Has anyone who has a Schact standard had the shafts tipping, not staying level? I thought it might be because I had extra heddles on only one side of two shafts, but not sure. Thanks for any insight. Sue
Yes Sara but the Baby Wolf is not lifted that way. There is a screw attached to the lammwhich is screwed through the frame of the shaft and the frame is pushed up. Which I believe minimizes any tipping.
Cathie
Whoops thought we were on the other thread! I have no experience with the Standard! Sorry all.
The Schact standard also has bolted pairs of wooden "bars?" That raise the shafts when the foot pedal is depressed, not a cord on top. I think, once the loom is free, I'll clean it and then tighten everything, which I haven't done since I bought it used 2 years ago. It was built in 1973, but despite its age, has produced many really nice pieces.
I don't think it matters if the shaft is lifted by a cord or jacks from the bottom, if you have enough empty heddles on one side, you may have an umbalanced shaft, more so if you have steel heddles.
You bet it matters! On both the Schacht Standard and the Wolf looms the jacks push up from the center. This can lead to tipping and sticking of the shafts in the grooves. Excess heddle weight on one side is often the culprit. Just tape a flat weight - I used to to use silver dollars - on the opposite side of the shaft. Tipping and jamming of the heddle frames can also be caused by the loom sitting on an uneven floor and getting out of square.
I'm so grateful to have your insights when I'm having growing pains in my weaving journey. I have "met" so many generous hearts here at Weavolution, Thank you!
Submitted by Sue in VT on 
Comments
Any loom where the shaft is
Any loom where the shaft is lifted by a single cord in the center can lift unevenly, even when there are slots at the sides.
Yes Sara but the Baby Wolf is
Yes Sara but the Baby Wolf is not lifted that way. There is a screw attached to the lammwhich is screwed through the frame of the shaft and the frame is pushed up. Which I believe minimizes any tipping.
Cathie
Whoops thought we were on the other thread! I have no experience with the Standard! Sorry all.
Standard has....
The Schact standard also has bolted pairs of wooden "bars?" That raise the shafts when the foot pedal is depressed, not a cord on top. I think, once the loom is free, I'll clean it and then tighten everything, which I haven't done since I bought it used 2 years ago. It was built in 1973, but despite its age, has produced many really nice pieces.
Unbalanced Shafts
I don't think it matters if the shaft is lifted by a cord or jacks from the bottom, if you have enough empty heddles on one side, you may have an umbalanced shaft, more so if you have steel heddles.
Heddle weight
You bet it matters! On both the Schacht Standard and the Wolf looms the jacks push up from the center. This can lead to tipping and sticking of the shafts in the grooves. Excess heddle weight on one side is often the culprit. Just tape a flat weight - I used to to use silver dollars - on the opposite side of the shaft. Tipping and jamming of the heddle frames can also be caused by the loom sitting on an uneven floor and getting out of square.
I guess in 28 years I've been
I guess in 28 years I've been lucky:)
Cathie
THANK YOU ALL!
I'm so grateful to have your insights when I'm having growing pains in my weaving journey. I have "met" so many generous hearts here at Weavolution, Thank you!