Setting up a Countermarch Loom

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Johanne Lang-Davis

9 months ago

Need help with setting up a countermarch loom.
I just got a new loom no brand name it was made as a copy of one at a technical collage. It was supposed to be set up for me but that didn't eventuate.
I am trying (with no instructions) to set it up myself
Question when the horses at the top are immobilized with the pin through them how high should the shafts hang. Should the eye of the heddles be in a straight line so an imaginary warp would be neutral or should they be up or down.
The lams should they be horizontal before attaching to the shafts. The lams that attach with the twin hooks to the lam (short ones) would make the shafts hang lower than neutral.
If someone has a picture that would be wonderful as I am truly stuck.
I am looking for a copy of tying up your countermarch loom by joanne hall but it has to come from overseas so it will be weeks or months before I will be able to look at that.

wildbunchnz

9 months ago

I suggest you download the instructions "Everything you Ever Wanted to Know" by Madelyn van der Hoogt, they are very helpful instructions and can be found on www.weaversschool.com. If you can't find them please feel free to email me and I will send you a copy.

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Johanne Lang-Davis

8 months ago

Hi thank you that article was a good help.
Can I ask a further question.
I have it all set up and am now up to hooking up the treadles.

I am just trying for a tabby 1 & 3 on treadle 1 and 2 & 4 on treadle 2.
When I take out the pins to test it the raising shafts happen but not the lowering ones and the shafts when nothing is pressed (neutral position) have dropped down and the treadle has come up a lot.

Hope this makes sense. It is like the sinking shafts are not working to counterbalance the weight of the rising.

I have tied it up as follows for 1 treadle.
shaft 1 rising
shaft 2 sinking
shaft 3 rising
shaft 4 sinking

Every shaft is tied to something so I am not understanding why I cant get the sinking shafts to work. Any ideas please.

Patricia H Blazer

3 months ago

Hello. Reading your post, I write to request a copy of "Everything You Ever Wanted To Know" by Madelyn van der Hoogt. I followed your cite to her school's website, but was unable to locate it on her website. I have a Bexell Cranbrook countermarche loom that is unassembled, I wish to assemble it, and my experience so far is limited to Schacht jack looms, so I'm seeking every bit of available understanding. Thank you. Pat Blazer [email protected]

wildbunchnz

8 months ago

Its rather difficult to explain via email but have you seen Jane's excellent explanation in session 1 regarding different types of looms, this may be of some help to you. She also has a skeleton tie-up for countermarch looms however, I can't seem to find it at present. For weaving using 4 shafts I'd tie up my 8 shaft countermarch as follows: Peddle 5 = Rising 1 and 3 sinking 2 and 4. Peddle 6 = Rising 2 and 4 sinking 1 and 3. For an 8 shaft tabby I would tie up: Peddle 5 = Rising 1,3,5,7 sinking 2,4,6,8. Then Peddle 6: Rising 2,4,6,8 sinking 1.3.5.7. You may also have accidentally tied one of the shafts to rise and sink at the same time which will explain why that shaft isn't rising or sinking.

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