Does anyone have advice on  how to easily unclip and reclip those things that doesn't stress the fingers and hands so much? I just finished warping my loom and found that process very difficult.

Thanks.

Susie

Comments

mneligh

I use heavy leather gloves, after moving the heddles as far away from the clips as possible.  I suppose you could use a "squaw hitch" -- apologies for the expression.  If you have a 1" wide band of stout fabric or web, tie it comfortably around the heddle bar and frame not far from the clip, then stick a pencil under it and twist. 

The technique comes from horse and mule packing, but I use it all the time for tightening fence wire, and also for clamping things like chair legs when the stretchers need regluing. You can alo use use it to tighten the warp on a primitive loom.

Michael White

Susie, has you know you have to unclip the clips before dressing your loom so you can move the heddles. Some times the clips get bent so you may need to bend them back into place a little. After the loom is dressed I start hooking up the bottom hooks first, making certain the heddles by the clips are not crossed. I move some of the heddle out of the way and press down on the heddle bar and hook it under the clip. On the top clips I wrap my hand over the top of the heddle frames and using my fingers squeeze the heddle bar over the clips. This can be a real bugged on our 16 shaft Macomber. If your hands are weak you could just a pair of pliers

Michael

susiehoke

You provided a couple of good ideas to try next time. I appreciate it.

I'm just working with 4 of my 8 shafts and find it difficult - I can imagine 16 provide a real challenge!

Susie

susiehoke

I have used the "squaw hitch" technique many times - just didn't have a name for it! Gloves sound like a possible solution. I have several things to try next time. Again, thanks.

Susie

Peg R

Michael, my 22" 8H macmber has no clips on the bottom heddle bars, just the holes to attach the lams. I hate it, because the bars have bent over the years and "catch" each other with some treadling sequences. Have tried the string solution, but it is time-consuming. Could you take a picture of your bars, so that perhaps my husband can fashion something? 

 

sandra.eberhar…

I have the sme problem with the lower heddle bar on my Baby Mac.  I am trying some really big plastic paper clips; I'll see how that works.  Why do you have to unclip the heddlebars to dress the loom?  I never touch mine.

Michael White

Peg, sorry that you are having this problem. You can purchase chips from Macomber. The bars on Cheryl's 32 inch are 1 inch. Have your DH drill a hole 1/4 inch down and 1/8 inch up in the center of the bar. I would wait to
see what size dia the clips you get from Macomber.
You say the bottom bars do not have clips? Does the top bar have a clip?

 I see you are in Maine. If you are not too far from York why not take the bars to Macomber and have them install clips. Cheryl parents live in Maine.

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