General - Friction Drum Brake does not release

We have found that certain climates can cause the holes in the wooden supports that hold the cloth and warp beams to either dry out or swell.

The solution is to disassemble the beam completely and inspect the parts of the beam where they fit into the holes of the beam supports. Check both the beam and the wooden supports for visible wear. Lightly sanding the worn wooden areas is recommended.

There is no permanent factory solution for this. The tolerances in our looms are tight, and climate can affect the wood, although this is not common.

If you are having trouble releasing the friction brake on your David, Spring, Delta, Octado or Megado, check the following:

First, inspect the brake cable. Does it cross over itself anywhere along its path? If so, remove the cable and re-string it so it runs smoothly on the drum without crossing.

Check for kinks, bends, or fraying in the cable. If present, the cable may need to be replaced.

Next, remove the cable and use fine sandpaper to smooth the surface of the drum. After extended use, the drum can become grooved or worn, and sanding often resolves the issue.

If the brake cable frequently crosses, try not lifting the brake handle (or pressing the pedal) more than necessary when releasing tension. Excess movement introduces slack, allowing the cable to reposition and cross. Only release the brake enough to free the warp beam.

If the problem persists, disconnect the brake cable and check whether the warp beam turns freely. If not, disassemble the warp beam and clean the area where the shaft fits into the side frame using a lint-free cloth. You may need to smooth the wooden hole with fine sandpaper. If lubrication is required, use only dry Teflon (PTFE) spray.

Replacement brake cables : 

David I & II / Spring I - WR0222

Delta - WR01376

Octado - WR0322

Megado - WR0137