Here are pictures of the warping mill that I built.   The pictures show it set up and folded up.   Each full turn is 2 yards.   You can't see the handle because it's on the right, but it's a Leclerc handle from a loom that I used to have.   The wooden circular pieces on the left act as a brake.   I can let it turn freely by opeing up the thumb screw, or make it not move at all by tightening the thumb screw.   I put a full rectangular base on it because some of the places I set it up are small, and this way it can be only a little more than half on a table and still work once it's clamped down.  I have pegs on the wall that I hang it from when it's not in use.

My next project is a warping trapeze for my Macomber.

 

 

Comments

ammann58 (not verified)

Looks great. Do you find a horizontal mill easier to work with than a vertical one?

SallyE (not verified)

I imagine people prefer what ever they are use to.   One advantage I find with a horizontal mill comes up when I run into a knot as I wind.   At that point I unwind back to either the beginning or end and cut and tie back on there.  With a horizontal mill the yarn is always hanging in the direction of the wind, as opposed to at right angles.   But, that is a very small advantage.

I also have a large vertical mill, and have discovered that when it is open it makes a GREAT coat rack when I have lots of people over.   And since it folds flat, more or less, it doesn't take up much space.  So, horizontal for weaving, vertical for parties!

 

jhall (not verified)

Did you have plans you built this from?

SallyE (not verified)

No, I didn't use plans.   It was sort of a "figure it out as I went" kind of a project.  It's pretty simple, so I didn't really need plans.   The only complicated part was figuring out how to get a two yard warp around a hexagon, but that was just arithmetic.

 

leighv (not verified)

This is awesome! Looks just like what I have been trying to describe to my woodworking friend. Now I can show him. Hope you don't mind a copycat! Thx, Leigh

SallyE (not verified)

Have him do a full rectangular base - makes it easier to clamp down anywhere - even half off the side of a table.   Plus it makes it more stable.   The round brake disks don't have to be round, octagons work just as well are are easily done with a chop saw.   I just happened to have round disks left over from something else.

Also, you shouldn't have to remove the thumb screws all the way to set up or take down.   That's just an opportunity to drop them and have the washers roll away.

 

leighv (not verified)

Appreciate the tips. I love the foldability. Space is always at a premium. Leigh

Woodburner

Oh that is nice! I'm planning to make similar thing, but it won't be as well finished as yours is!

I'm not sure how the brake works. The thumb screws are the pivot screws? Is one disc attached to the reel and one to the support or . . . ?

 

SallyE (not verified)

Yes, it pivots on the large bolt that the wing nut is on.   When you tighten the wing nut, it pulls the two wooden disks together, which acts like a brake.   One disk is attached to the frame and one to the part of the mill that goes round.  

Note that these two wooden disks don't necessarily need to be round.   It's the contact surface area that you are looking for.   They could be octagon (easy to cut on chop saw) or even square.   Use large diameter dowels for the horizontal pieces.

Woodburner

Thanks! :)

I'll be using broom handles! The only easily available dowelling I have found is far too thin.

SallyE (not verified)

Both Home Depot and Lowes sell doweling.   And don't forget to consider metal pipes.   Metal pipes are really easy to cut if you have one of those plumber tools that you tighten down on a pipe and twirl around it.   (Sorry, I have no idea what these things are called.)

What ever you use, a coat of paste wax left to dry and then buffed off, will keep your yarn clean.

ReedGuy

You did a nice job. I guess I never saw all the stuff in this thread yet. :)

Look at all those dowels for my Veritas Master Dowel Maker. ;)

No, I don't need a mill I have one, but am amazed at how many things are made with dowel.