Hello!

I've moved from a Schacht mighty wolf jack loom to the Spring ii. I LOVE it, but am having trouble with the warp tension on the right side of the warp. I've got my second warp on the loom since getting it -- the first was cotton (winter berries dish towels pattern) and the second is linen (canvas weave kit). For both warps, after weaving for a yard or so the right ~20% of the warp threads get very loose. I can fix it by putting a wedge of cardboard under the very right side of the cloth winding onto the cloth beam, but for the life of me I don't know why it is happening. For the first warp, I thought it was just a fluke. But with this second one doing the same thing, there must be something systematic that I'm doing that is causing it. I'm thinking that when I wind on the back beam, maybe I'm somehow winding that side more loosely? I I know it's hard to answer these questions virtually. But I would love any thoughts on what specifically I'm doing incorrectly. I feel like I'm warping the same way I always have. Thank you!!!

I just saw your question. I can really relate to it. I purchased a David III two months ago. The back beam tie on is driving me crazy. I never had problems with my old Macomber, but I beamed front to back with that. Since buying the David I am doing back to front as recommended. Paper or sticks don't work well. I tried without the second apron rod and the rod bowed.
The current warp of 16/1 linen worked OK until nearing the end. (I had put the warp loops on the second apron rod and lashed on). Then, at the end it all loosened up. I have retied it to one apron rod and might be able to finish the project. It is horrible dealing with this. I am thinking of buying a metal rod instead of the flimsy apron rods supplied by louet. I am beginning to regret the purchase.

It's good to know I'm not alone. I feel that I am surely doing something incorrectly given all the people who are happy with the spring ii! I just cannot for the life of me figure out what I'm doing wrong.

Hey ditto all the above. I just finished a linen (warp) and silk (weft) shawl and found the left side a little looser than the rest. Like you, i just wedged in paper to even things out. When I finished up I examined everything on the cloth beam—everything was fine. It took up on the cloth beam beautifully. On the back beam things were a wee bit looser on the left but the lengths were all the same. And the stick was perfectly straight. If the lengths are the same and the stick is straight, I can’t figure out where the looseness is coming from.

Inquiring minds would love to know!!

Are all of your cords the same length

I think so. I'll check. But would this explain looseness on just one side? Another idea I had was to lash the rod (or in my case the wooden stick) holding the warp to the back beam more securely than I might have. In fact, I wonder if I lashed it at all. I am putting on a new warp now and don't find evidence of a prior one. I wound on by myself last time and the left side would be the side further from me. Maybe I just wasn't as taut on that side. We're talking probably half an inch--no big deal unless you're weaving, right?!

I figured out my issue, after having an instructor watch me weave. When beating with my right hand, I was systematically pulling the beater to the right a bit rather than beating straight-on. This had the effect of tugging on the right warp ends and stretching them out. The Schact has less "give" in the beater to the right and left, and so my asymmetrical movement wasn't having as big an impact on that loom. Hope this helps someone else too.

So helpful! I’m also in the transition from a Mighty Wolf to a Spring II. Appreciate the pointer, thanks.