I haven't had my Mac for very long, and have never had any instructions for it. I wonder if there is something I could be doing to make it easier to get the hooks on the lamms. I have the old regular hooks, and to attach them, I press down on the lamm with the little wooden dowel that is attached by a piece of rope with one hand, and hook the treadle with the other. It takes a fair amount of pressureto hold down the lamm and I have arthritis in both hands, so this is kind of difficult. Is there an easier way to do this that I just don't know about? Thanks!

Louise

Comments

Sun, 03/20/2011 - 21:22

andsewon (not verified)

Michael, Do you have a picture of the "treadle pusher?" (Sounds like someone selling illegal treadles...lol) Connie
Mon, 03/21/2011 - 01:29

Michael White

Connie, I will take a pictue of one tomorrow. I think you could see one on the Ebay loom. But the pictures are now gone.

Michael

Mon, 03/21/2011 - 04:07

andsewon (not verified)

Hi Michael, No, the pics are still there. Is this hooked to the back of the loom? I see a wooden bar on the backside, but nothing different on the front. Man, that is a fantastic-looking loom! ;o) Connie
Mon, 03/21/2011 - 13:17

Michael White

No, this piece attaches to the wooden frame that holes the lamms. Let me walk over to Cheryl studio and take a picture. I don't know what Macomber calls this part. You push the lamm down and lock it when attaching the hooks.

Michael

 

Mon, 03/21/2011 - 16:30

lkautio (not verified)

Depending on your mobility, I found it easier on my hands to lift the treadle up rather than depress the lamm.  It does require getting your head in there over the lamms so that you are sure which one you are putting the hook into or over. When I depressed the lamms by hand I'd invariably slip at least once, pinching a finger and requiring bad words. 

Old Macs may come with a little wooden peg attached by a string near the lamms.  One end has a v-notch and is used to press the lamm down.  It isn't as nice as the later metal one, because you have to hold it firmly while jiggling the hooks into place.  It is easier than no device, but this is the kind that slips occasionally while you are working. 

If you are depressing the lamms it is often easier to attach all the hooks to that one shaft on the treadles which need it in one go rather than doing all of one treadle first, then proceeding to the next.

Laurie Autio

Tue, 03/22/2011 - 00:15

wolfmoonweaver (not verified)

This must be something that was added to looms after mine was built. I only have the little wooden dowel with the v-notch. Maybe I will change them over the texsolv. Thank you for all of the ideas!

Louise

Tue, 03/22/2011 - 18:38

wolfmoonweaver (not verified)

Thank you everyone for your input and ideas about this. I sent the picture that Michael posted to Sarah Haskell and she told me that it's called a lamm depressor. My loom was made before these were added, I guess. I just called Sarah and ordered one for my loom. This should make it much easier to tie up!

Louise

Tue, 03/22/2011 - 23:03

Michael White

I heard from her today. She is back after being gone for three months. When she is caught up on her emails she will join us here. So we can get her expertise on Macomber looms. She has been their sales rep for over 25 years.

Michael

Tue, 03/22/2011 - 23:06

andsewon (not verified)

That's excellent! I'm sure she'll be a big help with some of these questions and take the load off of you, Michael! ;o) I haven't thanked you enough for all your generosity and help! Connie
Sun, 04/03/2011 - 12:51

wolfmoonweaver… (not verified)

The lamm depressor that I had ordered through Sarah arrived yesterday, and I got it installed. It works wonderfully! It's so much easier to push down a lamm with the lever action, and then it locks in place. I love it!

Louise

Sun, 04/03/2011 - 12:59

Michael White

Louise, I was glad I was able to point you to the depressor.

Michael

Sun, 04/03/2011 - 14:18

andsewon (not verified)

That is fantastic! Eventhough my loom is small, I wish I had one! Connie
Sun, 04/03/2011 - 17:51

neweaver (not verified)

I have the lamm depresser as shown in your pic and have used it to depress the lamms during tie up what I can't figure out is where to hook the wire gizmo so they are locked in place.  I've had to hold them down with one hand while I attach the hook, none of the holes seem to line up...what am I missing?

Sun, 04/03/2011 - 18:29

Michael White

The wire goes under the edge of the wood frame holding the lamms. If you look in the picture above at the wire on the right side and that wood frame. The wire hooks under the edge of that piece of wood.

Michael

Sun, 04/03/2011 - 18:43

neweaver (not verified)

It was in the wrong hole and I didn't see the correct hole with bifocles and a fused neck!  But once I knew where it was supposed to go it was a quick fix.  Thank you, it will be a real pleasure to use on my next warp.