New project, we'll see how it unfolds.

[SwampDonkey]

Will this break down into smaller assemblies for transport?

Yes, the side halves are secured by the breast beam (dovetailed) and 2 weave beams with shouldered tenons that all lift out and 3 cross members with pegged through tenons that you tap into place securely. The side halves will be glued mortise and tenons at all the joints: 6' tall, 5' long. Both beams will be held also by a wheel and ratchet assembly with pegged through tenons. Take the pegs out and wheels off and the beams will slide out once the pins in the cross members are tapped out. The bridge (not shown) on the top of the tower holds the vertical jacks, pulley system and heddle harnesses. There will be three sets of 8 pulleys and 8 jacks. There are also 2 sets of 8 lams (upper and lower).

Today I rounded the corners on the cloth beam and rough sanded with 120 grit for now. I also used the drill press and bored 2" wide shaft holes in the ends of the cloth beam, 3" deep, to glue on the shafts. I will turn them tomorrow.

[Warbird]

Amazing work, SD.  Are you selling this piece, building it for yourself, a friend, or what?  I'd love to build something like that but have not the time nor the skill.

[SwampDonkey]

Amazing work, SD.  Are you selling this piece, building it for yourself, a friend, or what?  I'd love to build something like that but have not the time nor the skill.

If someone comes along with the appropriate number of bills I suppose they could free it from my possession. ;)

[SwampDonkey]

Testing the fit. ;D

[WDH]

Wow, she is going to really like that!

[isawlogs]

Yup .. but big question is " who is da SHE "    eh eh    ;D   :D

[Norm]

First raider bill and now SD....boy they're dropping like flies around  here.  :D

[Warbird]

Actually, Dodgy Loner was the first to drop. 

[SwampDonkey]

Ratchet wheel.



I left an inch behind the ratchet in case I want to install a brake fashioned from a SS strip and spring wire. I don't think I need one on the cloth beam, but it would come in handy on the warp beam at the back. Using the drill press and a press vise I drilled holes at 20 degrees for the 5 wheel handles. The wheel and ratchet is secured by a pegged through tenon.

[Paul_H]

I think you missed your calling! Very nice work.

[WDH]

That ratchet system with the pegged tenon is especially nice.

[Warbird]

It really is.  I'm eager to see the completed piece.

[sandhills]

It really is.  I'm eager to see the completed piece.

X2.  I would also like to see a video of it working I have never been around one, that really is something.  You do like a challenge don't you  ;).

[SwampDonkey]

Since the hexagon beam went without a hitch, let's try a larger diameter octagon beam for kicks. ;D



This time the wide face of each member is 3" and the shoulders are 67.5° The octagon corners should fit an 8" diameter circle.

[SwampDonkey]

I would also like to see a video of it working I have never been around one, that really is something.

All in due time. 

[SwampDonkey]

Progressing along on the Octagon.

[SwampDonkey]

Final assembly:

[Warbird]

That's really something.

[SwampDonkey]

Well, we are going to have to close the ends of this beam if we want to spin it on a shaft. ;D

2" hard maple plugs.



In their rightful place.



My new drill press will handle boring the shaft holes as it tilts, elevates and swivels in just about any position. Worked just fine boring the 6" hex beam. ;)

[WDH]

Looks like that it closed up just fine!

[jamesamd]

Donk,this is an awsome project to tackle.When do You sleep?
Jim

[SwampDonkey]

If you have a decent router setup you can use birds mouth bits to make even stronger joints. Them bits are $40 bucks for each number of sides you want though. I like cheap better. But I don't have a router setup here that would make an accurate long cut for 5 feet. I have an excellent router, but that's where it ends. :D With the ends plugged the strength issue is pretty near mute. Just my opinion. ;)

Sleep? I haven't slept too sound in years. :D

[Burlkraft]

Sleep? I haven't slept too sound in years. :D

He's an alien remember?

[Norm]

No he's single.... ;)

[SwampDonkey]

Ratchet handle on the warp beam.



I swapped the 20 toothed ratchet from the cloth beam to place on the warp beam here. I made a 45 toothed ratchet for the cloth beam where fine tuning is required during weaving.