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About the Wheel Maker

All Watson Wheels are designed and made entirely by

James B. Watson and Andrew J. Watson


James Watson is a professional engineer who retired after a career in manufacturing. Products ranged from aircraft engines to computer parts to railway locomotives.


Born and raised in southern England he moved to Canada and settled in Ontario where, together with his wife Patricia, raised a family of three daughters and one son.


In 1996 he and Patricia moved to the far west coast plus a bit and now reside on Vancouver Island within sight of the sea. Midwestern winters are but a memory. Patricia makes collectible Teddy Bears, James makes collectible spinning wheels.


Like most engineers James enjoys making things. He believes making things is both satisfying and good for the soul. During certain social gatherings he has been known to point out that without engineers we would still be living in caves.

 

A frequently asked question is :- Why spinning wheels?

Creating things in metal was a career and a happy one. Making things in wood as a hobby was the next best thing. Reproducing antique furniture was a challenge but it was someone else’s design.

Then James discovered spinning wheels. The concept of twisting fibres is thousands of years old. Here was a machine made out of wood. No machine is ever perfect, so there is always room for improvement.

In the total scheme of things not many people know about spinning wheels. Even fewer use them. A very small number actually make them. However with some research a whole subculture of spinners and weavers was found to exist and the numbers were growing, as people looked for a form of relaxing creativity in a frantic world.

Here was a new interest. The market for factory made spinning wheels was well supplied with a variety of wheels of good value. However, when questioned, spinners were looking for extra features or appearance or function that was not readily available commercially. Thus Watson Wheels was started and James joined a small group of specialty wheelmakers who make spinning wheels because they enjoy the satisfaction of it. None get rich from the endeavour.

Watson Wheels are individually made for each client. Quantities are therefore low and James tries to keep the waiting time under six months.

Minimal advertising in Spin-Off magazine together with word-of-mouth recommendations keeps the order book full and comments from happy clients helps the maker’s self esteem no end.

Another question  :-  How did you pick those wheel names?

“Elly” is a based on a Norwegian classic wheel. Elly is the name of a longtime family friend (Danish) close!

“Kirsten” evolved from “Elly” .           Kirsten is Elly’s granddaughter.

“Marie”   is a 30” wheel. 30” wheels are often called Quebec wheels i.e. French, so therefore Marie (Antoinette)

“Martha”   is loosely based on a Connecticut chair wheel.      Martha’s Vineyard?

“Elizabeth”  is a walking wheel of a type used in England.     Elizabeth (Queen)

“Victoria”   describes the extra decoration with no practical function as in Victorian England.

All very logical as Spock would say.