Buying a spinning wheel

[tm_bunnyloft]

I am looking at two spinning wheels. Both are made by Kromski.

One is the minstrel......
http://www.woolery.com/store/pc/Kromski ... l-c136.htm

And the other is the Fantasia.....
http://www.woolery.com/store/pc/Kromski ... a-c132.htm

Which would you buy if those were your choices? Also any other wheels for under $500 that you would recommend are welcome.
I would hate to spend that kind of money and then end up with junk that wont last. I have heard that Kromski is a good brand but I have no personal experience with them.

Oh on a side note.....
I have been really busy with church, the house, and homeschooling lately so haven't done any updates. I am picking up the English Angoras on the 17th and the Thriantas too. I am really excited to be getting the EA's even though both are bucks. But I am on the top of a waiting list for the next doe as well. So that works.

 

[skysthelimit]

I am currently in love with the Louet, and when I can afford one I will get one. Small, lightweight and it invites me to paint it. http://www.louet.com/spinning_weaving/julia.shtml

 

[tm_bunnyloft]

I hope that you are able to save enough to get your louet soon. I am liking the Fantasia for the Ratios: standard - 5 and 8:1; optional - 10 and 14:1, 18 and 20:1(awesome for angora) and the Minstrel because I love the design and there is an optional jumbo flyer kit and jumbo orfice kit.

It is so hard to decide.

 

[skysthelimit]

That is true. Then there is the hitchhiker, which I like just because it makes a statement. http://www.themerlintree.com/the_merlin_tree009.htm

 

[tm_bunnyloft]

I have decided on the Minstrel. It just has so much more to offer in a spinning wheel.

 

[skysthelimit]

And it is beautiful. The kick spindle came today, so I will just have to content myself with that. The A frame on my vehicle broke, so there's where that money is going. Perhaps for my birthday I will put some change away for a wheel.

 

[tm_bunnyloft]

That would be nice. Congrats on getting your kick wheel. I think they would be fun to use.

 

[skysthelimit]

There is a post on CL fora Louet, but its been days and the person has not responded. I found someone on etsy that takes payments, like layaway. I have a choice between a Louet S17 or a krominski fantasia.

 

[ohiogoatgirl]

awesome on the new buns

on the subject of a wheel... this is what i'm saving up for at the moment:
http://www.etsy.com/listing/118089109/b ... h_type=all

$199.95 +$35 shipping. looks well made and alot cheaper then most wheels. personally i also like that i will be able to do any kind of yarn on it. boucle, locks, thick 'n thin, corespun, chunky, worsted, super chunky,... all on the one wheel.

 

[skysthelimit]

I've been looking at that one too. It's a lot like the louet and the hitchhiker.