Workshop Dobby Loom User’s Manual
Using the WDL
Threading, Sleying, and Tying On
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the reed. Position the reed for sleying in whatever manner works best for
you.
Combing onto the Cloth Beam/Sandpaper Beam (16” or 24” WDL)
Note:
If you are using the Cloth Storage Beam on the 24” WDL, move on to the next
section.
Take a group of ends about 3” wide with one hand and use the other hand to
comb them “flat”. This can be done using a common hair comb. Starting at
the reed, gently comb the yarn toward the ends until the yarn is flat and
spread out. Now gently pull with the other hand to give it a little tension and
lay it over the abrasive surface of the cloth beam with the ends hanging
down. Repeat this procedure all the way across the warp. Now that you have
nice even tension, you can wrap the ends around the bottom of the cloth
beam.
Figure 54 - Wrapping Warp around the Cloth Beam
If you find that you are having trouble with this method, a thin stick, an
aluminum blind slat or something similar can be used as an aid. Place the
stick across the top of the beam and slide it around the in the direction of
the loose warp ends, clockwise if viewed from the left side of the loom, until
the stick has reached the underside of the warp where the warp first touches
the Cloth Beam. Check that this action has not distorted your even warp
tension. If it has, repeat the step. While continuing to hold the stick, rotate
the Cloth Beam to wind on the warp and trap the stick under the warp.