Schacht Flatiron Spinning Wheel

The Flatiron is Schacht's modern Saxony spinning wheel. The classic Saxony silhouette puts the orifice in front of you with the drive wheel angled to the side, an ergonomic geometry that lets you sit closer to the wheel and watch the twist enter the yarn directly. Schacht updated the traditional Saxony design with self-aligning bearings, a fully adjustable drive wheel, and the option to build the wheel with the flyer on the left or the right depending on your handedness or studio layout.

Where the Flatiron really stands out is the ratio range. The Super High Speed whorl reaches 26.1:1, the kind of high-twist territory that opens up cotton singles, very fine laceweight, and tightly-plied sock yarns on the same wheel that handles standard worsted-weight 2-ply. The 22.5 In drive wheel, the largest in the Schacht lineup, is what makes those ratios possible. You get a Saxony aesthetic with a working spinner's flexibility.

Made in Boulder, Colorado from maple plywood and solid maple with a hand-rubbed Danish oil finish. Schacht has been building spinning and weaving tools in Boulder since 1969.

What's Included

• Flatiron spinning wheel (ships flat-packed for assembly at home)
• 3 travel bobbins
• Medium and Fast Speed whorls (each with two ratio grooves)
• Orifice hook
• Cotton drive band
• Poly drive band
• Owner's manual with assembly instructions

Specifications

• Drive system: Scotch tension, double drive, bobbin lead
• Treadles: double
• Weight: 15 lb (6.8 kg)
• Orifice height: 26 In (66 cm)
• Drive wheel diameter: 22.5 In (57.2 cm)
• Frame: Saxony-style, flyer-left or flyer-right at assembly
• Materials: maple plywood and solid maple
• Finish: hand-rubbed Danish oil
• Made in Boulder, Colorado, USA

Whorl Ratios

Each whorl has two grooves giving two ratio options. Move the drive band between grooves to switch.

The Medium and Fast Speed whorls included with the Flatiron cover the broad middle of handspinning, from worsted-weight singles through standard 2-ply yarns. The Flatiron's distinctive range is at the higher end: the High and Super High Speed whorls reach 26.1:1, putting laceweight singles, cotton, and tightly-plied sock yarns within reach. The Slow and Extra Slow whorls give more control for chunky and bulky art yarn singles when you want to swing the other direction.

If you spin in double drive mode at High Speed or Super High Speed whorl ratios, the High Speed Bobbin (WS6703) is required. The bobbin spins actively in double drive at high ratios and the High Speed Bobbin's geometry is designed for it. In Scotch tension mode the bobbin is held by the brake band and any standard bobbin works with every whorl.

Compatible Accessories

Expand your Flatiron with Schacht's range of compatible accessories.

• FI8805 Flatiron Bulky Plyer Flyer Package with 7/8 In orifice and 8 oz bobbin capacity, for bulky yarns, art yarns, and plying
• Additional whorls: Extra Slow (WS6708), Slow (WS6704), High Speed (WS6705), and Super High Speed (WS6709)
• WS6601 Tensioned Lazy Kate for plying off three bobbins, packs flat for storage
• WS6703 High Speed Bobbin, required for double-drive at High and Super High whorl ratios
• WS6701 Standard Maple Bobbins, 4 oz capacity, an upgrade from the included travel bobbins
• Additional WS6712 Travel Bobbins for plying or extra storage
• WS6711 Bulky Bobbins for use with the Bulky Plyer Flyer
• WS6908 Niddy Noddy for skein winding

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I switch the flyer from one side to the other after assembly?

Yes, with partial disassembly. The Flatiron's flyer-left or flyer-right configuration is set during initial assembly, but the choice is reversible. If you set it up one way and decide later you'd prefer the other, the wheel can be partially disassembled and rebuilt with the flyer on the opposite side.

What MOA does my Flatiron take?

R-16-900256, shared with the Schacht Sidekick. The Flatiron has only ever shipped with this single Mother of All generation, so there's no current-versus-legacy distinction to identify when ordering parts.