Well.... I have an Ashford 8 shaft , 32" table loom, but I've been wishing and wishing I could afford a floor loom. I saw a used 45" 4 shaft leclerc nilus 2 for sale and got it. I turned out to be an ancient 36" Mira (M-series, no less). So not what I was expecting AT ALL. I've cleaned it up and I think I've made friends with it. I love living on our farm and being remote, but it would be nice to be able to discuss this old thing in person with someone who has experience.
Leila
Leila
annmcc123
Barbara Olson
I have a 60" Mira, a little newer than yours. Probably made 70's? or later? I don't really know. But I have experienced some difficulty getting a good shed when I tighten the warp nice and tight like I do on my Tokia countermarch loom. I have to keep the warp a little loose, or I cant treadle the shafts for a good shed. The downside to a looser warp is the increased risk of a skipped thread. I bought my used Mira to make double wide blankets. I have only sampled in cotton so far. My project next will be a double wide wool blanket in the next week or 2. Frustratingly to me, is I cant manage the full 60" without the flying shuttle. But the flying shuttle is in itself problematic with skipped threads, so I took it off. Now I've sampled at 50" and it's doable free handed. But I cant tighten the warp as much as I'd like and risk the shuttle diving down through the warp. When I first put this 4/8 cotton warp on the loom I didn't notice the need for a loose warp. It seemed to develop as I wove along. But I cant see any issues along the way. One thing the flying shuttle provided was a nice shuttle race along the beater, but now without the flying shuttle on the loom there is much less of a race, so I might have to adapt a plastic ledge to make a shelf, for weaving safety. When the warp is tight, I cant get the warp to settle down onto the bottom of the beater. Good idea to go to Ravelry. There is also a FB group for LeClerc looms.
Ah - thanks! Since I'm on the weaving journey I always forget to check in on the Ravelry (I've loved it for knitting!), so I'll do that. These looms are quite the trip !
And I'll check on FB as well! Thanks so much!!
Barbara Olson
Thanks for that advice. Now that I have it put together, cleaned it up, dressed it with a tea towel kit that I made once already on my table loom,... I totally see what you mean about having a little looser tension so the shed doesn't disappear. I wanted to do blankets too, but I'm seeing if this contraption will work on cotton before I purchase the yarn. However, I did get a bunch of floats on the back of the work. I thought it looked different and wondered if it was just a tension issue - nope! lol live and learn! I also re-watched some of the season 1 info about looms, and read everything I could on the Leclerc website because I don't have a manual.
[img]
[/img]
[img]
[/img]
Leila
I'm pointing to where the shed wasn't lowering- there is a band of colour change and floats on the back of the piece. :(
Did you get that shed cleaned up? Curious, I am about to embark on my double wide blanket today after getting all the drafting details finalized (I hope). Mine is a sectional beam Mira and thats another slow down because of the inexperience. I Think your towels are so pretty.
annmcc123
Oh these looms are so interesting!! I re-watched Janes info in season 1 and adjusted a few things. I think I should have bought new pulley ropes and treadle ties. I also contacted Leclerc and they emailed me the old manual, which was interesting, but Jane's video was more helpful IMO. Since I think my Mira was in storage for some time, I also re-cleaned the treadles and am switching to newer Techsolve ties for them between the treadles and lams . Since I have the weaving width, I chickened out on the double weave project and didn't try the double weave on it. I just made the blanket as one flat piece. My *next* project will be a double weave blanket, just to try the method! ha!. I think the shed will be OK if I do a skeleton tie up and don't weave right to the end of my warp- that drastically reduces the shed. That Abalone and Ebony towel kit from JST is really, really nice (gifts). How are things going for you? I hope you post a photo of your project :)
Barbara Olson
Leila
annmcc123
I'm slowly getting my spools wound for the sectional beam. Interesting that you are going to do a skeleton tie up. Have you tried a 1/3 twill? Because with a double width weave they are all sheds created by 1 up and 3 down, or 3 up and 1 down. I have my loom tied up so that I just need to push one treadle for each shed, to weave the top and bottom layers.
This will be my 4th blanket, but the first on the Mira. I will keep you posted.
Leila
annmcc123