I've had some people ask about this spindle and how I made it, so I will post my method of creating this unique supported spindle. Enjoy, and give me feedback about your progress!
I'm working on plans for the Marion, but it's really pretty straightforward. I bought what is called a "bun foot" that is available in the table legs section in the local home improvement stores (Loewe's, Home Depot). Then I took some scrap wood and attached them as seen in the photos with the largest and heaviest piece being the horizontal base. Now is the room for creativity part, because I've seen several different variations in design here...
Through the vertical stabilization piece, I drilled a hole approximately at a 45 degree angle. I also drilled a corresponding hole in the base for supporting the end of the spindle, and also added a smaller piece of scrap wood at the end of that board just for more stabilization of the spindle's end.
I then sharpened a 3/8" wood dowel for the insert into the base's hole, and slightly sharpened the other end as well (since I have a hook attached at that end, it should be flat enough for the 1/2" brass cup hook to screw into without splitting the end of the dowel). I also pre-drilled the end of the dowel for the cup hook to screw into using a SMALL hobby drill that looks similar to a pen that I bought at Radio Shack (I use this for drilling holes in PC board when making electronics as well).
I also make sure that at any point where the boards are joined, I use Gorilla Glue in addition to screws (which also has Gorilla Glue in the screw holes, but don't use TOO much as this is a very expanding glue that turns to a hard foam-like consistency).
Now all you have to do is insert the dowel through the upper hole and slide it into the bun foot (after you remove the screw that is already in the foot when you buy it, as well as drilling a 3/8" hold through that bun foot). Put a small amount of glue into the bun foot before sliding the dowel through. Also, although not in my picture, I bought some bamboo coasters from Wal-Mart and removed the stuck on cork cover, drilled a hole in the coaster, slid it over the dowel to prevent the yarn from getting in the hole. Attach the cup hook (with a tiny amount of glue on the threads) and you're done.
Sounds like a lot, but it really only takes a few minutes to put it all together, especially if all that you have to buy is the bun foot and dowel. I've also seen Marion's with rubber wheels, much like what's on a push lawn mower (visit your local county landfill for all the free wheels and parts that you can imagine). Personally, I just spin barefoot, so the wood is just fine for me so long as you've not varnished and finished it to a great slippery shine. Mine seems to spin for an adequately long time, but there are versions that have ball bearings in the hole where the dowel rests on the base in order to make it spin longer, but that's your call. Also, using some sewing machine or spinning wheel oil in this hole makes it go a little easier, as well as making sure that the hole itself (both of them, actually) are larger than the dowel. I just drilled them open a little more than the dowel without going to the next largest size drill bit (move the drill around a little when drilling).
So, in all, there you have the non-illustrated version of how to make a Mother Marion kick spindle!
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