Woodworker: Andrew J. Ritchie

Ritchie built this spinning wheel as a tribute to his late mother, who had always wanted a traditional spinning wheel. He spared no expense when it came to the wood for this sentimental piece, choosing stunning curly and bird’s-eye maple. Ritchie’s lathe did not have the capacity to turn the rim of the wheel on the outboard side, so he had to devise another method. He assembled a rough circle of segments attached with screws and mortise-and-tenon joints, then cut a perfect circle using a router and jig. This method allowed him to take apart the rim, add the spokes and hub, and then reassemble the wheel. The finish is linseed oil and beeswax.

Photo: Andrew J. Ritchie