August, 14th

Here is my “ ‘ro bébé” (sorry, can’t be translated, or perhaps “ ‘ig baby” ?)

I bought it a few days ago, used, but in great condition : it only needs being re-furbished, which I’ll do…AFTER I’ll have spun my first twill scarf on it ! :))
It took me nearly 3 hours to warp it with 72 ends…pfff…My back protests and now I’m wondering if this wool isn’t too thick for the reed : so clever ! (note for myself : learning “yarn metrics for super-dummies”)

’Ro bébé is a “Wevitt” table loom with a stand, and I think it’s scandivian, but I’m not sure.

4 shafts (lifted by hand)
70cm wide (for a fabric 60cm)
12 dents reed

August, 16th
Today, I decided to try to improve ro’bébé by making a lever system for the shafts.
I used an old plank to build a “castle” and replaced the original sides that hold the shafts by some others of my own.
A fellow weaver gave me good advice about an ingenious repartition of cables to lift the shafts, and it’s ugly, but it works ! Not finished yet, but I’m going to make it again, “for true” this time, using a lovely wood !

August, 20th
New modifications to my ro’bébé : I found a far better system for the lifting of the shafts, using small pulleys.
I only had 2 pulleys, that’s why the 2 first shafts are not tied for the moment : I’ll soon buy 2 other to achieve the job.
I’m very happy because it works really well.
Iron rings and small wood handles allow to pull the thin rope and 4 nails make them stay in place.
About the beater, after studying several possibilities, I could choose none of them, so I finally find a simple way to suspend it (see picture 9), and I’m waiting for a genial idea to hit my brain ! lol

August, 23th
Last (before…hemmm, who knows ? Another idea !?) modification : I wasn’t able to find 2 more small pulleys (the two first ones are 25mm diameter and come from an old Erka knitting machine), so I made some using two pieces of copper pipe (1 cm long and 14mm diameter, I think) I ask the plumber to cut for me ! He was puzzled and of course he ask what I intended to do with such short pieces ! See last photo for the final step !
And it works fine, I’m very happy know !
The last thing will be to replace the cords by some stronger.