Norman Aston of Levin made several of these in the 1970s and 80s. They are said to have been modelled on the English-made Dryad wheels. He also made a smaller upright model.
Ken Bartlett of Christchurch began to make wheels in the Scandinavian style in 1963. This one is inscribed underneath in pokerwork "Handmade by Kenneth Bartlett Christchurch NZ May 1970." The turning and the shape of the small treadle are almost identical to those of a Husfliden wheel from Norway.
Later he adapted the style to please his New Zealand customers making several changes including a larger treadle that can be used with two feet.
More on Ken Bartlett and his wheels
This Beauchamp wheel dates from before 1979. Unusually for a norwegian-style wheel, it has scotch tension and no facility for double drive.
More on Beauchamp wheels
Mr Colthart made wheels in his workshop for many Christchurch women. It can be quite difficult to distinguish wheels by Colthart, Rudhall and Wing, and they seem to have influenced each other. Wing was initially inspired by a Rudhall wheel, and Rudhall and Colthart were neighbours in Weka St, Fendalton, Christchurch for a while in the 60s and early 70s.Characteristically Colthart's wheels have little brass knobs on the tips of the maidens and the wheel support posts. The first wheel illustrated also has brass bindings on the ends of the horizontals - the treadle bar, the support that runs between the upper table and the wheel posts, and even the flyer tips. The handle in the end of the table does not turn and there is no obvious way to adjust the drive band tension, though this would seem to be necessary given the wide range of ratios available. The little ring visible in the centre of the flyer is the end of a pin which is pulled to release the flyer from the spindle.
There are differences between some Colthart double-table wheels : the wheel above, for example, has 3 posts supporting the upper table. The one below, made in 1972, has 4. This one (unlike the first) has a screw to move the mother-of-all away from the wheel. Some are scotch tension and some are double drive.
Mr Colthart also made upright wheels.
Joe Gibson of Seatoun, Wellington, made this norwegian-style wheel in 1976. It is made mostly of rimu, and stamped under the table "No 34 JWG 76". His characteristic thistles can be clearly seen at the top of the maidens and the posts.
More on Joe Gibson and his wheels
Mecchia wheels were made by Waikato Turnery of Frankton, near Hamilton. As well as this "Large Mecchia" they made a smaller, saxony-style wheel. On both wheels, the tips of the maidens are also the handles of orifice hooks.
Mitzi wheels by John Rappard of Dunedin were apparently named after his wife. Each has a carved image on the treadle, said to be a different one on
each wheel. This one has a tulip. More on John Rappard and his wheels
Mr Rudhall was a Christchurch maker in the 1960s. His wheels were previously attributed to Wing but it now seems that Wing did not use the copper binding at the ends of the treadle bar and the horizontals from the upper table where they join the wheel post.
These bindings are characteristic of many but not all Rudhall wheels. The second wheel shown is securely attributed to Rudhall (it was passed down in the family) but has no metal bindings, as well is different turnings.The photo at top right clearly shows the square-section brass axle bearing which is typical of Rudhall, Colthart and Wing double table wheels.
Charlie Tyler of Korokoro near Wellington had at least one norwegian style among the eight basic ones he made: this particular model can be distinguished by the unusual shape of the upper table, though each individual wheel was slightly different. This wheel's name is Ariana, and it was made in 1970. He also made saxony wheels.
More on Charlie Tyler and his wheels
Mr Wing of Redcliffs, Christchurch, made norwegian-style wheels as well as a popular little upright model.
Several wheels formerly attributed to Wing are now thought to have been made by Rudhall, because of their copper bindings at the ends of the treadle bar. The bobbin-holder, which can be swung out for plying, is a distinguishing feature of Wing and many Rudhall wheels. Sometimes it is missing but the rod on which it pivoted remains.
The detail photos show how a little metal flap is lifted to allow the back end of the spindle to slide backwards, so that the flyer can be removed for bobbin changing.
More on S.C. Wing and his wheels
Woodcraft Industries (not to be confused with other users of the name "Woodcraft") was a small company run by Harry Rees at Spring Grove, Wakefield (near Nelson). Mr Rees was a skilled wood turner, who said he liked to make things that were useful and not just pretty.
In the 1970s he made a number of these, copies of the English Dryad wheel with some modifications. Some were pine (like the one pictured) and some mahogany. He also made an upright, called the Adam. All his wheels have a distinctive turned ball in the centre of each leg. Some of the later ones have a brass flyer.
