Well, THAT didn't work. I had to order an entire new flyer, because the dowel rod was split through the center before I tried to get the dowel screw into it. $57 later... ick. It isn't here yet, because it has to ship from Lithuania, but hopefully sooner rather than later. Meantime, it gives me some time to get working on the new leathers. Still, even with all the "extra" expenses, buying a restoring this wheel is less expensive than buying the other wheel, which probably still would have needed some restoration.
Other stuff: I still have toys to crochet for the kids, and beads to sort and make into things, and a wedding dress to demolish.