Try #2 - AVL Warping Wheel

This is my 2nd attempt at putting on a warp using the AVL warping wheel. This time it went on smoothly although I still look at it winding on wondering how there could not be tension issues since it's not perfectly flat winding on but kind of rounded. But I guess I need to have faith - the first warp where I caused a problem by not putting the top on the raddle when moving so all the threads fell out turned out ok in the end. After a sample at the beginning of the warp the tension seemed to be wack-a-do so I cut off that sample and tied back on - no issue for the remaining 12 yards. I'm not used to feeling like I don't have perfect tension so it bothers me.

This is what it looks like on the wheel where I start, then go around the wheel, 4 times in this case for 12 yards, then thru the raddle and back around again for the next warp end. You can't see it in this picture but there is a cross maker to the right.

Here I am starting to wind on the second 2" section. I've moved the raddle to the front of the wheel, attached the warp to a cord on the beam and start winding. Bailey is pretty bored with this process.

Here it is from another angle. I wish I could get a picture of the entire wheel in action but I'm backed up against a shelf in this process and there's no room to back up for a picture. At some point I'll take a pictue of the wheel itself. So, one issue I'm having is that as I wind on the wheel on the heavy stand wants to pull forward - I'm putting one foot on it to hold it down while winding....will have to search for a better solution. This is a pretty cool piece of equipment from AVL, I just don't think I've mastered it yet, once I feel more comfortable I'll start putting on longer warps like I've always done winding on the warping board or reel.

So what's going on the loom - an 8/2 rayon slub in a light peach color. I'm not sure I'll like this slub as much as a smooth yarn in the twill variation I'll be weaving but I love the color. I've had great success with other rayon slubs in the past. Still have to thread heddles and reed, after that I'll show the pattern. It's a 32 harness draft I found on Handweaving.net , I turned the draft at which time it became 20 harnesses.