I recently purchased a 10H B5 Macomber loom. When I bought it there were four harnesses on it. I was given another set of four that had been used but taken off, and then a set of two packaged in a box from Macomber that had never been put on the loom to complete the 10 H system. I took the harnesses and lamms and everything that goes with them off once I got the loom to my house and did some quick cleaning. When I went to put everything back on I noticed little numbers on the brass jacks so I made sure to put them in order when I put them back on. However, the jacks are not numbered 1-10, I have 1-8 and then an additional 5 and 6 to make the total of ten. So I put them on in this order: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 5, 6, 6, 7, 8. Once I got everything put together and dressed the loom my shed was horribly uneven. I changed the number of links in the chains connecting the harnesses to the jacks from having the exact same number of links to having an uneven number of links in order to even out the shed when it was closed. However when I press a treadle and the shed opens up the warp is not even all the way across, so that when I throw a shuttle it catches on some warps or jumps over/under warps that it should not.

Any ideas on what could be wrong? This is the first Macomber I have woven on. Could it be the jacks? Something else entirely? I am open to any suggestions.

Sorry for such a long explanation.

Comments

Sun, 08/14/2011 - 13:31

Michael White

Emily.

Yes, the jacks are the problem. On the Macomber the jacks are the only thing that is different. See the picture below of the jacks. The holes in the jacks move from the outside to the inside. Check your holes to see if this is the case. You may have to "drill" a new hole in some of the jacks.

Michael

 

Sun, 08/14/2011 - 14:17

SallyE (not verified)

I'm wondering if Macomber would sell you jacks 9 and 10 for your model loom.   The whole package to add a single new harness is about $200, but just the jacks should be a lot less.

Sun, 08/14/2011 - 16:35

EmilyH

hmmm. the holes do move in a little bit but obviously not as they should because I have doubles on some of the jacks.

If I try to drill new holes do you have any ideas of how I can be sure to get the placement correct? Also, any tips on how to drill through brass?

That picture is very helpful, thank you. Can you tell me which side of the picture (the left or the right) is the front of the loom?

I will look into buying just the 9 and 10 jacks, but I am in college right now so I don't have a lot of extra money to spend in this area.

Sun, 08/14/2011 - 16:37

EmilyH

I also noticed that the rubber piece that the jacks sit on is very worn and uneven compared to what I see in that picture, so maybe that is adding to my problem? Any suggestions of what I could replace it with?

Sun, 08/14/2011 - 18:36

Michael White

Macombers sells replacement bumpers

Sun, 08/14/2011 - 18:44

Michael White

The front of the loom is to the right. The holes move 1/4 inch per shaft. Brass is easy to drill with a drill bit that you use to drill wood. If I remember right the size is 1/8 inch. All the chains need to be the same size. I will measure the 9 & 10 jacks and tell you the distance for the hole.

Michael

Sun, 08/14/2011 - 18:43

SallyE (not verified)

The hardware store will help you with drill bits if you tell them what you are drilling through.   Get the bits that will go through steel and they will easily go through something softer like brass.  Since the extras that you have are numbers 5 and 6, and you need a 9 and 10, the holes you need are far enough away from the existing holes that drilling should be very doable.   A drill press will help if you can find someone that has one you can use.   I have a drill press and the bits and could do this for you for the cost of the postage.   If you want me to, send me a PM.

Sally

 

Sun, 08/14/2011 - 22:00

EmilyH

Thanks for the offer Sally that is very nice of you.  I talked to my Dad and found out that he has a drill press so I will be going to his house soon to show him the jacks and talk about drilling the holes. 

By the way, since I have the jacks off, is there a top and a bottom to the jacks? And if there is how can I tell?

Sun, 09/18/2011 - 00:17

Ruthe (not verified)

I recently added harnesses 8 - 10 (from Macomber) and put the first warp on of tencel.  I get a very loose shed on most of them.  I have tied up 

1-2-3-4, saggy but passable shed  1-2-3-5, saggy but passable shed

1-2-4-6, very saggy & bad shed    1-3-5-7, very saggy & bad shed

2-4-6-8, very saggy & bad shed    3-5-7-8, very saggy & bad shed

4-6-7-8, poor shed but passable    5-6-7-8, almost 2 sheds

I'm afraid to tighten too much, but it does seem to help a little.  Any suggestions?  I'm halfway thru the scarf and I can suffer thru the rest but will this happen to all warps???  Thanks for any help/suggestions.

I have had this 56" Mac for almost 10 years and no problems until I added new harnesses.  Perhaps I should use the 36" for scarfs??  Only 4H though.  I can add up to 12 on that one.  

Thanks

Ruthe

Sun, 09/18/2011 - 01:19

Michael White

My first question is how are the jacks hanging.

This is a 16H 56" Mac. The front is to the right. Also see the picture in post #1.

Michael