Weaving loom reeds of different lengths, stored in shelves, Cotton weaving mill, Burnley, Lancashire, England, UK,
A reed is part of a weaving loom, and resembles a comb or a frame with many vertical slits. It is used to separate and space the warp threads, to guide the shuttle's motion across the loom, and to push the weft threads into place. In most floor looms with, the reed is securely held by the beater. Floor looms and mechanized looms both use a beater with a reed, whereas Inkle weaving and tablet weaving do not use reeds. Modern reeds are made by placing flattened strips of wire (made of carbon or stainless steel) between two half round ribs of wood, and binding the whole together with tarred string. Historically, reeds were made of reed or split cane. The split cane was then bound between ribs of wood in the same manner as wire is now. In 1738, John Kay replaced split cane with flattened iron or brass wire, and the change was quickly adopted. To make a reed, wire is flattened to a uniform thickness by passing it between rollers. The flat wire is then straightened, given rounded edges, and filed smooth. The final step is to cut the wire to the correct length and assemble. The tarred cord that binds the reed together is wrapped around each set of wooden ribs and between the dents to hold the ribs together and at the correct spacing. The length of the metal wire varies depending on the type of fabric and the type of loom being used. For a machine-powered cotton loom, the metal wires are commonly inches (89 mm) long. For hand-powered floor looms, around 4 inches (100 mm) is common.
Size: 5282px × 3521px
Location: Queen Street Mill, Harle Syke, Briercliffe, Burnley BB10 2HX
Photo credit: © Tony Smith / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
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