Tyrol Spinning Wheel

This one of a kind wheel was made by Steven J Gray in (approx.) 1979 for his mother-in-law for Christmas, hence the extra details.  The woods used are maple and ebony, the hardware handmade by him also.  It is a fully functional work of art.

The image shown is of a later wheel.  This wheel does not include the three bobbin lazy kate feature and has a round base rather than the tiangle base shown.

This small wheel not only has an intriguing design, it is also very portable.  The tall distaff is removable at midpoint for transportation.   The thickness of the 14" diameter wheel gives it a fairly good carrying weight.  As with all small drive wheels, the Tyrol is a fast treadler. 

Orifice height from floor 28"
Drive ratio 1/9
Includes 1 bobbin, sley hook and niddy noddy.


Steve Gray’s love of wood began when he would make trips to his grandfather’s wood shop.  There he has fond memories of smelling the Black Walnut lumber, poking around in all the small parts drawers and handling the tools that his grandfather used on the lathe.  Steve bought his first lathe in 1976 and started making spinning wheels, furniture and cabinets.  In 1982, he rediscovered kaleidoscopes and sold his scope creations at craft fairs where they were enthusiastically received.  Over the years Steve has contributed to woodworking magazines, demonstrated and taught wood turning and kaleidoscope making and his work has been featured in national and international exhibits.  Steve’s kaleidoscopes are now represented in galleries in both the United States and Japan.