I decided to change from the original cotton heddles to Texsolv heddles on my 1970s era Cranbrook.   It seems the original cotton heddles are longer than the Texsolv white tie heddles (11")  and shorter than the blue tie heddles 11 1/2".  So, when I went to put the new 11" heddles on my loom, I could barely move the heddles on the shafts.  I can shorten the side metal pieces between the shafts or I can make new ones to make them longer for the 11 1/2" heddles.  I've been on the phone to Schact, and we finally decided it would be easier to shorten one of the metal pieces 1/4".  Before I take the Dremel tool to my loom, any feedback?  Is there any advantage to having a shorter or longer heddle?

Comments

Fri, 01/14/2011 - 15:29

Claudia Segal (not verified)

Superb question!  I look forward to hearing from other Crannie users.  I am leaving this comment so your question/comment will jump to the top in hopes that someone else who has faced this decision will get in touch.

I was going to suggest you contact Schacht but you have been very diligent and already done that.  I look forward to seeing what others have to suggest.

Claudia

Sat, 01/15/2011 - 16:39

Su Butler

You may lose a little of your shed height, but it will be very little with the shorter heddle. Personally I would probably opt for the longer heddles...they would move freely on the loom and should not pose a problem. If your original heddles were between 11 and 11.5", the 11.5" Texsolv heddles could barely be longer than the originals. Seems like trying them first, before permanently altering your loom would be prudent. Su :-)
Sun, 01/16/2011 - 23:25

illoominated (not verified)

 

Yes, I was a little worried about what might happen to my shed.  My old local yarn shop ordered the 11" heddles based on measurements they made at their shop.  Meanwhile, I took apart my loom for a cross country move.  So, when I went to put the loom back together, I found out the new heddles were way too tight.  Research I did on the web made me think that the 11 1/2" would be perfect.   That's why I sent the 11" heddles to Schacht to exchange them. When I spoke with the Schacht representative, she had all the heddle sizes in front of her as well as one of my cotton heddles. (I sent her one).  She agreed, the 11 inch was too small, but the 11.5" heddle measured almost 1/2" longer than my cotton heddle.   My old cotton heddles are already pretty loose.  I wonder what will happen when I try to pull the wart thread through a really loose heddle.  Worse yet, do you think the metal pieces will become unstable in the heddle frame with that much wiggle room?  I guess it's time for me to take my heddle frame to the nearest weaving shop in my new state and test out the 11 1/2" heddles.  Perhaps I'll have to make new, longer metal pieces for the heddle frame and save the old ones for posterity.  How to do that sounds like a question for the repair and restoration forum.

 

Sat, 02/05/2011 - 12:51

rosedith (not verified)

I had the same problem when I got my loom a couple of years ago.  I can't imagine the people that make texsolv heddles don't have a solution for the many older Cranbrook looms that are out there. The various "Cranbrook" manufacturers have changed the heddle size so it's very hard to find out what you need. Their solution was to weave without the metal sides which I think would make a mess every time I put on a new warp. My solution was to send the texsolv back and just use the original cotton heddles. They work well, fit the loom and you can make new ones out of string :)

Sat, 02/05/2011 - 23:12

illoominated (not verified)

I'm glad I wasn't the only one with this issue.  I bit the bullet and let my husband shorten the longer metal pieces 1/4" for four heddle frames to see how that works. He used a Dremel tool to file off bit by bit as I tested it on the frame.  Well, the Texsolv heddles went on like a dream, and they slide a bit now and still hold the sides of the frame together. When I got my loom, one of the metal pieces was missing, and we were able to make one. I figure if the shorter metal pieces don't work, we'll make new ones...like the old ones.  I'll update this thread once I've woven on the loom again.