Countermarch, horizontal, range of sizes

How do I choose which Countermarch to use, Horizontal or Vertical?

This is a common and legitimate question. Below are some guidelines designed to help you make a decision. One is not "better" than the other, they are just simply two different systems, each with their own idiosyncrasies.

Horizontal countermarch:

• A bit less expensive
• A bit easier to tie up
• The shedding action is springier, i.e. there is more resistance to the treadles. The shed snaps closed upon release of the treadle.
• The cords to the long lamms go down through the middle of your warp
• The hanger cords easily slip onto the and of the shaft bars

Vertical countermarch:

• A bit more expensive
• A bit more involved to tie up, i.e. you might need to stand on your bench to sort out the cords up top, and make sure they are in their proper places in the pulleys.
• The attachment points for the hanger cords are further away from the end of the stick. This actually gives the shaft bar more evenly distributed support, but requires the next steps to make the attachment.
• The cords to the long lamms go down the outside of the loom, avoiding any contact to the warp threads.
• Shedding action feels a bit squishier, i.e. there is less resistance to the treadles and the shed stays open more easily with less pressure on the treadle.

Do I need to worry about which one can be used with a drawloom attachment?
You can use either countermarch system with our drawlooms. If you put a drawloom attachment on a 120 cm loom or wider, the countermarch jacks need to be replaced with shorter ones. Just let us know that this is what you would like to do.