I don't have a Macomber yet, but I've heard good things about them,  and the expandability sounds nice. Someone at the guild I just joined,  but haven't been to a meeting of yet, has an extra one she is thinking of maybe selling. So maybe...

Comments

Sat, 10/19/2013 - 01:15

sally orgren

They had a booth at Convergence Long Beach, with two new looms. Give them a call and perhaps request a catalog? Ask if they know of others who own their looms in your area? They are certainly workhorse looms. Good luck!

Sat, 10/19/2013 - 01:29

pammersw

I had no idea. :) I've only been a weaver for about a month,  and first heard of Macombers about 8 or 9 days ago.

Sat, 10/19/2013 - 13:00

mneligh

If you have only one loom, I recommend a B-type Macomber.  The are not portable, but do have a small foot print for a big, heavy-duty. versatile loom.  Tie-ups on them are more straightforward than on countermarche or counterbalance.  They can weave anything from heavy rugs to very light weight textiles.

I first heard about them in the late 1970's from my teacher in a weaving class who said, after a couple of semesters, that that was the loom I needed.  I got one.  I have added to my stable of looms, but my Mac is still my first choice for most things.  She wove on a Cranbrook, btw.  

I'm not sure how many shafts beyond 16 you need (they do come in handy for edges not threaded in the main pattern), but I would get the maximum-sized frame for the width you get, if not all the shafts and treadles.

Sat, 10/19/2013 - 14:00

Michael White

I invite you to join my Macomber group here on Weavolution and over on Ravelry: http://www.ravelry.com/groups/macomber-looms Macomber looms are a school's workhorse. Years ago Macomber sold looms to schools (universities, colleges etc) at cost. Why? Well as a student you learn on a Macomber so when you get ready to purchase a loom what do you want, a Macomber. That and the fact that this loom will take the beating from students and keep on working.

 Michael

Sat, 10/19/2013 - 14:11

Dena (not verified)

Just to expand a bit on what mnleigh said about B types.  There are two basic models of Macomber.  The CP is small, foldable, portable.  The B, while it folds in a little bit, is not.  They are very different kinds of looms and while the CP is lovely, I expect that most of us who are "Macomber Junkies" are talking about the B model.  I am convinced that I would not have become a professional weaver if I had ended up with a different loom early on.  One more thing to keep in mind....check out the prices on extra shafts.  They are really expensive.  Sometimes adding another four costs more than you pay for the loom (when you buy the shafts new and the loom used).  For some people it makes sense, but for others, it makes more sense to sell the four shaft and find a great used one with more.
Sat, 10/19/2013 - 15:43

pammersw

Micheal,  that sounds like the reason Apple sold a lot of Macintosh computers to schools in about the same era. :)

Dena, I am interested in a B type. The "excess" one the lady at the guild has is a B, fortunately.  I need to save up some serious money to afford to get it,  as she wants to get out of it what she put into it. Around here, that's more likely to be $1000 than $500.

 

Sat, 10/19/2013 - 15:44

mneligh

I don't disagree, but who can give up that first Mac?

While you can certainly buy new Macombers, they are also a great deal used, given how sturdy they are.  There are some looms I would not buy used, but you're pretty much guaranteed you can get parts and support for Macs, new or used.  I'm not sure that would have prevented me from buying a new one when I got one, but I would have thought more about it before I did.

Sat, 10/19/2013 - 15:45

mneligh

I don't disagree, but who can give up that first Mac?

While you can certainly buy new Macombers, they are also a great deal used, given how sturdy they are.  There are some looms I would not buy used, but you're pretty much guaranteed you can get parts and support for Macs, new or used.  I'm not sure that would have prevented me from buying a new one when I got one, but I would have thought more about it before I did.

Sat, 10/19/2013 - 15:52

pammersw

New looms are beyond my budget right now. After I've woven and sold some stuff for a while,  maybe then. :)

Around here, we are a long way from Maine, and all the good looms seem to be priced at $1000 or even more.  Makes it tough to get started! 

Sat, 10/19/2013 - 16:47

pammersw

Just joined the ravelry group. I've been MaHubbard there for near five years, but haven't been there lately.  I didn't know there were weaving groups, too! Very cool. 

Sat, 10/19/2013 - 23:36

Michael White

 

The letter following the number defines the weaving width of your loom.

B5~

• A=24”

• B=32”

• C=40”

B4~

• D=48”

• E=56”

• K=64”

• L=72”

On some of the older looms there was not a letter.