While I've done a lot of weaving in the past few years, there are many things I've just never encountered, and as a new weaver (only for those past few years), I'm looking for your advice on what feels like a really basic question.

The bottom tape on my reed is mostly no longer attached to the reed. Obviously, I could turn the reed upside down, since what is now the top has relatively pristine tape.  But here are my questions....

1) How important is the tape?  Does it need to be replaced for other than esthetic reasons?  (It never catches on my threads.)

2) If it does need to be replaced, what kind of tape should I use?  And is the process as straightforward as it seems, or are there some tricks I need to know?

Thanks!

Comments

Sun, 11/01/2009 - 17:15

claudia (not verified)

Hi Peg,

This is a good question and one I am looking for responses myself.  I have an older reed I would like to repair/replace the tape.  I think it is essential because the surface underneath is tackie, sticky and I'm worried yarns might carch on it.  I don't know if it's essential but I am planning on using electrical tape or duct tape.  I think the duct tape will hold better and may last longer.

My reed is like yours, only one edge is falling apart, the other one looks pretty good.

Looking forward hearing from other, more experienced weavers.

Claudia

Sun, 11/01/2009 - 17:26

debmcclintock

 high quality duct tape is good but you have to watch the sticky residue from the duct tape, also explore electrician's tape, not as sticky......your goal is to protect the loom from scratches from the reed ends and to stabilize the twining that holds the reeds in place (stability is key)

Sun, 11/01/2009 - 18:14

peg.cherre (not verified)

Thanks for letting me know the structural reason - that's helpful. 

Most reeds I see have some type of colored tape.  Perhaps there's some other type of tape we should use?  Like cloth-reinforced tape?  

Sun, 11/01/2009 - 18:26

debmcclintock

 you can try many different tapes, you are only limited by $$$ and choice in local store. I prefer elecrician's tape due to low sticky factor which duct tape can cause (ask me how I know!).  I'm sure someone will have some other suggestions...

Sun, 11/01/2009 - 22:05

Michael White

Peg, The tape on the reed holds the reeds in place. That said. as long as you know the tape is missing the track in the beater will keep the reeds from falling out. Yes , replaceing the tape is as straightforward has it looks. Finding the tape to use is a different matter. Here is the man with all your answers. Jim Wilson, owner of Gowdet Reed Co. "The worlds oldest reed co" [email protected]  web site: http://www.gowdeyreed.com/reeds_handloom.html

Michael

 

Sun, 11/01/2009 - 23:14

JoAnnaWeaves (not verified)

Michael,
I had a question about reeds for Macomber looms. I was looking at getting a reed from Webs or Yarn Barn and I wasn't sure exactly what I was looking at. Does it matter if the reed is a narrow model? My Macomber has an adjustable bar that is tightened by wingnuts. I assume it would probably be better to just order it from Macomber, but I wanted to keep my options open. (I am posting this here because I haven't figured out the PM feature yet and didn't want to start a whole new forum post)
Also, is there anything else I need to take into special consideration when purchasing a reed for a Mac?

Thanks,

JoAnna

Mon, 11/02/2009 - 00:02

tommye scanlin

 Michael,

About tape for the reeds... could one use a glue -- like PVA or another archival-type glue instead to stabilize the blades of the reed?

Tommye

Mon, 11/02/2009 - 00:46

TinaHilton (not verified)

I've used duct tape, but I think I remember someone recommending the tape libraries use to repair book bindings.


Mon, 11/02/2009 - 00:53

Michael White

 JoAnna, The height of the reed does make a big different.  If the height is too short you will not get a "full" shed opening. Webs, Yarn Barn & I would guess Macomber do not "make their own reeds. A reed is a reed no matter where you buy it. I would check out everyones price. What you will need to know is: dents per inch/mm, length, height and if you want stainless or carbon steel. SS is more expensive but will not rust. The Macomber reeds we have here are 5 inchs tall.

Tommye, you could use an adnesive if you wanted to. But why go to all that work. We have reeds here that have gum paper on them others have a cloth tape. I will ask this question of Jim to see what he has to say.

Michael

Mon, 11/02/2009 - 00:57

Michael White

Tina, I am with you duct tape works for me, and now a days you can get it in many colors.

Michael

Mon, 11/02/2009 - 03:22

JoAnnaWeaves (not verified)

Thanks for the info! I really appreciate it. :)
JoAnna

Mon, 11/02/2009 - 13:25

claudia (not verified)

Hi Joanna,

Since I had the same reed question as you, I'll answer the PM question.  If you look over to the left side of the page, right now, you should see several choices for navigating to, including "Messages".  That's where you can write and receive PMs.

Hope that helps.

Claudia, Weavolution co-founder

Tue, 11/03/2009 - 17:03

Eva (not verified)

I also have the 5" tall reeds for my Macomber and I bought them from different places over the years and inherited some from other looms.  Most are carbon and the ones I use a lot have not rusted as much as those that just sat around.  I bought a few with finer dents like 18 per inch and those are stainless steel with no rust problems.  The ones that came with the paper on the top and bottom eventually got torn so I replaced them mostly with duct tape and they're doing fine.  I noticed that on some of them I used some kind of thicker tape that had a clothlike backing but a lot of those got loose (looks like the glue dried out).  So I'm also with Tina and Michael on the duct tape.

Eva   

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