It is all about size, this information comes from Sarah Haskell’s Macomber blog. She is the sales rep for Macomber:
http://macomberloomsandme.blogspot.com/
This blog posting is all about deciphering the model and serial number on your Macomber Loom. Every loom made by Macombers since 1936 has a metal tag on the side of the castle. This plate pictured here is from my 56” 16H loom that I purchased new in 1976.
The serial number is a sequentially assigned number that goes from 1 - 10,000. These numbers are tied to a date of manufacture and assigned to the original owner. Once these numbers reach 10,00, they start the numbering system all over. The serial number on my loom is 2489. Rick says that he thinks that all total Macomber Looms has built roughly 30 - 40,000 looms since 1936 when the records began.
The model number is defined by the size of the loom. The models numbers define the weaving width of the loom. B5 Looms are 24” , 32”, and 40”. B4 Looms are 48”, 56”, 64” and 72”.
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”
The model number on my loom is B4E. It is a 56” weaving width loom. The model numbers and letter help the loom builders decide what size wood to use to build your loom. There is an exception to this system. A 40” loom that has the capacity for 12 or 16 harnesses is built with the B4 size wood. So these looms would be model numbers B4C.
You don’t really need to understand all this. These numbers are mainly for the guys at Macombers to know what size materials to use to build parts for your loom. In my next blog posting, I’ll decipher the portable looms serial and model numbers.
Here’s another shot of a model and serial label from a 20 harness 56 loom (the one that recently sold thru the blog).
If I have totally confused you, my apologies…and…no worries! Keep weaving, be happy. These numbers and letters are only important if you want to order parts.
~ Sarah
Model numbers part two
Here’s the scoop on the Portable Loom numbering system as well as the Extra Large Macs.
Portables (Baby Macs)that are older than about 1976 were all numbered as CP 11. After that date the models are labeled as follows:
• CP-F = 16”
• CP-G= 20” 6H frame
• CP-H= 20” 8H frame
• CP-J = 24”
And finally the Type B1 Folding Looms, or Extra Large Macs are the following models:
• B1 - M= 98”
• B1-N = 122”
• B1-O = 146”
The serial numbers are as explained in my last post, sequential from 1- 10,000. And as I mentioned, these model labels are more for the loom builders, so that they can build the correct parts for your loom. Hope this unravels any mystery you might have had about the model and serial numbers!