Hi!
I recently purchased a 33" Sabina Folding Loom built in 1943. It is a 4 shaft counterbalance and will be my first floor loom. (I have had a rigid heddle in the past). It is in good condition and has a sectional warp beam. I am soliciting comments about this loom from anyone who has one or has some knowledge of them. Is it a good loom? Heavy enough to do rag rugs? Any strengths or weaknesses? Any comments are really appreciated.
Thanks and GOD bless you!
Candace
had any luck finding out anyhting about this loom? There is one for sale near me and I am very tempted but can find little or no information regarding the manufacturer. . Thanks
Tina
Hi Tina
I have learned a LOT about these looms since I made the above post over a year ago and I wouldn't recommend getting one. It has what can be considered a major design flaw: the warp beam ratchet brake is in the MIDDLE of the warp beam and not on the side as with most other designs. Most of the Sabina warp beams are sectional beams and if one is ONLY warping sectionally, it doesn't pose too much of a problem although the warp threads in the middle on either side of the ratchet have different tension than the rest because they have to bend around the ratchet. With the ratchet in the middle of the warp beam, it is impossible to use the warp beam as a plain beam. On mine I tried using two apron rods and when that didn't work I was going to replace the original warp beam with a new plain beam and make a new ratchet brake and pawl on the side of the loom. Before I went to all that work and expense, I found a used 8 harness CM loom for a great price and never did make the new plain beam for the Sabina. I am going to put the Sabina up on Craigslist in the next few weeks.
Here is my review and photos on Ralvery:
http://www.ravelry.com/groups/loom-reviews/pages/Sabina-Folding-Loom-Loom-Craft-Studio
I have yet to update the review. The Sabina was originally made to weave rugs, but it really isn't sturdy enough to beat heavy rag rugs. I don't know of any folding loom that is. It is a beautiful little loom, with a great history and it folds. If you ONLY want to do sectional warping and can purchase one REALLY cheap (under $300), it's not a bad loom. Most of the Sabina warp beam ratchets were metal. Mine was wood. Don't get one with a wooden ratchet. They aren't nearly as sturdy as the metal and are wider making the uneven tension issue worse.
Good luck and blessings!
Candace
Hi Tina
I have learned a LOT about these looms since I made the above post over a year ago and I wouldn't recommend getting one. It has what can be considered a major design flaw: the warp beam ratchet brake is in the MIDDLE of the warp beam and not on the side as with most other designs. Most of the Sabina warp beams are sectional beams and if one is ONLY warping sectionally, it doesn't pose too much of a problem although the warp threads in the middle on either side of the ratchet have different tension than the rest because they have to bend around the ratchet. With the ratchet in the middle of the warp beam, it is impossible to use the warp beam as a plain beam. On mine I tried using two apron rods and when that didn't work I was going to replace the original warp beam with a new plain beam and make a new ratchet brake and pawl on the side of the loom. Before I went to all that work and expense, I found a used 8 harness CM loom for a great price and never did make the new plain beam for the Sabina. I am going to put the Sabina up on Craigslist in the next few weeks.
Here is my review and photos on Ralvery:
http://www.ravelry.com/groups/loom-reviews/pages/Sabina-Folding-Loom-Loom-Craft-Studio
I have yet to update the review. The Sabina was originally made to weave rugs, but it really isn't sturdy enough to beat heavy rag rugs. I don't know of any folding loom that is. It is a beautiful little loom, with a great history and it folds. If you ONLY want to do sectional warping and can purchase one REALLY cheap (under $300), it's not a bad loom. Most of the Sabina warp beam ratchets were metal. Mine was wood. Don't get one with a wooden ratchet. They aren't nearly as sturdy as the metal and are wider making the uneven tension issue worse.
Good luck and blessings!
Candace
information. From the pictures posted on the for sale ad it was hard to tell what was what. It looked pretty but lightweight. With the information you have provided I don't thnk it is worth my time to take a nearly 200 mile (one way) trip to take a look at it. Gotta love weavolution's information bank!
