I'm about to cut a 27" reed down to 24" (so it fits my loom) and am wondering whether I should leave on one of the end caps.  Does it actually make the reed stronger?  I'd prefer to cut off both end caps because that gives me more available weaving width, but I'm worried that doing so might weaken the reed.

Any thoughts?  This is a metric 120/10 reed, which is roughly equivalent to a 30-dent reed.  (And yes, I know that's fine; I'm warping up with 120/2 silk at 90+ epi!)

Comments

Mon, 08/31/2009 - 12:24

Michael White

Tien, the end bars are what gives the reed it's strength. With out the end bars the only thing you have holding the reed together would be thin wires. You are taking about cuting off three inches, does the reed not fit into the beater the way it is? I do not know how your reed is made but I looked at about 20 reeds this morning all but one had end caps with two rivets holding on a cap. I think I would file off the rivets on one end then cut the top and bottom bar and replace the end bar. Better still see it you can make the reed fit the beater. You could also contact  Jim Wilsom, owner of Gowdey Reed at [email protected] to see if he would give you his input.

Michael

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