Hi.   Does anyone have any pictures of how to tie onto the back beam of a Macomber floor loom, B-5 model?  The only twist is that it has a sectional beam but I"m not using it as a sectional beam - I'm just filling the yarn between the spaces and using it as a plain beam.

This is 50 year old loom I inherited from my Grandmother.  I've figured out how to set it up and how to warp back to front (I always used front to back before on a smaller table loom).  Using the sectional beam as a plain beam has been fine as well.  But the length of the strings attaching the back apron rod to the beam seem very long to me.   I'm also not sure if I'm fastening the rod to the beam the right way - I end up just tying it onto the sectional beam pegs to keep it in place, but that seems kind of make-shift to me. 

I wasn't sure if I was doing this the right way because I learned how to finally warp back to front from videos, but of course there aren't any videos (that I've found) on how to use a sectional beam as a regular/plain beam.

Thanks,

Susan

Comments

Sat, 02/07/2015 - 23:55

Michael White

from the sectional beam. This is best done with a vise grip pliers. The pins are just tapped in so to remove them use your vise grip and a rag or piece of cardboard to protect the pins. Grip then twist and pull up. Save the pins. If need be sand the holes a little. You can see how to dress you macomber (BTF) here:

http://www.ravelry.com/discuss/macomber-looms/2534365/1-25#10

Sat, 02/07/2015 - 23:55

Michael White

from the sectional beam. This is best done with a vise grip pliers. The pins are just tapped in so to remove them use your vise grip and a rag or piece of cardboard to protect the pins. Grip then twist and pull up. Save the pins. If need be sand the holes a little. You can see how to dress you macomber (BTF) here:

http://www.ravelry.com/discuss/macomber-looms/2534365/1-25#10

Sun, 02/08/2015 - 23:59

sgkatcher

Thanks for the link to your pictures - very helpful!

Mon, 02/09/2015 - 15:16

Don G

Susan, My 1948 B-4 came with a sectional beam. It was in bad shape and missing a lot of the pins, so I made a new plain beam using the old cam brake. I bought a piece of canvas and attached it to beam and then sewed metal rods on the canvas. I used the pins to make a raddel. I still haven't figured how to send pictures so I hope my description was understandable. Don
Mon, 02/09/2015 - 22:26

mneligh

You don't have to remove the pins if you want to keep the sectional functionality.  Just warp each section individually.  What you don't want to have happen is to warp it all at once and have warp crossing back and forth between sections as you weave, since it can get hung up on the pins.

You shouldn't use a rod if warping sectionally.  Just tie a knot in the end of the warp bout and slip a larkshead knot from the warp string around it.  The strings from the beam need to be long, since they are supposed to reack to the back of the heddles to minimize loom waste.

Thu, 02/12/2015 - 11:06

ReedGuy

I warp my sectional a bit different than the traditional way. My beam is set up different. I have a tie-rod that is secured by cord that is seated on the beam and I tie warp onto it as if I had a plain beam. It is stationary and never moves until I release it to weave the last 2 yards. I use a tension box and spool rack as you would normally. I just never liked the idea of a bunch of cords with knots that all need undone after the weaving is done. Much less fiddling with a pair or scissors to cut the waste from the rod. I have had no issues and have woven as much as a 32 yard warp of linen on it. Cotton and wool to.