Spindle vs. Spool — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Urooj Arif — Updated on March 28, 2024
A spindle holds or rotates items during machining, while a spool stores materials like thread or wire, focusing on organization and dispensing.
Difference Between Spindle and Spool
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
A spindle is a device or part of a machine used to hold or rotate an object being worked on, facilitating operations such as cutting, sanding, or drilling. It's crucial in manufacturing and woodworking industries for precision work. On the other hand, a spool is primarily used for storage purposes, designed to neatly organize materials like thread, wire, or tape. Its design allows for easy unwinding and rewinding, making it indispensable in sewing, electrical work, and cable management.
While spindles are engineered to withstand the stresses of machining processes, including high speeds and forces, they are typically made of robust materials like steel or aluminum. Spools, whereas, are made from a variety of materials including plastic, wood, or metal, depending on their intended use, prioritizing ease of handling and the material's nature to be wound or unwound.
In terms of functionality, spindles often come as part of larger machines and have a direct role in the creation or modification of physical items. They may also have complex mechanisms for speed control and torque adjustment. Spools, on the other hand, serve a more passive role, acting as containers or holders, with simplicity in design for manual or automated winding and unwinding.
The technology behind spindles can be quite advanced, incorporating precision bearings, electronic controls for speed and movement, and specific adaptations for different industrial tasks. Spools, while less technologically complex, may feature ingenious designs for preventing tangles or ensuring even winding, highlighting practicality and efficiency in usage.
Despite their differences, both spindles and spools play indispensable roles in their respective fields. Spindles facilitate the mechanical manipulation of objects for manufacturing purposes, while spools ensure the organized storage and accessibility of various materials, from threads to cables, underlining the importance of both structure and function in tools and storage solutions.
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Comparison Chart
Primary Use
Holding or rotating objects for machining
Storing materials like thread or wire
Material
Often made of metals like steel or aluminum
Can be made of plastic, wood, or metal
Functionality
Part of machinery for creating/modifying items
Used for organizing and dispensing materials
Technology
Incorporates precision bearings and electronic controls
Simpler design, possibly with features to prevent tangles
Role in Industry
Essential in manufacturing for precision work
Key in sewing, electrical work, and cable management
Compare with Definitions
Spindle
A rotating axis of the machine that holds the tool or workpiece.
The spindle in the CNC machine spun rapidly as it carved into the metal.
Spool
A cylinder around which flexible materials like thread are wound.
She neatly wound the silk thread around the spool to avoid tangles.
Spindle
Any rod or pin serving to spin something.
He replaced the broken spindle in the record player to get it working again.
Spool
In computing, a buffer or storage used to manage printing jobs.
The document remained in the print spool until the printer was ready.
Spindle
A slender rounded rod with tapered ends used in hand spinning to twist and wind thread.
She deftly handled the spindle, winding the freshly spun yarn.
Spool
A reel used in angling to wind and unwind the fishing line.
He adjusted the tension on his fishing rod's spool to cast further.
Spindle
A vertical post supporting a stair railing.
The wooden spindles were intricately carved, adding elegance to the staircase.
Spool
An object designed to manage cables or wires.
We used a large spool to organize the hundreds of feet of electrical wire.
Spindle
A part of the machine upon which a wheel or gear rotates.
The engineer checked the spindle for any signs of wear or damage.
Spool
A component in tape recorders and film projectors for winding tape or film.
The old projector needed a new film spool to function correctly.
Spindle
A slender rounded rod with tapered ends used in hand spinning to twist and wind thread from a mass of wool or flax held on a distaff.
Spool
A cylinder of wood, plastic, cardboard, or other material on which wire, thread, or string is wound.
Spindle
A rod or pin serving as an axis that revolves or on which something revolves.
Spool
The amount of wire, thread, or string wound on such a cylinder.
Spindle
A slender mass of microtubules formed when a cell divides. At metaphase the chromosomes become attached to it by their centromeres before being pulled towards its ends.
Spool
Something similar to such a cylinder in shape or function.
Spindle
A Eurasian shrub or small tree with slender toothed leaves and pink capsules containing bright orange seeds. Its hard timber was formerly used for making spindles.
Spool
A reel for magnetic tape.
Spindle
A rod or pin, tapered at one end and usually weighted at the other, on which fibers are spun by hand into thread and then wound.
Spool
To wind or be wound on or off a spool.
Spindle
A similar rod or pin used for spinning on a spinning wheel.
Spool
To store (data sent to a printer) in a buffer, allowing the program that sent the data to the printer to resume its normal operation.
Spindle
A pin or rod holding a bobbin or spool on which thread is wound on an automated spinning machine.
Spool
A reel; a device around which thread, wire or cable is wound, especially a cylinder or spindle.
Spindle
Any of various mechanical parts that revolve or serve as axes for larger revolving parts, as in a lock, axle, phonograph turntable, or lathe.
Spool
(aviation) One of the rotating assemblies of a gas turbine engine, composed of one or more turbine stages, a shaft, and one or more compressor or fan stages.
The high-pressure spool rotates faster than the intermediate- and low-pressure spools, as the high-pressure turbine is driven by superheated combustion gases straight out of the burners, while the high-pressure compressor has to spin very fast to compress air that has already been compressed and heated by the low- and intermediate-pressure compressors.
Spindle
A spike on which papers may be impaled.
Spool
(computing) A temporary storage area for electronic mail, etc.
Spindle
A baluster.
Spool
A small swimming pool that can be used also as a spa.
Spindle
(Biology) A cytoplasmic network composed of microtubules along which the chromosomes are distributed during mitosis and meiosis.
Spool
To wind on a spool or spools.
Spindle
(Anatomy) See muscle spindle.
Spool
(computing) To send files to a device or a program (a spooler or a daemon that puts them in a queue for processing at a later time).
Spindle
Coastal New Jersey See dragonfly.
Spool
A piece of cane or reed with a knot at each end, or a hollow cylinder of wood with a ridge at each end, used to wind thread or yarn upon.
Spindle
To furnish or equip with a spindle or spindles.
Spool
To wind on a spool or spools.
Spindle
To impale or perforate on a spindle
Do not fold, spindle, or mutilate this card.
Spool
A winder around which thread or tape or film or other flexible materials can be wound
Spindle
To grow into a thin, elongated, or weak form.
Spool
Transfer data intended for a peripheral device (usually a printer) into temporary storage
Spindle
(spinning) A rod used for spinning and then winding natural fibres (especially wool), usually consisting of a shaft and a circular whorl positioned at either the upper or lower end of the shaft when suspended vertically from the forming thread.
Spool
Wind onto a spool or a reel
Spindle
A rod which turns, or on which something turns.
The spindle of a vane
Spindle
A rotary axis of a machine tool or power tool.
Spindle
Certain of the species of the genus Euonymus, originally used for making the spindles used for spinning wool.
Spindle
An upright spike for holding paper documents by skewering.
Spindle
The fusee of a watch.
Spindle
A long and slender stalk resembling a spindle.
Spindle
A yarn measure containing, in cotton yarn, 15,120 yards; in linen yarn, 14,400 yards.
Spindle
(geometry) A solid generated by the revolution of a curved line about its base or double ordinate or chord.
Spindle
Any marine univalve shell of the genus Tibia; a spindle stromb.
Spindle
Any marine gastropod with a spindle-shaped shell formerly in one of the three invalid genera called Fusus.
Spindle
(biology) A cytoskeletal structure formed during mitosis
Spindle
(coastal New Jersey) a dragonfly, calque of Swedish slända (dragonfly/spindle), introduced by New Sweden settlers.
Spindle
(computing) A plastic container for packaging optical discs. Bulk blank CDs, DVDs, and BDs are often sold in such a package.
Spindle
A muscle spindle.
Spindle
(transitive) To make into a long tapered shape.
Spindle
(intransitive) To take on a long tapered shape.
Spindle
(transitive) To impale on a device for holding paper documents.
Do not fold, spindle or mutilate this document.
Spindle
The long, round, slender rod or pin in spinning wheels by which the thread is twisted, and on which, when twisted, it is wound; also, the pin on which the bobbin is held in a spinning machine, or in the shuttle of a loom.
Spindle
A slender rod or pin on which anything turns; an axis; as, the spindle of a vane.
Spindle
The shaft, mandrel, or arbor, in a machine tool, as a lathe or drilling machine, etc., which causes the work to revolve, or carries a tool or center, etc.
Spindle
The fusee of a watch.
Spindle
The vertical rod on which the runner of a grinding mill turns.
Spindle
A long and slender stalk resembling a spindle.
Spindle
A shaft or pipe on which a core of sand is formed.
Spindle
A yarn measure containing, in cotton yarn, 15,120 yards; in linen yarn, 14,400 yards.
Spindle
A solid generated by the revolution of a curved line about its base or double ordinate or chord.
Spindle
Any marine univalve shell of the genus Rostellaria; - called also spindle stromb.
Spindle
To shoot or grow into a long, slender stalk or body; to become disproportionately tall and slender.
It has begun to spindle into overintellectuality.
Spindle
(biology) tiny fibers that are seen in cell division; the fibers radiate from two poles and meet at the equator in the middle;
Chromosomes are distributed by spindles in mitosis and meiosis
Spindle
Any of various rotating shafts that serve as axes for larger rotating parts
Spindle
A stick or pin used to twist the yarn in spinning
Common Curiosities
What materials are spools made from?
Spools can be made from plastic, wood, or metal, depending on their intended use.
Do spindles always rotate at high speeds?
While many do, the speed of a spindle can vary based on the machine and the specific task at hand.
Can spindles be part of household items?
Yes, spindles can be part of household items like sewing machines and record players.
Are spindles replaceable in machines?
Yes, spindles can often be replaced or repaired if they become worn or damaged.
Do all spindles require maintenance?
Yes, to ensure their longevity and proper function, spindles typically require regular maintenance.
What is a spindle used for?
A spindle is used to hold or rotate objects in machines for tasks like cutting, sanding, or drilling.
How do spools prevent material tangling?
Some spools have special features like flanges or guides to prevent tangling and ensure even winding.
What makes a spindle precise in manufacturing?
Precision bearings and electronic controls contribute to a spindle's accuracy in machining tasks.
Is it possible to manually operate a spool?
Yes, many spools are designed to be easily used manually, though some may be part of automated systems.
Are there environmental considerations for spool disposal?
Yes, considering the materials they're made of, disposing of or recycling spools responsibly is important.
Are all spools designed for thread or wire?
No, spools can also be designed for cables, tapes, and even fishing lines.
How do you choose the right spindle for a task?
The choice depends on the machine, material, and specific requirements like speed and torque.
Can the material of a spool affect its use?
Yes, the material of a spool can impact its durability, weight, and suitability for certain materials.
Can spools be used for decorative purposes?
While primarily functional, spools can also be crafted or designed for decorative purposes.
Can the size of a spool affect its functionality?
Absolutely, the size determines how much material it can hold and how it can be used or stored.
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Written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
