I hope I am not jumping the gun here as I am not yet a Macomber owner but I thought this group might help me in my choice of my next loom.  I was wondering how well the 24" (folding) Macomber handles  weaving rugs (of all types) and how sturdy it feels.  I'm limited by space to the smaller loom and in my exploration of various looms (including the Julia Glimakra, which sounds interesting though I've never used a countermarch), I've seen alot of contradictory information. 

(I apologize if this is not the best place on weavolution to bring my question...I'm a newer member).

 

Thanks,

Judy C

Comments

Thu, 03/03/2011 - 23:58

andsewon (not verified)

Judy, That's a great question for this group. Will be interesting to hear the answer! Connie
Fri, 03/04/2011 - 02:08

Michael White

We wecome all people here. I have a friend that makes rag rugs using a 22" folding Harrisville loom. We are talking like for a living. This thing about having to have a large heavy floor loom to make rugs is a lot of bologna.Now can a baby Mac do what you want I can not say. But you can ask Sarah the sales rep for Macomber her email is [email protected]. Or you can wait and see what replies you get here. There is also a rug group here. You can use the search, top right to find them.

Michael

Fri, 03/04/2011 - 13:05

lkautio (not verified)

I have an 8 shaft 24" baby Mac (Type CP).  It is a nice, sturdy little loom, heavier than most portables.  My experience is that you could get a nice weft-faced wall hanging on it, but without some modification or extra effort it won't produce as sturdy a rug.  If you want a loom to weave a lot of rugs rather than the occasional one I'd go for a big Mac or a different loom.  A narrow (24" or 32") big Mac (Type B) still folds to a smaller footprint than the Julia and would definitely be strong and sturdy enough for rug weaving.  It weighs considerably more than the portable.

http://macomberloomsandme.blogspot.com/2009/07/price-list.html

Laurie Autio

Fri, 03/04/2011 - 13:09

lkautio (not verified)

Forgot to mention I also have one of these.  It's a good little loom, but if I were to choose which one to use to weave a rug, I'd choose the Mac any day.  You probably can make almost any equipment work, the question is which one will do it with the least stress and effort on you and the loom. 

Laurie Autio

Fri, 03/04/2011 - 13:30

DebbieB (not verified)

When I bought my used Big Macomber 32" type B, I was told it could weave anything from delicate lace to sturdy rugs. That was great news for me, because I wanted a loom with a wide variety of ability. The frame of the big Macs is very sturdy and stands up to a lot of punishment, and the beater is heavy and solid. I haven't woven a rug yet, but I've woven rep weave and overshot, requiring a solid heavy beat, and the loom is happy to oblige.

My Mac is tall (with a high castle) but it doesn't take up a huge amount of floor space. 44" across (from one side of the beater to the other), 38" deep (from front beam to back beam),  and the weaver needs another 18" in front for room to sit at a bench.

Fri, 03/04/2011 - 17:54

lindaspins (not verified)

I have a 48" Mac and a 22" HD. I love them both, but given the opportunity I would trade the HD for a Baby Mac. My personal experience with the HD is that it is not sturdy enough for rug tension--perhaps with some extra bracing it would be. It's a great portable folding loom, excellent workshop loom, and it has a lot of nuts related to the folding that tend to loosen under heavy tension and beating. From what I've seen of Baby Macs they are just tougher in build than an HD (also heavier) and may do the trick for rugs.

I recently sold a Union 36 rug loom when I finally realized that if I really wanted to do rugs, the large Mac was capable enough to do it. I'd agree that a 32" type B might fit your space requirements--I'm always surprised at how little space (relatively) my 48" takes up.

Fri, 03/04/2011 - 18:10

Michael White

Hi Linda, wecome to the group. On your HD you can replace the standard wing nuts with a jamnut type wing nut.read more about locknuts here:  http://www.ask.com/wiki/Locknut this a wing nut with a nylon center to keep the nuts from moving from normal vibrations.

Wed, 03/23/2011 - 13:12

ladyoftheloom (not verified)

I am in the market for a used floor loom and am considering a Mac which has been recommended by several people because I am TALL.  I was wondering, for the floor looms what is the breast beam height?  I need a tall bench because my legs are long!  Would I be comfy on a big MAC

Thanks for the help!

 

Wed, 03/23/2011 - 17:33

andsewon (not verified)

Lady of the Loom, Welcome! I'm sorta dealing with the height thing myself. I you read the discussion thread on Benches, that might be helpful. I'm 5'7, and while that isn't really all that tall, I do have fairly long legs and am long-waisted as well. I was thinking.....what about contacting Macomber and ask them what it would take to get a "modified" version? The guys are very nice, and I'm sure they've run into this before. All it entails is adding extra length to all the vertical pieces. It's worth a shot! Every time I've called, Eddie has been very helpful. 207-363-2808 (best to call early in the day...like before 1:00pm) Good luck! Let us know what you decide to do. Connie
Tue, 03/29/2011 - 16:51

ladyoftheloom (not verified)

THank you Connie and Michael for your replies!  Sorry it has taken me so long to get back here but I have had some unexpected family issues come up. My loom search is on hold but I am thinking Mac or scandinavian is the way to go.

I am 6'0" with long legs and a bad back and darn if every loom I sit at has some ergonomic issue.  I may just have to modify anything I have or get.

Tue, 03/29/2011 - 19:24

Michael White

Connie says there is a Macomber on Ebay right now. Where did you say you lived?

Michael

Tue, 03/29/2011 - 20:32

andsewon (not verified)

Michael, Her profile says Virginia. Connie
Tue, 03/29/2011 - 22:50

ladyoftheloom (not verified)

Yes guys, in Richmond VA!  Go VCU Rams!

Alice

 

Tue, 03/29/2011 - 23:26

andsewon (not verified)

There are two on Craigslist right now. These are from 3-5 hours driving distance. Would be a nice weekend trip maybe? Lake Wylie, SC $950 http://charlotte.craigslist.org/art/2241271685.html Raleigh/Durham $2000 http://raleigh.craigslist.org/art/2219378288.html There is one listed (a new listing) on Ravelry in Huntington, WV http://www.ravelry.com/discuss/warped-weavers-marketplace/1594553/1-25#6
Tue, 03/29/2011 - 23:36

Michael White

Here is the web site for a weaving guild in Richmond, VA: http://www.richmondweavers.org/ Looks like you have a good looking basketball team. For the record the University of Georgia, Athens; starting class this fall is 5,000 students. For anyone reading this that is larger then all of VCU. Hope your Rams go all the way.

Michael

 

Wed, 03/30/2011 - 12:47

ladyoftheloom (not verified)

thanks Michael.  I am relatively new to weaving, have been a spinner and knitter for years and belong to a spinning guild (Clothos) here. I have never investigated the weaving guild, even though some of the spinners are weavers too. I need to get more involved!  Thanks for the link. My weaving instructor was rather anti-guild for some reason.  Not sure why.

Basketball: To me, coming from UVA and the ACC, it is fun to watch the "little guys" knock off the big guys of the world.  One of my girls goes to VCU so we support them all the way.

Wed, 03/30/2011 - 12:49

ladyoftheloom (not verified)

wow!  I have been trolling craigslist, ravelry and the other outlets as well.  My brother lives in Raleigh.....hmmm