Louet S75

My first wheel that I learned to spin on was a Louet S51DT (DT stands for double treadle). It was an awesome wheel to learn on. I rented it from the woman I took a few lessons from, until I decided what wheel I wanted, and to be honest whether I wanted to commit at all. Spinning can be an expensive hobby, and I wanted to make sure that I was really into spinning before I made the final investment.

I originally ordered the Louet S51DT and in a weird twist of fate, their was something really wrong with the wheel. I still loved Louet, and they were kind enough to take the wheel back, and by then I was completely hooked on spinning so I upgraded and ordered the Louet S75. My first teacher had one, and I loved it.

I knew I was completely crazy, because the S75 is Louet’s top wheel, and it is very expensive. I can tell you this, I have had this wheel for 10 years now, and the price has gone up substantially, but all in all, it is still my very favorite wheel (average price now for this wheel runs at about $700).

These wheels come from Holland, so I remember having to wait awhile, for it was making its trip across the ocean!

Once it did arrive (this wheel comes unfinished), I needed to finish the wood, and it was truly a snap to put together. This is one of the reasons I love this wheel.

Another bonus about the S75 and all the Louet Wheels is their large orifices. No tools/hooks are needed in order to fish the roving through the front orifice. You just stick the wool through. Easy, easy, easy.

The equipment that comes standard with the S75 (the wheel, drive belt, 1 or 2 bobbins, the flyer) is designed for making medium to heavy weight yarn. As the years passed, I purchased more bobbins, and the lazy kates (holders on sides of wheel for bobbins). They do make a separate flyer and bobbin kit for lace weight yarn, and I have seen it used, but  I do not own it for at that time I had come into another spinning wheel that was suitable for lace weight.

Another feature I adore about this wheel is that the ball bearings are enclosed. This means no oiling and all that stuff. The only maintenance is occasionally applying petroleum jelly to some of the plastic bearings and the leather tensioner strap in the front of the wheel.

If I ever had to buy a wheel again, this would be my first choice. It is sturdy (great when you have a 5 year old), has few pieces to keep track of, and is very reliable and consistent in its use.

Oh, and this wheel above is made from solid beech wood!

So here are some additional specs on the wheel (located at Louet’s Website):

The orifice on the standard wheel is sufficiently large (12.5 mm or 1/2″) as are the bobbins, (180-250 gr capacity), to allow you to create novelty yarns. Wheels come equipped with a two bobbin lazy kate.

Technically all Louet models are the same. Each wheel has a single belt bobbin drive with an adjustable flyer brake to regulate the tension. The flexible belts are made of polyurethane and never have to be adjusted.

Wheels are made of laminated hardwood with a “birch” exterior finish.

Ratios

All bobbins have a sheave with three settings on one side that can be used to obtain three different spinning ratios. They are: 1:5.5 for slow spinning and heavy yarn; 1:7.5 for medium yarn; and, 1:10.5 for fast spinning and fine yarn. (S45 ratios are: 7:1, 12:1 and 20:1)

They rotate on a maintenance free, lubricated for life ball bearing pack to ensure excellent spinning ability by allowing them to turn freely and quitely. The same maintenance free ball bearing is used at the footman connection. (Absolutely no lubrication is necessary for the bearings to work correctly)