Equipment

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	Karakumidai I have produced a set of plans for a small karakumidai (working top 330mm * 330mm). The document is 28 pages long and contains full plans, construction guidance, and details of possible variants. It is delivered electronically as a PDF file. The document costs Ł6.00 sterling, and I accept payment by PayPal. Alternatively, I'd be happy to make one for you (Ł120 plus postage and packing - currently Ł15 to UK addresses). Contact steve.g.pretty@btinternet.com
	High Takadai I also make Takadai. My first project was a high takadai. Thanks go to Jennie Parry who let me use and measure up her high takadai, which was built for her by Len and Daphne Crisp (who traded as Leanda). The key to building a takadai is access to a router (ideally mounted in a router table). This allows you to quickly and accurately cut the grooves in the 4 arms of the takadai and machine the profiles for the torii, sword pads and koma. I'd be happy to make these for Ł495 plus delivery (price includes a set of 26 koma and hera).
	Small Takadai My second takadai project is a small takadai. Again, this has been based on a dai built by Len and Daphne Crisp and owned by Jennie Parry. It is similar in dimensions to those published by Rodrick Owen, but is 5cm wider between lower rails. The image shows the dai with tall legs, suitable for use sitting in a chair. I have also made shorter legs as would be found in Japanese dai which are worked kneeling. Some users prefer the shorter legs as they allow the assembled dia to be transported in a car. I'd be happy to make these for Ł295 plus delivery (price includes a set of 18 koma and a hera).
	Koma Takadai require sets of koma. These generally have 6 pins. It is possible to increase the number of tama (bobbins) that can be used on a takadai by using 9 pin koma. The photo shows some 9 pin koma I have made. Again, the secret is access to a table mounted router. A pillar drill is required for accurate drilling for the pegs. I am making these for customers at Ł4.50 each when ordered in sets of 18 or more (Ł5 for smaller quantities).
	Tondo, Kowaku and Zaguri What do you do if you want to use silk that comes as a skein? I built the pictured Japanese style equipment to solve the problem. On the right of the picture is the tondo - the skein is mounted onto this. The yarn will be wound onto a kowaku (which means small reel). The kowaku is loaded into the zaguri, which allows it to be turned at speed as yarn runs from the tondo onto the kowaku. The zaguri I built is based on an old hand drill. It's simple - but it works!
	A Chinese Braiding Stand I recently bought a copy of Jacqui Carey's new book "Chinese Braid Embroidery" (available from www.careycompany.com ). Within 2 weeks, I had built the braiding stand shown, made a set of bobbins and made my first length of braid. Braiding on this stand is a very rythmic and enjoyable process.