Warp Beam Sizing

Sizing the Warp Beam

Trimming the warp beam

Dan and my dad and I went over Monday evening to work on a couple parts of the loom.  First order of business was the warp beam.  The horizontal frame pieces on the top and bottom of the back were both exactly the same width as the warp beam, 47 3/8".  Obviously then the warp beam would not rotate.  So we got permission from the Powers-That-Be to make some irreversible modifications. We took the beam off and Dan used a small back saw to take off about 1/4" on each end of the beam.

Trimming the warp beam tenon

Cleaning up the tenon

The other issue was that the tenon that the brake and handle slide onto was not quite long enough.  This would put some stress on the handle when winding the warp, risking the tenon breaking off at the end.  Since there was extra bulk there, Dan cut off about 1/4" of the shaft, making the tenon a little longer.  He used a chisel to clean it up.

The newly lengthened tenon sticking out of the brake

Once back on the loom, the beam turned freely.  The handle mortice is still deeper than the tenon, but it should be stronger than it was.

(left to right) Warp beam, space to move, vertical frame post, brake, handle

In case anyone is interested, the OCGH is having an open house this coming Sunday, 13 July, 2-4. Dan and I will be there for most of the afternoon.  If anyone wants to come tour the house and take a look at the loom, we'd love to show you!

Next up will be a discussion about the string heddles.  I still haven't figured out how to reproduce them. We're also working with someone to acquire some pulleys for the harnesses.