep humming along. Whether a drive band has stretched out, a bobbin has filled its last skein, or a flyer hook has finally given up, the right spinning wheel parts get you back to spinning instead of staring at a stalled wheel. We've been living and breathing fiber arts since 1997, and spinning wheels are genuinely our specialty. We even design and build our own wheels right here in the shop, so when it comes to keeping yours in top shape, you're talking to people who really know these machines inside and out.

We're family owned and operated, and we won't stock cheap, ill-fitting components. Every part in this collection is chosen to perform and last, because a smooth-running wheel makes for happier, more even spinning.

Understanding the Parts of a Spinning Wheel

If you're newer to the craft, it helps to know the parts of a spinning wheel so you can pinpoint exactly what you need. Wheels share a common anatomy, and once you can name the pieces, ordering the right spinning wheel replacement parts gets a whole lot easier. Here are the components spinners replace most often:

  • Bobbins, which hold your spun yarn and are handy to keep on hand in multiples so you never have to stop mid-project.
  • Drive bands, the loops that transfer motion from the wheel to the flyer and naturally stretch over time.
  • Flyers and flyer hooks, which guide the twist onto the bobbin and see a lot of wear.
  • Whorls, which change your ratios and let you fine-tune how much twist you're adding.
  • Footman, treadle, and conrod connections, the moving links that occasionally need refreshing.

Knowing these parts of spinning wheel anatomy also makes troubleshooting easier, and if you're ever stuck identifying a piece, our team is glad to help you sort it out.

Ashford Spinning Wheel Parts and Replacements

We carry a deep selection of Ashford spinning wheel parts, since Ashford is one of the most popular and trusted names spinners reach for. From bobbins and drive bands to flyers, whorls, and the smaller hardware that keeps everything connected, we aim to stock the components that keep your wheel spinning for decades. A few reasons spinners come to us when they need spinning wheel parts for sale:

  • In-house spinning wheel repair shop, so we work on these wheels every day and know which parts fit what.
  • We make our own wheels and tools, including processing equipment built right here in the USA.
  • Family owned and operated, not bought up by a private equity firm like so many of our competitors have been lately.
  • Fast same-day shipping on most orders, with free shipping when you spend $99 or more.
  • Expert spinners on hand who actually spin, ready to help you find the right part.

Every purchase also helps us support local farms and Freddy's Dog Rescue, so a little extra good rides along with your order.

Spinning Wheel Accessories and In-Person Help

Beyond replacement parts, this collection includes the spinning wheel accessories that make spinning more comfortable and productive, from extra bobbins and lazy kates to oils and maintenance odds and ends. Our shop lives in a restored historic bakery in Spokane, four floors and 27,500 square feet of fiber heaven, with that in-house repair bench where wheels can be demonstrated and serviced on site. Yes, Travis still bakes his sourdough and raspberry scones on Saturdays, so come by, bring your wheel, and grab a snack. Can't make the trip? No problem. Our parts ship worldwide, and our friendly crew is just a chat bubble or a phone call away whenever you have a question.

Frequently Asked Questions

The best starting point is identifying the make and model of your wheel, since parts like bobbins, flyers, and whorls are often specific to a particular brand or even a particular model year. From there, learning the basic anatomy of a spinning wheel helps you name the piece that's worn or broken, whether it's a drive band, a flyer hook, or a footman connection. If you're unsure, send us your wheel's details or a photo and our repair team can identify the right part for you so you don't order the wrong thing.

Many Ashford parts are designed for specific models, so while the brand is consistent in quality, a bobbin or flyer for one wheel won't necessarily fit another. The key details to confirm are your exact model name and, where relevant, the generation or version, because Ashford has updated some designs over the years. When in doubt, just tell us which Ashford wheel you own and we'll make sure the part you're ordering is the correct match before it ships.

It varies with how much you spin, but drive bands are the most common wear item since they stretch and lose grip over time, and many spinners replace them periodically as a matter of routine maintenance. Bobbins don't wear out so much as run out, which is why most spinners like to keep several extras on hand to avoid stopping a project to ply or wind off. Flyers, whorls, and hardware last much longer and usually only need attention if they're damaged or worn from heavy use.

Most common replacements, like swapping a drive band, changing a bobbin, or replacing a worn flyer hook, are straightforward enough to do yourself with a little patience and the right part. More involved repairs, such as issues with the treadle assembly, the wheel's bearings, or structural wood pieces, are where our in-house repair shop really comes in handy. If you're not sure whether a fix is a quick DIY or a job for us, reach out and we'll give you an honest answer either way.

Replacement parts address a specific worn or broken component, like a stretched drive band or a cracked bobbin, and are the right call when you know exactly what's failed. A full service goes further, checking the whole wheel for wear, oiling moving parts, and adjusting tension and alignment so everything runs smoothly together. Many spinners do both over a wheel's lifetime, handling small part swaps themselves and bringing the wheel in for a thorough tune-up now and then, which is exactly what our repair bench is here for.