THE "RAFFALOOM" IS FINISHED AND WORKS PERFECTLY...

Post by **Pete R.Oehmen** » Mon Apr 26, 2021 7:37 pm

Well I knew there was a need for these twenty years ago. It took me fifteen years to think about how to duplicate what the Japanese artisans were doing back in the 1930's. I took me Ten years of experimenting with existing looms, from large floor models to small lap looms. None of then fit the needed processing. It took me five years to imagine, sketch and fiddle with materials to make a custom loom. Then it dawned on me that a 3D printer could make my custom parts. It took me one year to learn 3D programming. It took me six months to afford a 3D printer. The biggest worry was to find enough room to set it up. LOL It took me one month to experiment with thread and fencing material. It took me one day to make three feet of Raffia Fencing. I think the results may speak for itself. Robert Fellows will be getting the first fencing on a rarer putz house that I'm refurbishing for him and his wife Sandra. I think the pictures tell the story...

Post by **Pete R.Oehmen** » Mon Apr 26, 2021 7:43 pm

The last picture (above) shows the standard cardboard backing that the Japanese used to stiffened up their fences. The bottom pictures shows that you can control the look of the fence with thread thickness as well as the crepe paper width. The picture of the white house will be getting a raffia fence like it probably had originally.

Post by **Pete R.Oehmen** » Mon Apr 26, 2021 7:50 pm

Here's a picture of an original 1930's Coconut with a raffia fence. I have to clarify that we always thought these fences were made from raffia. After closer inspection with a microscope and experimenting with different materials I found that vintage crepe paper produces the best effect both in looks and function. The making of the bundles was the hardest to master but I did it... TOP SECRET! LOL SO who wants to go into the raffia fence business?