Discover the engineering behind Mason looms and their take-up and gear systems that powered heavy weaving.
This book presents a practical view of loom mechanics from the Mason Machine Works, including take-up motions, friction and bevel gear arrangements, and the detailed instructions used to set up and operate looms for a wide range of fabrics. Readers will encounter the era’s approach to machine design, with real examples of how gear ratios, friction control, and shuttle handling affected performance on the factory floor.
Structured for quick reference, the pages cover how to size and adjust components, estimate fabric output, and interpret the specification tables that guided loom production. It offers a window into how complex textile machinery was built, adjusted, and maintained during a pivotal period in industrial weaving.
- How let-off and take-up motions regulate a uniform pick and cloth width.
- Methods for calculating gear teeth to achieve desired picks per inch.
- Varieties of looms, from heavy pick and pick to standard and dobby-driven designs.
- Practical specifications and setup considerations for harness motions, selvage, and take-up gear systems.
Ideal for readers of industrial history, textile technology, and archival reference alike.