Of all the spinning questions I’m asked, the most common ones have to do with resolving issues with the wheel not taking up the yarn as it is spun. While the problem is common, there are many things that affect take up so resolving the issue and getting the wheel working properly becomes an exercise in eliminating probable causes until the actual cause is discovered.

First, check to see if the bobbin is rotating freely on the flyer shaft. The bobbin must rotate on the shaft or it can not take up the yarn.

Second, if you have a separate flyer whorl, check to see if it is mounted in the correct direction and if it is screwed on tightly. A backwards whorl or one that’s too loose will not allow the wheel to take up the yarn.

Third: Check to see if the drive band is on correctly. If the take up problems occur after installing a new drive band, did you move the entire mother-of-all (MOA) assembly as close to the drive wheel as possible when you installed the drive band?

New drive bands stretch. This is why the MOA needs to be as close to the drive wheel as possible when putting on a new band - it allows the band to stretch while still giving the widest possible range for fine tension adjustments. To move the MOA, loosen the nut (found under the table) that holds the MOA to the table. Then turn the tension screw to move the MOA. After the new drive band is on, turn the tension screw to tighten tension on the drive band and then tighten the nut. Expect to make several minor tension adjustments as the drive band stretches. Also, trim the loose ends of the drive band to about 1/4 inch. Cutting the ends to short can cause the knot to slip while leaving them too long can foul and throw the drive band off of the drive wheel.

On a Saxony type wheel, to check if the drive band is on correctly, turn the drive wheel clockwise until the crossing point is down near the table. Now look at the cross - if the upper part of the band goes to the bobbin whorl then the drive band is on correctly. If the lower part goes to the bobbin whorl, then the band is on incorrectly. Simply switch it around.

On an upright style wheel, turn the drive wheel clockwise and check to see if the cross is to the left of the flyer and that section of the drive band going from the drive wheel to the bobbin whorl is on top at the crossing point.

Fourth: Check to see that your maidens are properly aligned. An out of alignment maiden can cause a lack of take up. Stand behind the wheel and sight the drive band to be sure that it’s running straight from the whorls to the drive wheel. Also look at the position of the orifice in the bearings to be certain that the bearings are not binding on the orifice or on the back end of the flyer shaft.

Fifth: Oil. Oil the flyer shaft. Put a drop of oil on the bobbin bearings. Oil the bearings.

Sixth: Set the tension. Tie on a long leader and use this to set the tension to avoid wasting good spinning fibers. Be sure the leader is attached firmly so it doesn’t just slip around the bobbin. Then treadle and see if it takes up. Note that a 2 or more ply leader may well unspin before it starts to spin - this has to do with the last twist direction placed in the yarn being used as a leader. This is quite normal and once the leader unplies itself it will re-ply with the opposite twist direction so an unspinning leader is nothing to be concerned about at all. If you have no take up, tighten the tension a bit and try again. Keep doing this until you get take up. Once the leader is winding on, try pulling it back off of the bobbin through the orifice. When the leader winds on but you can pull it back off through the orifice, then your tension is set correctly.

Seventh: Check to see if your drive band is worn and in need of replacing. Also, if you have Scotch Tension, check your tension band for wear and replace it if it appears worn. Worn drive and break bands both affect how your wheel will take up.

Eighth: Other reasons why the yarn will not wind on:
A. It is not feeding through the orifice - too bulky or too kinky.
B. A fiber or a kink is getting caught on a hook. Or the yarn is too bulky for the hooks.
C. The spinner is holding the yarn back and not allowing it to move forward. A tight grip on the fibers is not necessary, a gentle grip is all that’s needed and the spinner must also release the grip enough to allow the fibers to pass through his/her hands. Or the spinner’s hands are too close together for the fiber being spun. Hands should be one staple length plus a bit (say 1/4”) apart so the fibers can draft.