I am thinking of getting a 48" Norwood Cranbrook loom that has a chain tie up system. Will I want to switch to the Texsolv cord tie up? If so, would I want the light or heavy cord? I plan to weave everything on it, including rugs. I am new to countermarch looms so please advise away! Thanks!

Comments

Wed, 04/29/2015 - 22:02

sandra.eberhar…

Why do you want to change?  Do you have too few chains to tie it up?  Is it hard to adjust?  Texsolv will solve both of those issues, but you have to look at your loom carefully to see if it will work well (see posts about changing Macombers to Texsolv).

Wed, 04/29/2015 - 23:44

Rena (not verified)

I read that it makes the tie up much easier. I've heard that countermarch looms take a while to tie up and that the Texsolv system makes it faster than the chains. I don't even have the loom yet! As far as I know all the chains are there and everything works beautifully. I am just wondering if this is something that will make a difference and is worth exploring.
Wed, 04/29/2015 - 23:57

Sara von Tresckow

I have a Cranbrook with the chain tieup - it works wonderfully on the loom. I use it for rugs exclusively (4 shafts/6 treadles) and have not adjusted the tieup in literally years. Those "dire warnings" about countermarche looms come mostly from weavers who have never used them or tried them without proper instructional material.

Thu, 04/30/2015 - 00:50

Rena (not verified)

Ok! Well, I do not plan to change anything right away as I believe the loom is functioning nicely. Maybe it is "much ado about nothing"! However, if you haven't changed the tie up system for awhile, is that because you use the same patterns for all the projects you do on that loom? If I plan to do different projects on this loom I may need to change the tie ups occasionally, correct? Will it matter then?
Thu, 04/30/2015 - 03:35

Sara von Tresckow

Yes, you will change your tieup occasionally, but it is not the end of the world. These looms were designed with the chain system and I wouldn't change it unless you find it too difficult after several changes. Also, if it comes with sound string heddles, keep them. The Cranbrook looms were built pre-Texsolv and may not have a good fit if you change them out. Mine is a 1975 Bexell with the original chains and string heddles - still going strong.

Thu, 04/30/2015 - 12:17

Rena (not verified)

Ok, so I think I will let that idea go and first get to know the loom well before I entertain any changes. It is a 1986. Thank you very much for all your advice! I feel more reassured that the mechanisms (and the string heddles, if that is what they are) in place will be fine.
Thu, 04/30/2015 - 15:40

theresasc

I had the same thought process that you did, texsolv would be easier than chains.  I have a 63" 8-shaft Norwood Cranbrook.  I changed the tie-ups to heavy texsolv cord and could never get a level shed, especially the shed floor which is the most important.  The loom completely frustrated me with constant weaving errors because of the sheds.  I went back to the chains and have been weaving hassle-free since.  The chains are a tad tedious to change around, but it just is not that big of a deal.  Every once and a while I still think about getting the lighter texsolv cord and trying it again, but then I am afraid I will have the same problems.  The chains are designed for the loom and in my case, are in excellent shape.  I will probably just stick with the chain system.  The key to tying up a CM is to have a good diagram for the tie-up, remember bottoms up (lower lamms lift the threads) and take your time and check as you go.  The biggest problem I have found is when I thread a chain to the wrong lamm.

Thu, 04/30/2015 - 16:37

Rena (not verified)

This was very helpful advice- especially because this is all new to me and I want to get off to a good start. I will now try to be patient in learning this new system, do it carefully and give it a chance. Thanks so much for sharing your experience!

Wed, 05/06/2015 - 14:37

Joanne Hall

The heavy texsolv cord has adjusting holes every 1 inch rather than 1/2 inch. Perhaps the problems you had came from using the heavy cord.  The regular cord will give you a finer adjustment.  Plus, the smaller holes in the cord are useful for using the anchor pins and arrow pegs.

Chain tie-ups were very popular in the 60s and 70s when four shafts was enough for most weavers.  The disadvantage of the chains is that when you weigh all those chains, you will determine how many extra pounds of weight you are moving.  Of course, there is a balance with a countermarch tie-up, but you are still moving more weight than if you use the Texsolv cord.

Joanne

Wed, 05/06/2015 - 16:05

theresasc

using the lighter texsolv. Even using the chains with all eight shafts, the treadling is still so much lighter than when I was weaving on my 48" Kessenich jack loom.  So for now I am planning to stick with the chains.

Thu, 05/07/2015 - 01:13

jander14indoor (not verified)

I changed my Bexel Cranbrook over to texsolv.

But I did it more because I was expanding my older Cranbrook from 4 to 8 shafts.  When I priced matching chain it was cheaper to just go with Texsolv. 

Any issues I've had I've attributed more to learning to weave and set up a countermarche loom than the texsolv.

 

Jeff Anderson

Livonia, mI