Somehow I Think Calculus Has An Answer
June 1, 2011 3:29 PM Subscribe
My wife wants an adjustable triangle loom but we can't spend hundreds of dollars to buy one. Luckily we have access to a stack of wood and her father (and the tools/skills that he has). All we need are plans.
She ran across the Spriggs Adjustable Loom online while looking for how to make a triangle loom. It would be great, if it wasn't for the $4-500 we'd have to spend to buy one.
Just from looking at other plans we have figured out the number of nails and spacing on each side and the angles for the corners of the triangle. We have the stand figured out, or at least something that will get the job done and keep it up off a table where lazy cat won't decide it's her new bed.
What we really need is to figure out how to make the thing adjustable. It looks like on the one I linked to earlier that there are definite spots where you have to stop and make only a set number of predetermined sizes as opposed to having a sliding size model with the ability to make any size between the largest and smallest. That seems to be the easiest route and is fine with us. But I do have some specific questions.
1) How do we know where to drill the holes for the connecting part?
2) Our best bet is to notch out 1/2 the wood where they come together so those two parts are as thick as a single piece, right?
Also, from the best I can tell it seems like the two not horizontal sides will slide along the relatively stationary horizontal side to adjust the sizes. Am I right about that?
She ran across the Spriggs Adjustable Loom online while looking for how to make a triangle loom. It would be great, if it wasn't for the $4-500 we'd have to spend to buy one.
Just from looking at other plans we have figured out the number of nails and spacing on each side and the angles for the corners of the triangle. We have the stand figured out, or at least something that will get the job done and keep it up off a table where lazy cat won't decide it's her new bed.
What we really need is to figure out how to make the thing adjustable. It looks like on the one I linked to earlier that there are definite spots where you have to stop and make only a set number of predetermined sizes as opposed to having a sliding size model with the ability to make any size between the largest and smallest. That seems to be the easiest route and is fine with us. But I do have some specific questions.
1) How do we know where to drill the holes for the connecting part?
2) Our best bet is to notch out 1/2 the wood where they come together so those two parts are as thick as a single piece, right?
Also, from the best I can tell it seems like the two not horizontal sides will slide along the relatively stationary horizontal side to adjust the sizes. Am I right about that?
You may be able to find some answers at Ravelry. Yes, it's primarily a knitting site, and yes, you have to register -- but there are plenty of weavers there too, and registration is free and worth it.
I'm a weaver as well, but I've never used a tri-loom.
posted by liet at 8:47 PM on June 1, 2011
I'm a weaver as well, but I've never used a tri-loom.
posted by liet at 8:47 PM on June 1, 2011
Best answer: I've never seen or heard of such a loom before reading your post, nor am I particularly knowledgeable about any other types of looms, so please take my comments as those of entirely ignorant party whose interest was roused by your question.
I found this PDF, and the same fellow's ebay listing for a 7' adjustable loom states that the loom is adjustable to 2', 2.5' 3', 3.5', 4', 4.5', 5', 5.5', 6', 6.5' and 7'. These lengths, according to his ebay description, are of the hypotenuse of the loom.
Since triangle looms are always right triangles with 2 45 degree angles making up the other ends, and the hypotenuse is always topmost, for a 7' loom (that is, a loom whose hypotenuse is 7'), the 2 shorter pieces should be 4.95' in length. I worked out the lengths of the shorter pieces for all of the loom hypotenuses he listed:
Top, 2 Shorter Pieces
7, 4.95
6.5, 4.6
6, 4.24
5.5, 3.89
5, 3.54
4.5, 3.18
4, 2.83
3.5, 2.47
3, 2.12
2.5, 1.77
2, 1.41
So if you want a 7' loom, the longest piece should be 7', with the shorter pieces being 4.95' each.
Looking at the pics in the patent linked above, it seems that the adjustment holes are on the end of the triangle side which is routed on the top, so I would drill the "furthest" adjustment hole 7' from the adjustment hole on the other end (whose bottom is routed out), then half a foot inwards for the 6.5' length, then another half foot, etc., etc. Similar process for the 2 shorter sides, only those distances would be 4.95' initially, and then 4.6', then 4.24', etc., etc. Does that make any sense? I don't know if I am explaining myself clearly.
As for connecting the sides, the patent pic looks like half lap joints, so that all three sides of the loom are in the same plane. Also, I think that that patent shows all three sides of the triangle moving in relation to the other -one end of each side has its top routed out, while the other has its bottom routed.
Here is another page I found with a simpler adjustment method, where smaller hypotenuses are inserted into the "tip" of the triangle, making a for a smaller loom - there are more pieces to store, but no moving pieces to contend with.
Good luck with your interesting project!
posted by that possible maker of pork sausages at 11:16 PM on June 1, 2011
I found this PDF, and the same fellow's ebay listing for a 7' adjustable loom states that the loom is adjustable to 2', 2.5' 3', 3.5', 4', 4.5', 5', 5.5', 6', 6.5' and 7'. These lengths, according to his ebay description, are of the hypotenuse of the loom.
Since triangle looms are always right triangles with 2 45 degree angles making up the other ends, and the hypotenuse is always topmost, for a 7' loom (that is, a loom whose hypotenuse is 7'), the 2 shorter pieces should be 4.95' in length. I worked out the lengths of the shorter pieces for all of the loom hypotenuses he listed:
Top, 2 Shorter Pieces
7, 4.95
6.5, 4.6
6, 4.24
5.5, 3.89
5, 3.54
4.5, 3.18
4, 2.83
3.5, 2.47
3, 2.12
2.5, 1.77
2, 1.41
So if you want a 7' loom, the longest piece should be 7', with the shorter pieces being 4.95' each.
Looking at the pics in the patent linked above, it seems that the adjustment holes are on the end of the triangle side which is routed on the top, so I would drill the "furthest" adjustment hole 7' from the adjustment hole on the other end (whose bottom is routed out), then half a foot inwards for the 6.5' length, then another half foot, etc., etc. Similar process for the 2 shorter sides, only those distances would be 4.95' initially, and then 4.6', then 4.24', etc., etc. Does that make any sense? I don't know if I am explaining myself clearly.
As for connecting the sides, the patent pic looks like half lap joints, so that all three sides of the loom are in the same plane. Also, I think that that patent shows all three sides of the triangle moving in relation to the other -one end of each side has its top routed out, while the other has its bottom routed.
Here is another page I found with a simpler adjustment method, where smaller hypotenuses are inserted into the "tip" of the triangle, making a for a smaller loom - there are more pieces to store, but no moving pieces to contend with.
Good luck with your interesting project!
posted by that possible maker of pork sausages at 11:16 PM on June 1, 2011
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posted by Floydd at 6:36 PM on June 1, 2011