More uses for a lathe

Using a nostepinner is a very easy quick way of producing a centre pull ball of wool, available from
http://handspinner.co.uk/catalogue_winding_skeins_balls.html#winder

Others uses for a lathe

Whilst we are waiting for the plastic parts for the loom, the lathe has been used to make this, it's beautifully balanced and spins very well as the whorl is wider at the outside which improves momentum without adding too much weight

Progress update

The loom is now nearly finished, awaiting arrival of cogs and ties (delivery went astray)

Finishing the sides

Front and back rollers

Cutting and sanding the side pieces

Preparing the sides

Reed support box grooves

Cutting the grooves and sanding with a rotary sander

Making the reed support box

Using a marking guide and drilling the holes

Preparing the wood with a jointer

Using a jointer to give 90 degree angles

Preparing the wood with a thicknesser

Using a thicknesser to clean up the wood and give two parallel sides, photos are before and after

Beginnings

We bought the Ashford 32" rigid heddle, which is wonderful for making rugs but quite large for scarves and table mats. My husband was keen to try making one, so having bought a reed for the 16" loom here's how we did it.


We bought the wood from Boddy's

http://www.john-boddys-fwts.co.uk/

£24 for enough ash to build loom and stand - plus petrol for 3 hour round trip!! We chose ash because the colour matches the reed (Ashford 16"), bought from Shiela, who encouraged us to write this blog

http://handspinner.co.uk/index.html

The plastic parts (cogs plus ties) were bought from Frank Herring

http://www.cylex-uk.co.uk/company/?
frank-herring---sons-13793142.html