Going Horizontal 😳

 So this is a product / progress report on the new horizontal warping mill made by Schacht that I mentioned last post.

It sits on the floor and I use a small stool and we happened to have a small folding camp table that I keep my tools and draft on while I work.  The very first warp is all one colour,  and 7 yards long.    I will admit that the new action and hand movements took some getting used to but by the end of the 4 bouts I have a system in place and it went well.  I will get faster in time.

The wheel rotates very smoothly and I didn't experience any 'motion issues' at all. That seems to be a concern by some weavers.   That said, I also didn't experience motion issues on the vertical mill either!

The mill apparently folds up but I am leaving it set up where it is as I have the room for it.     I like it enough to list my other vertical mill for sale and hope to find it a new home soon. 

The key issue was shoulder irritation and after winding my first warp, my shoulders felt just fine as there was no up and down motion.   So adapting and adjusting to the new situation is how to stay in the game as I don't want to give up weaving!

The bare wheel

Here after I wound a warp bout, my husband Bruce sat down to give the mill a whirl.

He was impressed!

I have no idea what I said but he broke into a big laugh and huge smile.

I call him my "patron of the arts". Buying the new mill was his idea!  I suspect he was tired of my complaining about my arms and shoulders. 

So here's the set up for when I'm winding. I do like to have 2-3 warps all prepared well ahead.  Then I can choose what appeals to me.     The table folds flat and gets stored.

This is the old Woolhouse Tools vertical mill.... together....

.... and broken down for storage.   If you live in Canada (sorry, no USA)  and are interested in buying it, send me a note to emmatrude at gmail dot com.    Its $150.00  Shipping is extra based on a postage quote.

... and it is stored here.... Hopefully not for long!