Amazing estate sale find/deal

I am still amazed that I managed to pick up this deal...

So my wife has mentioned a few times that she thought it would be mice to learn to spin natural fibers.  This weekend what comes across my Facebook feed but a spinning wheel for sale at an estate sale.  I quickly asked if they'd hold it for me until I could make out to look at it in a couple of hours.

Being in the country the estate was over an hour away and by the time I got there I found out that many others had showed interest in the wheel.  When I reached the spinning wheel and started going over it I was quickly informed by two ladies that it was spoken for.  When I laughed and said that I was the one it was being held for I thought they might lunge at me.  I have to admit that I didn't really know what the big deal was.  I got dirty looks when I cheerfully quipped "looks like a spinning wheel to me" in response to one lady asking if I knew what I was getting there.  There were a couple of boxes of other things that came with the wheel, I have to admit that I only had a vague idea of what they were.

It wasn't until I made it home and had a little time on the internet that I realized exactly the deal I had gotten.  I drove away from that sale with an Ashford traditional wheel in good condition, a Clemes & Clemes drum carder and matching hand carders, an older model Schacht fixed heddle loom with accessories, a couple of drop spindles and nidy noddys, a lazy Kate full of bobbins, and multiple large trash bags of wool.  I did a quick estimate of what all this would have cost me to get new and came up with around $1750! And they only asked $220 for the lot!  No wonder those ladies seemed ready to fight me for it.

Great purchases!  Let us know how they work for you!

You got a good deal there.  

The Ashford Traditional is quite possible the most versatile spinning wheel ever made.  It looks like you have one that is post 1981.  They still make this wheel and the current Traditional spare parts will fit yours.  They fit all made after 1975, and many of the earlier traditions can also use the modern parts.  

It looks like your goodies just need a touch of love to get them in full working order.

Anything you need to know about this wheel, or these other goodies, just ask.  

Word of caution to check for moth sign in the wool.  If the wool has been in storage a while, it might be harbouring some bugs.  If you don't have time to check it right away, stick it in the freezer until you do.  

Thanks for the tips.  

The wool was all stored in a cedar lined closet and chest which the lady running the sale made sure to mention to me presumably to prevent moth damage.

I haven't messed with the drum carder or loom yet but I did get the wheel cleaned up and working.  Too bad my skills can barely make an over-twisted lumpy-bumpy rough yarn at this point.  I really need to find a local spinner who'll take me under their wing and show me what I need to be doing differently.  Don't get me wrong, I'm stupidly proud of my terrible yarn but it really intrigues me seeing videos of people spinning using the full arc of their arm for the motion instead of inch worming the yarn like I am now.