Page 5-2
It is important to make these calculations in advance so that you can
purchase your yarn in spools or cones corresponding to the amount of
yardage needed on each. Sometimes this is not possible and you will
need to wind your own spools from yarn that is in larger packages. For
doing this, you will need empty plastic spools, a bobbin winder (prefer-
ably electric), and a yardage counter. These items are available from
AVL.
LOOM PREPARATION
To prepare your loom for the use of the sectional beam, see pages 2-7 and
2-8 of this manual.
EXTENSION CORDS
You might want to make a permanent set of extension cords to use when
warping the sectional beam. Extension cords are also called apron cords
and have the same function as the apron on the plain beam. They give
you "reach" from the warp beam and allow you to weave every possible
inch until the end of the warp touches the last shaft you are using. Make
them out of a strong non-stretchable linen or cotton cord. You will need
to make one extension cord for each section in your sectional beam. For
each extension cord, cut a piece of cord. Take the two ends of the cord
and knot them together. Measure to make sure that they are long
enough to reach all the way to the harnesses. All extension cords should
be exactly the same size.
When measuring the length of the cords, also check to be sure that when
the cords are wound on to the beam, the end of the loop and any knots in
the cords fall between the crosspieces of the sectional beam, not on them.
A sectional beam is usually not solid. It is a frame that has metal pegs.
That way you can keep the warp smooth on the beam without going over
the knots of threads.
FEEDING THE SPOOL RACK
Next, place a spool or cone rack about five or six feet behind your loom.
Place the spools or cones for the first warp sections on the cone rack.
Make sure you put each thread through the metal eye on the spool rack
so the threads do not get tangled.
When arranging the spools on the spool rack, it doesn't matter whether
you go top to bottom or bottom to top, the important thing is to be
consistent in vertical columns and to place the spools in the order that
the threads are in the warp.
ADJUSTING THE TENSION DEVICE
Before winding the sectional beam, loosen the brake adjustment cord
(this is a white nylon cord with a black cord-stop - see Figure 4). Simply
press the button on the top of the cord-stop and slide it up and down the
nylon cord until the tension is sufficiently released to be able to wind the
warp.
TENSION BOX
The tension box is an essential warping tool which:
a.)
Puts threads under tension.
b.)
Spreads threads to the proper width.
c.)
Makes thread-by-thread lease.
