I frequently get the question about lamms hitting each other. I just recently tied up an 8 shaft weave with 8 treadles on a Toika loom. I have done this before on a Toika loom, but it was good to be reminded how the Toika works. Both setts of lamms need space to move and so they should be equidistant from each other and from the shafts and treadles. On a Toika loom, you need to put the lamms at a good height, since there is more than one attachment place to choose from.
Tying Treadles too high
The most common mistake for all types of looms (not just countermarch) is to tie the treadles too high. This gives you less space between them and the shafts, so there is less space for the lamms to move. And it gives you less leg space. So, if you have a problem, the first thing to do is to lengthen the treadle cords. If the treadle is not touching the floor when you open a shed, then you have space to lower the treadles.
Size of your shed
The second most common mistake is to try to get a giant shed. Not only is this not practical, but a large shed will make it hard to attain nice selvages when you are weaving. It also makes it harder to treadle on a tight tension. The shed needs to be about 1/4 to 1/2 inch taller than your shuttle where you put the shuttle into the shed. If the size of your shed is not large enough, it might not be opening as far as it can open. The opening of the shed can be stopped by lamms touching each other or touching the treadles or shaft bars. Look to see if this is happening.
Making your shed larger
Heddles should be at least 10 1/2 inches long to get a large enough shed. This will give you at least a 4 inch shed at the shafts and a 2 inch shed where you put your shuttle in. Larger than this is not necessary. Most shuttles are only 1 to 1 1/4 inch tall. If the treadles are low enough and the lamms are equidistant from each other and the treadles and shafts, you should have a large enough shed.
Any complications with sheds after you have the treadles and lamms at the correct height, would be a problem with the length of individual treadle cords. If you have a copy of my book, Tying up the Countermarch Loom, read page 25 to correct your sheds. But do this only after you know that your shafts, lamms and treadles are at the correct height.
Joanne