The S95 is a new spinning wheel from Louët that will be introduced in June at TNNA in Indianapolis, Indiana and CONVERGENCE in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
Besides the S95 designation, this wheel will sport a specific name, which will be announced on a later date.

It took an unprecedented 9 months and 5 proto types to arrive at the stage where a pre-production series of wheels is being manufactured for testing by a wide range of spinners world wide.

The proto type in the left front is now being manufactured as a pre-production series.
The wheels in the background are various earlier proto types. The missing parts were used for subsequent proto types.

Ready to spin All folded up, ready to go.

The pictures show the proto type, now being produced for testing and introduction on shows. Some small details can still be changed however.
Under consideration is to offer the S95 in two versions:
1. Solid Beech with Baltic Birch wheel and treadles. The wheel would be solid, no holes.         
2. Solid Oak and a MDF and Oak veneer wheel and treadles. This wheel will have three holes, giving the effect of a spoked wheel The proto type shown in the pictures is a cross bread of the two

Tentative Specifications:
System: scotch tension
Weight: 3-3,5 kg   (6.5- 7.5 pounds)
Folded size: 13,5 x 30 x 47,5 cm    (5-3/8" x 11-7/8" x 18-3/4")

The flyer and bobbins need to be taken off the wheel to obtain these folded sizes. The bobbins and flyer do fit within these sizes. Bobbin rack for plying to be decided yet.

Ratios: 1:6 - 1:8 - 1:10,5 - 1:16,6
Bobbin capacity: about  140 gr (5 ounces)
Orifice: 9 mm (3/8")  

Price:
Will be announced later. Our goal is the price level of the S75.
The intention is to have a bag available for the S95 to make storage and carrying the wheel, fiber and yarn easier. The option under consideration is to include the bag, or to offer the bag as an accessory.
Inclusion of the bag will actually lower the overall price.

What next?
The production of a pre-production series started April 11, 2006.
10 Solid Beech and 10 Solid Oak wheels are being manufactured.
Wheels from this pre-production series will be made available to a number of selected spinners world wide for testing. Based on the feed-back, some changes can still be incorporated.
Wheels from this series will also be demonstrated at TNNA and CONVERGENCE (USA) as well as shows in Europe.