Does anybody here get a perfect shed on their Mac? I'm talking about the floor looms, not the travel CP looms. I'm asking on behalf of a friend. She's worked on her loom and replaced a bunch of things and still doesn't get a perfect shed. She says there is about a 1/4 variance of the height of the threads across the warp. This doesn't cause a problem with the weaving. She just wants it to be right as it can be. The bottom of the shed is level, btw. So, is the Macomber shed normally perfect or is it normally not perfect? ;o) Thanks! Connie

Comments

Sun, 05/27/2012 - 01:30

SallyE (not verified)

My Macomber shed is pretty near perfect all the time, unless something funky is going on.   For example, one side of a shaft is kinked and not dropping all the way, gets hung up, crossed threads, etc.  

It would be helpful to know exactly what she did to the loom (what was replaced) and why.

 

Sun, 05/27/2012 - 03:34

mrdubyah (not verified)

...unless something is stuck.  Sounds like your loom needs a tune up.  The threaded warp should not be level with the frames when they're at rest.  The heddles should pull the warp threads down slightly (maybe 3/4") so they slope in from both beams, holding the bottom of the shed open.  Misaligned shafts may also be caused by linkage problems.  Check all linkages.  Be sure chains and lifters are even and make sure that none of the metal axles has worked its way out of the holes in the castle base.  Happy tuning!

Mon, 05/28/2012 - 00:37

mneligh

My shed is pretty near perfect also, except  when weaving with really tight tension and using more than about a dozen shafts.  The shafts towards the back may be 1/4 inch higher when weaving something heavy, requiring tight tension.  If you think about this, though, it doesn't happen often.  When my tension is cranked that high, it's about time to hear the pinging of broken warp if I'm doing something fine.  The heavy-tight projects are rag rugs that I -- yes, it's true -- double weave.  Usually one ply is twice as fine as the rag ply.  They're like karate mats.

Hooks on the ends of the lamss also may be slightly slanted raising the shafts lower or higher unless you really STEP on the treadle -- or maybe for me they're at the end of my reach.  I guess they might be that way for a small person even in the center.

Mon, 05/28/2012 - 13:32

Michael White

A number of things could be going wrong. 1. There are three types of hooks, the new super hook, the old hook and the old black hook. You can not mix the three and get an even shed. 2. Is the beater "in fact" level. Have your friend measure the height of the frames, at rest, to the wooden cross piece. Then measure the beater bar to the same cross piece. she may have to check which slot the beater is in or she may need to adjust the cams.

Michael

 

Thu, 05/31/2012 - 00:32

Cheryl Muckenfuss (not verified)

Michael,

What do you mean by 'adjust the cams?' What happens to them to get out of adjustment and what can one do to get them back in adjustment? My shed is fine on my loom, but this was a potential issue I was not aware of; just curious. Thanks!

Cheryl

Thu, 05/31/2012 - 11:47

Michael White

Cheryl the beater uprights sits on bolts coming out of the loom. These bolts are in fact a part of a cam. The cam will turn 360 degrees and is use to level the beater. To check to see if your beater is level, measure from the bottom beater cross piece (race board)(do not measure from the top board) to the bottom of the castle cross piece. ( make certain both beater legs are in the same slot) Both sides should be the same. If not loosen the bolt on the cam and turn the cam to adjust, then retighten the bolt. Why does the measurement change. 1. The bolt comes loose. 2. Wear on the beater slot. 3 A warped beater.

Cheryl I hope this answers all your questions.

Michael

Fri, 06/01/2012 - 14:36

andsewon (not verified)

I've passed your suggestions along. A couple of them are ideas she hadn't tried yet. Thanks so much for your help! Connie
Sat, 06/02/2012 - 23:48

Cheryl Muckenfuss (not verified)

Thanks, Michael.  I think my beater is level, but will check to verify and adjust accordingly.