I'm looking for a tension box for my Mac, any feedback from anyone that uses one as to brand and how they fit on the Mac?  I picked up one one ebay and it doesn't fit the beam.  I appreciate any feedback for what works on the Macs.

Cindy

Comments

Thu, 05/19/2011 - 04:56

andsewon (not verified)

I'm also interested in this. How do they attach?
Thu, 05/19/2011 - 05:46

neweaver (not verified)

The Louet that I got just doesn't fit the thicker beam of the Mac.

Thu, 05/19/2011 - 12:11

Michael White

Can this be made to work? Send a picture so I can see if it can be made to work.

Michael

Thu, 05/19/2011 - 12:09

Michael White

Macomber makes one, but your hubby should be able to make one.

Michael

Thu, 06/09/2011 - 01:07

mneligh

I got a tension box from Macomber more than 30 years ago when I purchased my loom.   If need be, I will try to get pictures.  It consists of a piece like a warping paddle, a series of pegs, and a piece like a reed.  It fits onto its own "beam" outside the main portion of the loom, behind the sectional beam.  It is removable, and can also slide along its beam.  In addition, there is a second removable "back beam" that holds the warp from the two warp beams apart, also original on the loom.  Since one uses the tension box for sectional warping, I don't know how one would use it on the front of the loom.  It needs its own beam between the spool rack and the sectional beam in order feed and slide properly.  Let me know if this description does not suffice.

Thu, 06/09/2011 - 10:38

andsewon (not verified)

Seeing exactly how the tension box attaches to the beam would be extremely helpful. Thanks! Connie
Sat, 06/11/2011 - 20:04

mneligh

I posted 2 pictures of a Macomber tension box on my account, since I couldn't figure out how to post it to this thread.  Let me know if I can help in other ways.

Sat, 06/11/2011 - 21:03

Michael White

Remember when we wanted it to be warm, Y'all prayed too hard. Pray for rain.

Uploading pictures:

Bar above (green tree)

 

Top Right red box

Top left upload

Browse

Inside the box (upload)

Top row Insert file

Insert

An you will end up with:

 

 

 

Sun, 06/12/2011 - 00:06

Penn (not verified)

come to PA. We had 2" last night when they just promised a lightshow and 60% chance of rain, and more's about to break loose in a few minutes. I haven't had to water the plantings yet this summer, and we've had some very hot days. Water, water, everywhere...
Sun, 06/12/2011 - 07:09

andsewon (not verified)

Thanks so much for posting these. This is a great help! Connie
Sun, 06/12/2011 - 09:45

sewwhatsports (not verified)

How do you use it? I am still learning so much...
Sun, 06/12/2011 - 13:11

mneligh

The tension box is used in conjunction with a sectional beam (the thing that looks like it has nails jutting out in the above photo) to wind narrow sections of a warp onto the beam.  The sectional beam has known dimensions -- mine has 2" sections and is .75 yards around.  Most people use it in conjunction with a spool rack that holds spools of warp thread.  Let's say you wanted to beam a 9 yard warp at 15 epi.  You'd fill 30 spools  with warp, run it through the piece with holes, the pegs, and the reed-like piece and tie onto the apron of that section (each has its own).  You'd then crank the sectional beam around 12 times (to make 9 yards), filling a 2" section.  If you wanted to make something 40" across, you'd fill 20 sections.  It helps to have a yardage counter and electric spool winder.  No more warping board or reel!

I use mine as well in  a slightly unconventional way (see warping methods thread).  The "break even" point in terms of labor is about 7- 10 yards, depending on width.  The more warp you use, the more it is to your advantage to do sectional warping.  The tension seems to be more even on sectional than on conventional warps, so I tend to use that method most of the time on my Macomber loom.

Sun, 06/12/2011 - 13:19

mneligh

No praying for rain in AR pleae.  We've had 2 big floods this spring and the road has washed out twice, so I couldn't get my little loom to the university for a demonstration.  Friday, though, we got the first cutting of hay up without it getting wet.  How do you email a round bale or two?

Sun, 06/12/2011 - 16:04

Penn (not verified)

To keep the yarns from digging into lower levels of yarn and messing up the tension? The same function of the corrugated paper used when warping a regular warp beam...
Sun, 06/12/2011 - 16:30

Michael White

I number of years ago during our last bad drought we had hay sent to us from the midwest by train. This year it looks like every part of the country is having their own problems. Most farmers/ranchers here got in one cutting of hay before everything turned brown. With the heat and a few rains the pastures and hay fields will grow quick.

Michael

Sun, 06/12/2011 - 16:32

Michael White

That is a very good question, I was thinking about that also. Thanks for asking.

Michael

Sun, 06/12/2011 - 22:17

mneligh

I use separators ol longer warps, not so much to keep the layers separate (which they also do) but primarily to keep track of the number of times I've cranked the beam around.  I use old business cards.  They leave the right amount sticking out for easy counting.

Have you ever been making jelly and had to add 16 cups of sugar, or some such thing?  By about 10 cups I am beginning to question whether it was 9,10, or 11 I just added.  On a warping mill or warping board, if I pay attention to the first round and back, the length is set and I can always count threads in a bundle, although I generally use twining every x rows (like 10 rows if it's 20 epi) to make counting easier.  There's no easy way to figure out how many times you've gone around while sectionally warping unless you use separators.

Because each layer is exactly 2" wide and the threads lie down and can't slide anywhere, I haven't seen as much of a tendency for one layer to dig into another as I have on conventional warps, where I do use newspaper.  This may also be due to the fact that I have my counting aids in place . . .

Wed, 06/15/2011 - 04:23

Penn (not verified)

It involves a bell. It's on this thread from etsy--read down to the entry by Weaving Monk. http://www.etsy.com/teams/7451/etsy-weavers/discuss/6847537/ Here are the photos. http://blossommerz.blogspot.com/2011/02/homemade-warping-tools.html What do you think of this concept? (Psssst, Michael, check out that second link--there's a lot of equipment modification going on!) And thanks for the answer on the packing-down problem, mneligh. I'll probably use a separator of some sort just to allay my own anxiety. Tension issues drive me bananas.
Wed, 06/15/2011 - 22:17

mneligh

My preference for one solution over another depends on the ratio of effectiveness towards solving the problems in question to the effort or cost involved.  In my case, I have a lot of old business cards, they can be reused, and they solve both the counting and packing-down problems.  They're also a whole lot less work in the short run than modifying or building anything.  Sure, you do have to stop after each revolution or two,but how many warps a year would it take to make the bell less work than sticking in cards every layer or two (just be consistent).

I also hate tension problems, which is probably why I'm hooked on sectional warping for my big loom.

Wed, 06/15/2011 - 23:08

Michael White

I was said by the owner of Nancy Knit Knacks (Bob) to modified a hand operated row counter(and some other equipment) and make it a automatic counter. I did just that. Everytime you turn a wheel it will count(9,999) and hold the count untill you reset the counter. It anyone want me to modified a counter (see below $19.95)) sent me a counter plus $20 + return shipping postage and I will make one for you to use on your loom or winder.

Michael

http://www.nancysknitknacks.com/LISTgallery2.htm