I have the same version of Little Gem that you have. I purchased it used and the only issue I had was that the take-up was too strong. When I spun singles Z, I had the tension sping tilted to the right as shown in the instruction manual. My husband suggested I switch the tension spring opposite to the way the flyer was spinning and this fixed-my take up issue. So I put the tension spring on the left when I spin singles to the right (Z) and on the right when I ply to the left (S). I "flip" my drive wheel band back and forth when spinning S and Z. This works well for me but sometime I'll try flipping the bobbin tension band as that seems like it would be easier to do. Thanks for your podcast; I really enjoy it!
I will try flipping the tension spring as you describe. I also use a cotton string for the bobbin instead of the monofilament that came with the wheel. Seems to draw in a little less with it. I really like the Gem for thicker singles because of the tension. So nice to hear from a fellow Majacraft spinner!
I had the same problem with the take-up. My yarn was way to twisted and I couldn't seem to find a way to fix it. Now I bought a bigger pulley (meant to use for thicker yarn) and my problem is gone! Thanks for showing the twisted band on the pulley. I had not figured that out yet.
Hi Lisa, hope you're well. Love your little Wheel. Watching you Spin is so calming, no matter what you're using.,your video/podcast is soothing in wvery way. Take care, stay safe Dear friend Happy Spinning Love Jen xxxx
Hi Lisa, Thankyou so much for the Heart reply. I really appreciate the amount of time that you do on your video/podcast. Happy Spinning. Take care stay safe and well Lots of love from one Dear Friend to Another. Jen xxxx
Just thought I’d ask, Have you tried spinning Peaches fibre? She looks almost exactly the same as my Lotti and I’ve collected lots of her wool over the years but have to be very careful as it loves to felt. I was going to insert a photo of her, but can’t see how to do that! I also have a little gem (which looks like yours )and the wild flyer. I find the oversized bobbin hard to get spinning and the band slips when I tighten it. I’d love to have Akerworks products but living in England makes it difficult. There is no outlet here, yet. I’ve recently found your podcasts and thoroughly enjoy the way you reach out to us. It’s nice to listen to someone who is thinking, as well as delivering information in a wonderfully concise manner. I also find it enjoyable, that you do not keep stopping to say hello to people who are on line like podcasters who do live sessions. Please keep going. A fleece study would be enjoyable. Valerie (a fan)
Hi Valerie, so lovely to hear from you! My Peaches does not shed so I would have to collect her fur from the groomer. I think I’ll ask her next time to put it in a bag for me. I spun golden retriever fiber once before and it reminded me of angora bunny, very fly away and very warm. I have the wild flyer for my LG too, but have not had it on my wheel lately. The akerworks bobbins are nice and light but I agree hard to get where you live. You’d have to order and it would be cost prohibitive I think. Thanks for the breed study suggestion. I just yesterday listed out all the breeds in my stash and I think it would be a good series. Hope you’re staying well and thanks 😊 so much!
I do not have the Woolie Winder. I too have the Aura and I have not spun on it lately. It is brilliant for thick singles and art yarn but I am now leaning into more traditional spins.
i tried tge Woolee winder but found that it did not work well because the left treadle kept sliding...didn't see to have enough oomph to get wheel going. i tried ckeaning the black pad that's under the treadle mechanism...to no avail...hoping the treadle would grip better. my tension was ok, not too tight. i removed the WW, and all was well. i have an older Gem, do not know the age, so maybe the newer ones are ok with a WW. Don't know.
When you fill the bobbin evenly you can fit more on the bobbin....that's what i was told. i believe it after using a woolee winder!
I'm considering the gem as my first and main wheel. My small house in uk with kids and dogs and I can take it easily into garden.
That would be perfect. It’s such a sweet little wheel and very versatile despite being small.
I have the same version of Little Gem that you have. I purchased it used and the only issue I had was that the take-up was too strong. When I spun singles Z, I had the tension sping tilted to the right as shown in the instruction manual. My husband suggested I switch the tension spring opposite to the way the flyer was spinning and this fixed-my take up issue. So I put the tension spring on the left when I spin singles to the right (Z) and on the right when I ply to the left (S). I "flip" my drive wheel band back and forth when spinning S and Z. This works well for me but sometime I'll try flipping the bobbin tension band as that seems like it would be easier to do. Thanks for your podcast; I really enjoy it!
I will try flipping the tension spring as you describe. I also use a cotton string for the bobbin instead of the monofilament that came with the wheel. Seems to draw in a little less with it. I really like the Gem for thicker singles because of the tension. So nice to hear from a fellow Majacraft spinner!
I had the same problem with the take-up. My yarn was way to twisted and I couldn't seem to find a way to fix it. Now I bought a bigger pulley (meant to use for thicker yarn) and my problem is gone! Thanks for showing the twisted band on the pulley. I had not figured that out yet.
Very nice plying.
Glad you like it! I like the Gem a lot!
Hi Lisa, hope you're well.
Love your little Wheel. Watching you Spin is so calming, no matter what you're using.,your video/podcast is soothing in wvery way.
Take care, stay safe Dear friend
Happy Spinning
Love Jen xxxx
Hi Lisa, Thankyou so much for the Heart reply. I really appreciate the amount of time that you do on your video/podcast.
Happy Spinning.
Take care stay safe and well
Lots of love from one Dear Friend to Another.
Jen xxxx
Just thought I’d ask, Have you tried spinning Peaches fibre? She looks almost exactly the same as my Lotti and I’ve collected lots of her wool over the years but have to be very careful as it loves to felt. I was going to insert a photo of her, but can’t see how to do that!
I also have a little gem (which looks like yours )and the wild flyer. I find the oversized bobbin hard to get spinning and the band slips when I tighten it. I’d love to have Akerworks products but living in England makes it difficult. There is no outlet here, yet.
I’ve recently found your podcasts and thoroughly enjoy the way you reach out to us. It’s nice to listen to someone who is thinking, as well as delivering information in a wonderfully concise manner. I also find it enjoyable, that you do not keep stopping to say hello to people who are on line like podcasters who do live sessions.
Please keep going. A fleece study would be enjoyable. Valerie (a fan)
Hi Valerie, so lovely to hear from you! My Peaches does not shed so I would have to collect her fur from the groomer. I think I’ll ask her next time to put it in a bag for me. I spun golden retriever fiber once before and it reminded me of angora bunny, very fly away and very warm. I have the wild flyer for my LG too, but have not had it on my wheel lately. The akerworks bobbins are nice and light but I agree hard to get where you live. You’d have to order and it would be cost prohibitive I think. Thanks for the breed study suggestion. I just yesterday listed out all the breeds in my stash and I think it would be a good series. Hope you’re staying well and thanks 😊 so much!
Do you know what the g/oz capacity is on the bobbins please? I can't find the information anywhere. Thanks.
I also have a gem.. haven’t bought the bobin yet. I have Aura that I hardly use. How do you like the Woolie Winder?
I do not have the Woolie Winder. I too have the Aura and I have not spun on it lately. It is brilliant for thick singles and art yarn but I am now leaning into more traditional spins.
i tried tge Woolee winder but found that it did not work well because the left treadle kept sliding...didn't see to have enough oomph to get wheel going. i tried ckeaning the black pad that's under the treadle mechanism...to no avail...hoping the treadle would grip better. my tension was ok, not too tight. i removed the WW, and all was well. i have an older Gem, do not know the age, so maybe the newer ones are ok with a WW. Don't know.
Hi can you spin chunky art yarn on this wheel
Yes. Absolutely.