I'm looking at a Macomber B5 32" for $450.00.  I sent pictures to Macomber for their opinion of the loom and they say that there are a minor things missing - all added up they amount to a little over $100.00.  I keep reading great things about the B5 but since this one was manufactured in 1962 and needs a little over $100 in parts, I would like to know if that is a fair price.  It has 4 harnesses but 4 more can be added and apparently the hooks, treadles, top levers, etc. are all there and I would only have to purchase the actual harnesses.  Need I add that I have never used a loom before?  I would appreciate any input.  Thanks!

Comments

Fri, 03/27/2015 - 00:37

GiaG

The posting function didn't appear to the working.

Fri, 03/27/2015 - 17:16

Michael White

The smaller looms always go for more money then the larger looms. The Macomber looms hold up well so the fact that it was made in 1962 should not have any bearing on how good the loom is. As a new weaver you don't need 4 more harness (this loom should take 6 more) Learn to weave on it as a 4 harness then in a couple of years you can add more if you like. Where are you and the loom located? Tell them what Macomber said and offer them $350. They may counter with $400.

 

Michael   

Sat, 03/28/2015 - 06:01

annazinsmeister

I have a B5 32" that my mother bought in 1955. It works great! Until very recently it's only had 4 shafts. I've own this loom since 1982. I finally decided to add more shafts.

Sat, 03/28/2015 - 16:01

GiaG

Thank you both for the input.  I feel more confident about the price and I'm sure that 4 harnesses will initially be more than enough challenge.  I live in NH and fortunately am not that far from Macomber in York, ME and am thinking it might be a good idea to buy the 4 harnesses in case anyone starts thinking about retirement.

I am guessing that any literature the loom might have come with is long gone.  Would anyone know of any source of instructions?  Thx!

Mon, 03/30/2015 - 23:44

GiaG

I bought the loom yesterday and am very excited to have it home.  The seller threw in some great books, a warping board and a few stick shuttles..

We are newbies and are trying to get to know the loom.  We've pretty much familiarized ourselves with the different parts, but one thing we are wondering about is the purpose of the wrought iron fixtures on both sides of the front, bottom of the loom that you can see in the attached picture.  

Thanks for the help!
Macomber B5

Mon, 03/30/2015 - 23:51

GiaG

Here is a better picture - I had trouble uploading it the first time.

Mon, 03/30/2015 - 23:55

Michael White

very well but I will take a guess that are for the heel rest. A board that goes across the bottom of the front of the loom. Let me see if I have a picture stored here on Wevo. You can see this board under the bench.

Tue, 03/31/2015 - 00:03

GiaG

Darn, he won the bet!  Your bench is beautiful!  Thx.

Wed, 04/01/2015 - 13:07

Michael White

Here are a few more benches I made. Cheryl now has a bench for each of her Macomber looms.

Fri, 04/10/2015 - 23:46

GiaG

My significant other won the bet - that the wrought iron fixtures are for a heel rest. Although i am suspicious that he read it online.  And those are great benches.

I am waiting for parts from Macomber - so anxious to get started!

Thank you for your help!

Sat, 04/11/2015 - 12:42

Michael White

What ever it take to win. I hope he enjoyed his prize.

Michael

Sat, 04/11/2015 - 15:16

GiaG

I don't know if I should ask this question in this thread or another, but I am wondering about yarn sources. I would like to see the yarn in person rather than order online but it appears that the closest source is Halcyon Yarn - which is 2 hours away from me.  I know that Harrisville Designs is in NH but it appears that they only carry wool?  

Also,  I saw a video of a weaver using corrugated cardboard paper - is that used in addition or in place of the fabric skirt?  So many basic questions.....

Sat, 04/11/2015 - 15:55

alfabch

I'm not sure if this is the right place to answer your question, I'm new to this as well and just purchased a Macomber 48" B4-5, way too much loom for me now, but I will learn. Depending on where you are in NH WEBS in North Hampton, MA may be a solution. I'm outside of the Nashua area in it's about a 2 hour drive for me. It is closer for me than Hylacon, especially as I do many dog shows at the Big E in Springfield, MA. 

Sat, 04/11/2015 - 20:51

Michael White

is used with the cloth appron or strings to keep the yarn strands from packing down, it is used to control your tension. Some weavers also use stricks, wall paper, take apart blinds and used the slots (wood, aluminum, vinyl).

I also sell yarn

 

www.gayarnco.com

Mon, 04/13/2015 - 20:06

mneligh

A lot of weavers live too far away from yarn sources to see yarn in person.  I have 4 suggestionsions:

 

  1. Get sample cards from the online source.  I have them from numerous sources of yarn.
  2. Get to know at least one yarn supplier and learn to communicate what you need, then trust their judgement.  Michael White,  of this thread, supplies a lot of my commercial warp, and he knows I don't use much silk.  When I asked about a beautiful silk he had, he conferred with his wife (a weaver) and then told me that it was a difficult yarn to work with, so I chose something else.  The folks at the Woolery are also helpful that way.
  3. Make an expedition once or twice a year to a major yarn store, and stock up.  This means planning your projects well in advance, but so do the alternatives.
  4. Learn to spin your own yarn -- at least that way you can see animal-based fibers "on the hoof" and control all processes to get the yarn you want.  This is my most common source of yarn, and it is not insurmountable.  (If I can do it, anyone can.)

 


Mon, 04/27/2015 - 15:09

GiaG

My boyfriend is almost done refinishing my loom and it's beautiful!  You would never know it's 53 years old.  I am having trouble attaching pictures - I'll post this message and then try to attach them in a separate post.  Thankfully he really enjoys these type of projects.

However, now that we're starting to put it back together we have a few questions as we cannot locate a diagram of the loom and specifically how the pedal used to release the brake and the anti-backlash are hooked up.  Also, the wrought iron lever used to advance the  warp dangles loosely.because the cloth beam does not sit tightly - which could be how it is supposed to be set up, but want to be sure. I've attached a picture showing how much space there is with the beam shifted to the left and also shifted to the right.

  I am so thrilled - I can't wait to start weaving!

Mon, 04/27/2015 - 17:51

GiaG

I think we have figured out these questions.  Thank you for your help.  I will post pictures just to make sure it is correctly set up.