I am using a B5 Macomber, 10 shafts, 14 treadles. I have warped, threaded and tied on a Bronson lace project, 23 inches wide using 40/2 linen sett at 30 epi. I am using nine of the ten shafts, and 11 of the 14 treadles.. Treadle 1 is supposed to raise shafts 2 through 9. Treadle 2 raises shaft 1. Shafts 3 through 11 raise pattern shafts and shaft 1. I have weighted the pattern threads and have good sheds on every treadle except treadle 1. Shaft 1 rises every time I use treadle 1 - that is, on every other weft shot. In order to throw the shuttle, I must manually push down the shaft. Then the shed is fine.
1. I cleaned the loom.
I found a thread on this group that mentioned a similar problem, and it was suggested to clean the loom carefully, and I have done that the best I can with the warp in place.
2. I lubricated it.
After carefully shielding my warp, I also used Blaster lubricant on the lower and upper metal moving parts in the jacks, with particular attention to the parts for shaft 1. I wove another inch and did not see any change at all.
3. Weight of the shaft has no effect.
Shaft 1 has half of the heddles on it and they are the flat metal kind. You would think the weight of the shaft would cause it to drop, but it does not.
4. Shaft 1 is not rubbing another shaft.
Shaft 1 does not seem to be any closer to shaft 2 than any of the other shafts are to each other. They do not seem to be touching.
5. Ah nuts!
The one thing I did notice is that there are two metal plates bolted behind the vertical wires, one on each side of the loom, on the tall uprights. On each plate, two square nuts stick out, one above the other, lined up between the wires for shafts 1 and 2. Both wires are close to the nuts, and one nut is at a diagonal angle. Not really sure they touch, though. What do the two plates do? Could the nuts, bolts and plates be removed? Would it help?
Do you have any other suggestions? I really want to be weaving! Thanks so much for any suggestions.
Karen