Well, I'm astounded by what that website doesn't say. <http://www.hansencrafts.com/>
What's the rpm? And since it's not a direct drive, what's the actual flyer speed? It talks about how heavy portable wheels are but doesn't say how much this espinner weighs. It doesn't even give the price?!? I'd also want to know how noisy it is - some espinners are incredibly noisy. And how large is the orifice? It also doesn't say whether it's direct drive or not (appears not), what braking mechanism (looks like scotch tension), or whether bobbin- or flyer- lead (appears the latter). This is all very basic info that really should be spelled out, not leaving me trying to see it on a picture. I had to go to the "other espinner" page to find some of this very basic info. 1600 rpm is *nothing* in an espinner. Any treadle wheel can deliver that pretty easily - a 25:1 ratio plus a very moderate treadling speed of 64 per minute gives 1600 rpm on the flyer. And since the miniSpinner not a direct drive wheel, that 1600 is just the speed of the motor, not the actual speed of the flyer. Personally, I don't want a foot control for speed on an espinner. The first point for me with an espinner is speed; the second is to not have to use my feet, especially a food control if it's like a sewing machine pedal, which they usually are. Unlike spinning wheel treadles or using a sewing machine, when you're spinning on an espinner with a foot control for speed, you've got to keep that foot in one precise position for, possibly, hours on end, for consistent spinning. I'd far rather move a dial with my fingers and leave it set where I want it - no leg cramps that way! It's cute, but that's no reason for me to want to buy it. I want function over form :) Holly
