Hi,

I am seeking advice on how to set the warp on my B5 Loom.  I'm new to weaving & new to my loom .... and to be honest am a little lost.  Can anyone tell me where I can get information on how to do this process correctly for this loom.  I thought there may have been a handbook for the loom but I can't seem to find one anywhere.  I have a few weaving books but again they contain too much info about every other loom and I'm not too sure where to start.  Could anyone direct me to the info I need or recommend the best book to follow.  Perhaps as a total beginner to weaving I was a bit too adventurous with this loom but it seemed like an offer too good to miss and I'm determined to master it (I know it may take time).  Many thanks.

Comments

Fri, 09/23/2011 - 13:10

Michael White

A Macomber is warped just like any other loom. Since you have a book lets start from the beginning. Do you warp Back to front (BTF) or front to back (FTB). Next question, where are you having the problem? Getting the warp on the loom, sleying the reed or heddle?? Pictures always help. Forget the manual for this loom it is useless.

Michael

Fri, 09/23/2011 - 14:30

loommusic (not verified)

When I was first learning to warp, I used the book Warping all by yourself by Cay Garrett. I haven't looked at the book in decades, but remember it as very helpful. I believe that it explains warping front to back only. One of my looms is a Mac and I absolutely love it and hope that you will to. Bev
Sat, 09/24/2011 - 15:07

mneligh

Do you have a sectional beam -- ie., one that looks like a torture implement?  If you do, you warp it back to front. 

The breast beam on the B-types folds down and the cloth beam is easily removed, leading me to believe that the Macomber is meant to be threaded back to front.  This contradicts my basic finding that on most looms I get the most uniform tension on a conventional warp beam if I thread the warp through both reed and heddles before cranking it onto the warp beam.

What other equipment do you have by way of warping gear?  This may help determine your methods.  Someone here can always help.

Sat, 09/24/2011 - 23:17

Kiiki (not verified)

I can second the recommendation of the Warping all by Yourself book. I borrowed it from my guild, on the advice of one of the other members. Great little book. I also like the Interweave video on warping. It was nice to be able to see Madelyn in action and pause and rewind when I didn't quite get something.

I recently warped my Macomber for the first time and I warped front to back, as that is what I'm used to with my other loom. Dropped the warp beam to the ground and it worked just fine.

I do have the original instructions that came with my loom. It's just a few typewritten pages. Not really a manual at all.

 

Tue, 09/27/2011 - 10:57

Dawn Watson

Thanks for all you comments & help.  My husband and I spent most of Sunday (I know you probably all do it i under an hour .... but it took us most of the day).  Anyway, forgetting the time it took, we learnt a lot & had success!  We did it BTF as I had read previously (somewhere, on this site) that most people seemed to prefer the BTF method.  So fingers crossed that we have done it right,  I'm looking forward to getting started on some weaving now.  I think I'll also source the Warping all by yourself book & the Interweave video.  Thanks again everyone.

Tue, 09/27/2011 - 12:42

Michael White

GREAT! It is also good to see that your husband helped you. Yes, Cheryl and I can dress a loom very quick. The key is putting on short warps to use as a learning tool. We can put on a 17 yarn dish towel warp in under 30 mins. Sleying the heddels and the reed takes some time. Enjoy weaving on your Macomber.

Michael