Hello all-

I'm not new to the group, but I'm new to the "owner's" club. :-) I joined awhile back while I was borrowing my guild's little CP. I currently have a 4 shaft Loomcraft that I bought and refinished a few months ago. I've been haunting Craig's List for an 8 shaft loom, and a 48" 8-shaft Macomber came up today and it was too good a deal to pass up! I just came back from seeing it and paid for it spot on. I'm picking it up tomorrow, if the weather cooperates (rain in the forcast for the next 3 days-boo hoo!). And the loom is 10 minutes from my house--how could I pass it up?

To be honest, I don't know the extent of what I have. It's in great shape--no rust was visible that I could see, just needs a good cleaning. It's been owned by a weaver for 40+ years and her daughter was selling it for her. Sadly, I didn't get to meet the owner (she had just left for the airport). The loom has been in one of those rental storage facilities for years. The daughter said that lifting the shafts just got to be too much for her mom, but she has had a hard time letting it go. It clearly was well-loved and cared for.

So, since it was an amazing price and in good shape I just said I'll take it and I'll figure things out when I get it home. The listing says there is room for 12 shafts, but I'm not certain there is room. Guess I'll find out. Looks like there are two warp beams (plain).

Any advice on moving it? Anything I shouldn't take off? We are either going to borrow a pickup or rent something from home depot. My 40" loomcraft fit into my neighbor's minivan, but my husband doesn't think this one will. Sarah's blog was so helpful to me with the CP--I'm bummed she's no longer a rep, but I'm sure her blog will once again come to my rescue!

I took all the pieces that were loose (raddle, warping reel, shuttles) but I won't feel settled until I actually have it in my house! I have NO idea where I'm going to put it. :-)

Sharon

Comments

Sun, 08/14/2011 - 19:35

Michael White

Sounds like you got a great deal. An only 10 mins away. I am posting a picture of a 48/8 on the back of my S10 pickup. That is how I would get it. The whole trick to moving the big loom is to stand it on it's end and lower one end to the tail gate then pickup the other end and slide it into the truck. Strap/tie it down good and drive home. Or make a set of wheels and a ramp.

Have fun and enjoy your new loom.

Michael

Sun, 08/14/2011 - 00:33

Kiiki (not verified)

Thanks for the tip! Yes, it looks like we will be borrowing our friend's pick up. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that the weather holds out.

 

Sun, 08/14/2011 - 19:33

Michael White

Kiiki, I will post a picture of a set of wheels that I made to fit the big Macombers. You can see the wheels in used here. The wheels on the 48" Mac are made up of the following parts. (4) 7 inch mower wheels (1/2" shaft), (2) 3/4 inch SQ tubing 13" long (56" loom requires a 24" tube), (8) 1/2" flat washers (one on each side of the wheel),(4) 1/2" lock nuts (make certain they fit the threaded rods) (2) 1/2" threaded rods, 18" long. Clamp the wheels to the looms as shown below.

 

Sun, 08/14/2011 - 14:02

Kiiki (not verified)

Now you are scaring me! ;-) Hopefully it won't be a huge ordeal to move. Unfortunately, it's been just pouring all morning. I'm really hoping the rain will let up, but it's not looking promising. Sigh.

Sun, 08/14/2011 - 19:40

Michael White

It is no big deal, I have moved 4 large macs in my little truck, Including a 56/16 from MI to GA.

Think Positive

Sun, 08/14/2011 - 21:00

Kiiki (not verified)

Sigh. I just got back from taking as many parts as I could. It's sitting in a garage (it had just been delivered from one of those climate controlled storage places). If I couldn't get the whole loom, I wanted to get the harnesses and as much as I could out of the humidity.

It's a 10 shaft frame, not 12. The daughter says her mother insisted it was ready for 12, but I only see two more channels. That's fine. At 48", I'm not sure I could lift 12 anyway! 8 will keep me busy for a long, long time.

We took off the harnesses, beater, the back warp beams and the breast beam--so now it is MUCH lighter and should be easy to move with an extra pair of strong arms.

I'm impatient, but at least I have some of it here! I'm sure I'll have lots of questions down the road. :-)

Sharon

Tue, 08/16/2011 - 00:52

Kiiki (not verified)

I'm happy to report that the loom is home. I hope it will be very happy here. :-)

Now I begin the clean-up process. It seems to be in great shape--just very, very dusty. I don't see much in the way of rust, thankfully.

I'm sure I'll have lots of questions soon.

Tue, 08/16/2011 - 12:26

Michael White

I hope the move went smoothly and was not as bad as you were thinking,

Michael