Table loom

Hi Leslie,

I don't think I have ever seen any one place with a review of table looms.  It is a good question.  People buy them for a variety of reasons, some for space issues and others to take to workshops.  I have used two different table looms extensively, both borrowed, and prefer a floor loom.  In terms of price, there isn't a great savings.  I guess the real question is, are you buying the loom used and that's why you have become interested in it (it's too good a deal to pass up) or are you buying it new.  What are your expectations?  Why a table loom instead of a floor loom? 

I have only attended three workshops where people brought their own looms and it was a good opportunity to try different looms, mostly table.  For myself, I have had several hand surgeries and to weave anything of any length and use my hands as much as you need to with a table loom is very difficult.  I guess that's why I have borrowed them from friends and never bought one.

Sorry I couldn't help more. 

Claudia

Hi Leslie

I've woven on many different table looms at workshops.  A few years ago I bought an Ashford 8 shaft tableloom because of the way it weaves and its ability to fold flat enough for suitcase travel while fully warped.  It has an overhead beater. front levers, and texsolv heddles and cords.  I have the 16" model but it also is available at 24" and 32".  The 16' model is very lightweight.  The only drawbacks I've found (and this is true of some other table looms as well) are difficulty in moving heddles from one shaft to another, and slightly fidgity cloth and warp beam locks.  But this is an older model and I think they may have solved this problem.  There is also a folding loom table, and for the 4-shaft loom a treadle system.

I'd highly recommend the Ashford over the heavier Mountain Loom and Schacht, and certainly over any of the side lever looms.  On the other hand, if you're planning to do a lot of at-home weaving on it and have the space, I'd go for one of the workshop floor looms.  Table looms do slow you down a great deal.

Usual disclaimers - no interest in the company, just a satisfied customer.

Lois S

 Hi Leslie,

Welcome to weaving!

There are lots of table looms so you will find one to fit your needs. 

Some things to consider:

Will you use it to take to workshops or classes? If so, a folding loom might be nice.

How wide do you want to weave on it?

Does it have or can you get different dent reeds for it?

Can you get extra heddles of the right size for it if you need them?

Does it have a reasonable shed? Can you use even a small boat shuttle? It will speed up weaving over using a stick shuttle.

If you have a weaving guild or classes near you, see if you can try out different ones. It really helps to put your hands on a few before you buy one.

Here's a link that might help. Although she is talking about floor looms, the sellers at the bottom of the page also carry table looms. Check out the rest of the site too if you aren't familiar with the Handweavers Guild of America.

http://www.weavespindye.org/html/rfts-wtr01.html

I hope this helps. Happy weaving!

Carie

 Thanks Lois,

Your response is greatly appreciated!  I do have a floor loom - a 48 inch Glimarkra.  I have heard though for small projects - scarves, kitchen towels, etc. it is nice to have a table loom.  I guess I don't need one (maybe I just want another toy).  I also have been reading the reviews on Ashford.  I was considering a 24 inch 8 harness.  One more question.  Does it "walk" around the table when you beat in the fabric?  I too don't want a heavy clunker. I know there is a Schact 8 harness loom on kbbspin.org, but I really don't want something that heavy.  I have also studied the Jane, but I would have concerns with the lightness of that product.  Would it stay put? Anyway, thanks for your time.

Leslie

Some 'table' (lever) looms come with stands.  I have a Woolhouse Tools lever loom and the stand doesn't have to be attached to the loom so it is easy to lift it off in order to travel.  http://woolhousetools.com

Just a happy customer.

Cheers,

Laura

I think we all have a special "toy" acquisition gene 8^)  

I haven't found any reason to "beat" the fabric.  Don't do it on my floor loom either.  What I try to do is balance the tension of the warp (taut but not rigid hard) so that I can lay the weft in with just a tap or press of the beater on a closing shed or new shed depending on the warp. 

If you have the loom table, the small rubber feet fit into cutouts on the table, so the loom doesn't slide if you do "beat".   And the rubber feet also will help on a flat table.  One thing I have used with other table looms is a piece of  anti-slide fabric (sort of rubbery) that is sold to line drawers and shelves.  I also use that to wrap the seat on my slippery rocking bench to keep from sliding off.

Lois

 Hi, I am an infant weaver, and I only have one loom, it is the Schact Table Loom. It is true it does not fold for easy travel, but I have taken it back to the store of purchase for lessons (warped) It traveled well enough if you aren't going to take with with you frequently, but the occasionally weave-in or something it is doable. It is a four harness loom and so far I have enjoyed it very much. The only other looms I have had any experience with are floor looms, so I am probably biased. But this table loom is versitile for just about any smaller project. I've easily made mug mats, getting ready to warp it for a scarf and then some table linens. I have not help inhibited by it yet. But I'm sure the day will come when I need to upgrade to a floor loom. 

Good luck in your search!

Milly

You might want to look at table looms with overhead beaters, sliding beaters or swinging beaters to get proper sampling for your floor loom.

Louet Kombo and the Ashford table looms have hanging beaters.

Leclerc Voyageur and I think Mountain looms - perhaps Woolhouse - offer swinging beaters.

We make a little sampling loom with sliding beater - much like the Louet Klik.

The Glimakra Victoria is a very sturdy table loom that produces very nice fabric and would also be a good match for your existing Glimakra floor loom.

 Hi again,

I think I have narrowed my choices down to two - Ashford 24 inch 8 harness or LeClerc Voyager 24 inch 8 harness.  Can anyone give me a subjective comparison of these two?  I live in Minot, ND. There are no weaving groups or stores even close to me so I rely on folks like you to help me.

Thanks again for all of your time.

Leslie

Hi Leslie,

That is exactly why we wanted to create Weavolution.  For weavers like you who do not have easy access to other weavers except online.

Thank you for being here.  I hope you find it helpful and that you'll make full use of everything on our website.

Please keep in mind, we are still in beta and some things are in process.  We are working hard to fix the yarns and stash functions and hoping to add a few other things quite soon.

Thanks for Joining the Weavolution.

Claudia, co-founder Weavolution

 I know only the Ashford 24" loom. I like it - does a nice job of making cloth. The hanging beater with elastic bungees is nice to use and allows a decent rhythm when weaving. The operating levers are located at the front in a convenient location and allow for easy shaft changes. With just 4 shafts, I can operate the levers with one hand and throw the shuttle with the other nearly as quickly as with a floor loom. Warping and sleying the loom are relatively easy - the beater comes off easily to allow free access to the shafts. The beater supports are high enough that I can hang the reed for sleying the same as I would on my CM floor looms.

Haven't anything negative to report on the loom.

Take a look on the For Sale or Trade forum, there are two Jane looms there.  Here may be your opportunity to get a nice table loom from a reputable seller.

Claudia

 Thanks for all the comments!  Does anyone know about the Voyeuger Leclerc 24 inch 8 harness?

Leslie

 Sara I have a friend who has a 16 inch LeClerc Voyeuger.  She loves hers too.  She said I needed a second back beam.  I don't know what to use that for?  Can you shed some light?

Leslie

 I have only been weaving for a couple of years.  I love Handwoven and have subscribed to VAV.  It is really fascinating, but I have so many questions.  What a wonderful website to get those answers. Everyone has been so helpful already!

Thanks for creating such a wonderful website for those of us who are addicted.

Leslie

 I'm not sure why a second back beam would be recommended.

They are normally used for supplemental warps and mixed warps that have different takeup rates.

On a small table loom, it is usually sufficient to take care of these needs by beaming that second warp and hanging it over the back beam with a separate pair of lease sticks and weights.

I just looked at the Leclerc site and don't see an option for another beam - the only reason that I can think of is that your friend is describing a back beam extension that makes the loom longer than 21" which would make weaving on a shallow loom easier.

I have the Voyageur 8H, and have enjoyed it.  In principle it can be taken on a plane, but it is too heavy to carry on realistically.  Best bet would be to have UPS box it up for you so you can check it through if you need to travel with it.  Or find a humongeous suitcase on Craigslist or Freecycle.

It has held up well to the enthusiastic beating of my grandsons.  Only fault I can find is the crank handles slip somewhat when you are tightening the warp--I use my hands for the last couple of clicks.

If I were buying now, I'd get a table loom with the stand/treadle option.  Not sure if the voyageur has this now; when I bought it they didn't.

You are welcome Leslie.  And thank you for Joining the Weavolution.  Your enthusiasm is contagious.

Claudia, Weavolution co-founder

 Wondering if you made a table loom decision...

Kurt

Hi Laura.  I remembered this thread and came back to it because I'm thinking about switching back to a table loom as my workshop loom.  Which Woolhouse Tools loom do you have?  I want a loom that I can in our RV when we travel and my Baby Mac is just too big and too heavy.  I was thinking about getting 16 shafts so I can weave the same patterns as on my AVL, but wonder about the weight.  I see that the smaller ones have levers on the top while the bigger ones (wider width) have the front levers, which I think would be better.  I'd like to hear more about your Woolhouse Tools loom.

Hi Tina,

I have the 24 shaft Margaret.  It's heavy - not exactly portable - certainly not by one person.  The 16 shaft would be lighter weight, but check the weight before you buy............

I've woven everything from rayon chenille to 140/2 silk on it.  It has a fairly long stretch from back to front which helps, but again, makes it more awkward to move easily.

Cheers,

Laura

Thanks Laura.  I think 24 shafts is more than I want (well, not really, but it is for portability purposes).  In the RV, I also have to worry about size to see where I could store it.

Tina, the Louet Magic Dobby loom has been a good fit for some weavers with an RV or small cabin. It is also a good workshop loom with either dobby bars and pegs or computer assist. The Ashford 16-shaft table loom is nice, too. If you do not have a chance to try a table loom in person, you can get measurements to see if your hand might fit on two or three levers at a time.

The Magic Dobby is out of my price range right now, although I admit it would be great.  I had an Ashford 8 shaft before, and it was a nice loom, but I want to look at other brands too.  I've been looking at Woolhouse Tools and Purrington.  And if I decide to go with 8 shafts I'll include the Louet Jane too.

After much deliberation and self-analysis of my current and anticipated weaving preferences (wild guesses all !), I decided to get a 25" 4-harness Montana Looms cherry table loom with the treadle stand. It will be light enough that I won't have to lie to my doc about how much I'm lifting, and I think it will handle the lighter types of weaving (mostly wool) that I enjoy while not crowding me out of my cramped apartment.  I hope to have this new member of my loom family in October.

So, after looking at all those looms with girls' names and the Louet David, I guess I'll have to name this new child myself.  That's a good thing.  (A most curious thing, these loom marketing names. Everything from Dorothy to Mighty Wolf.)

Thanks to those who have replied to my messages asking questions about their looms.

Kurt

I cannot recommend Northwest Looms highly enough!  I have three of the "Frieda" looms (haven't tried the Pioneer) and they are,hands-down, my favourite sampling looms.  8 shafts are standard....he even builds the shipping box!  The price difference between these and the "big" manufacturers is huge, shipping is reasonable, and, well, they are just wonderful little looms...a joy to use and lovely to look at!

I'd say go for ANYTHING Tony makes!

Nancy C.

Just FYI on the "walking" issue.  There is a rubberized stuff they sell on rolls in the kitchen-supplies area of places like Walmart...looks like it has little bubbles all over it...they sell it as lining for drawers and shelves.  Anyway, I use it under the table looms I have for the art campers and any other table loom I'm using, and it stops that dead!  Next time I'm in "Wallie's" I will have a look and see what the brand-name is.  It's also great under bobbin-winder or anything you want to cushion.

The NW looms don't present that much of a problem, although I am just in the habit of slapping this stuff under them...saves wear and tear on any table-surface as well.

Nancy C.

 OK, Nancy, I'll bite. Why do you have three Frieda looms? Three? Do you have six or more hands? <g>

Kurt

I teach.....they are looms I use for my students, and, in between classes, I will may have a couple of different "experimental" warps set up to play with.

 Lucky students!  I have a Montana Loom on order, but I just might be tempted to add a little Frieda later. Scott at Montana Looms is also great to work with.

Kurt

I found it very interesting that this guy in Nevada, who builds the looms by hand, one at a time, keeps his prices so far UNDER the biggie, production-line looms from places like Leclerc.

Anyway, it's wonderful to have a loom that is a pleasure in terms of it's own workmanship as well as use.

Nancy C.

Same with Montana Looms, but not quite as low-priced as Northwest Looms.  I originally thought I would get the Louet Jane, but then I realized I could get a bigger loom, treadle stand, and part of a bench at Montana Looms for the same amount as the small Jane loom alone. I was concerned at first that I wouldn't like the 'sideways' toggles on top, instead of front-mounted, but then I started looking at weaving drafts and realized my brain and hands might connect the draft tie-up to the loom better if the toggles were in the same configuration as the harnesses, front to back. This is just a theory, since I haven't woven with anything more than 2 harnesses so far.

I also looked at the Saori 2-harness floor looms from Japan. Got over that pretty quickly after I found a price list. The Glimakra Julia isn't much more than half the price of the Saori (not that these are exactly apples-to-apples looms, but they're both 2-harness floor looms).

My guess is that a lot of the price difference goes to pay for the big companies' advertising. The small businesses are getting enough business from word-of-mouth (word-of-internet?) to zip merrily along without a massive advertising budget.

Kurt

Hi Nancy, 

I'm new here and brand new to multi shaft weaving. Yesterday I ordered a 20", 12 harness Pioneer table loom from Tony. He doesn't have one in stock, but is crafting one for me and it should be ready in about a month. I'm so excited I can hardly stand it! I'm particularly interested in twills and double-weave. If it hadn't been for you and this forum, I wouldn't have known about Tony and Northwest looms. Thank you so very much! :-) 

Weave On, 

Denyse in NC 

Those are awesome looms, Laura!  Wish I had a good excuse to buy one or that I had seen them a while ago!  The prices are certainly right, as well!

Oh well, who knows!!  Maybe I can talk myself into one someday!   I have a reall "oddball" metal Structo that is 16 shafts and obviously manufactured that way, since the frame is longer than the classic Structos.   It's fun to use and very portable, although a tad heavy, obviously.  One of these days I might replace the metal heddles with tex-solvs.

cheers

Ashford or Jane? I'm looking for a small table loom for workshops-- both the Ashford and the Jane look nice. I really want texsolv heddle and my big loom is a Glimåkra-- I like the feel of that loom.  The Ashford seems like a good bet, but I also see Louet Jane and wonder if anyone has anything to say about that one.. thanks

marie

  Hi Marie,

 Louet Kombo is the Loom Modell before Jane and was my first Loom. I liked him very much, and did my first weaving experiences.  Parallel I worked at weaving Class on Glimakra Victoria . Both Looms brought me a good feeling and understanding for drafts , because you have to lift every Shaft  seperate. My first Rosepath was a great  exercise in concentration.  I like very much the clear design of Louet and their functionality. The Looms and the spinning wheels are well made and live long. Good thing - it is easy to add a second warp beam.  And funny  thing was the   raddle on the top of the "castle?? Harness??  :O)? I´m not sure how to call, but I think you know what I mean ;O)

Actually I´m looking for Louet Klik .

 Greets!

Kristina

Thanks that helps. I"m really wanting something SMALL-- I don't anticipate using this loom more than  once or twice a year. But crappy looms are so hard to work on!

marie

ps I think you mean Castle  :)

I've been looking into an 8-shaft little loom for making slightly more complex patterned tapes. One of the looms I'm considering is the Northwest Freida -- but I've never seen one in person. Could you describe for me how the harnesses are lifted? The Web site says "a simple cam" but this doesn't mean much to me. Are there springs inside to help raise the harness, the way there are on the Montana table looms? Thanks for your comments -- it helps so much to hear from weavers who use the tools!

Lauren

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Hello,

I'm fairly new to weaving, and Sara von Tresckow I'm not sure I understand your reponse. How can you beam the secondary warp without a warp beam? What will it be wound on? You can't just throw it off the back, it will need tension. You mention a second set of lease sticks, and I'm trying to envision what to do. Can anyone clarify?

Thanks so much!

Claudia

I'm not Sara, but I've woven with supplemental warp several times without a warp beam.  I just hang it off the back and weight it separately.  My supplemental warps haven't been all that many threads, though.

Well, hello again Tina! Nice to see you over here.

So how do you weight it? Just tie a few strands together and put a weight on each bunch? Only like this I can't quite envision how you keep it spread.

you will have a loop at the end of your warp chain bunch  that you can suspend a stick thru, you weigh the stick or use a heavy stick....

not sure how much mileage you have on a loom so not sure of detail you need to describe it to you

I have owned and used these table looms: Leclerc, Schacht, Woolhouse, Montana and Ashford.  The best one, in my opinion, is the Montana made in Missoula, Montana.  It weaves very well, you can beat hard, you can achieve tight and uniform tension, it is reliable and easy to use.  If you want something lighter weight to lug to workshops, simply get a narrower width.  I have the 25" weaving width, but Montana makes them in narrower widths. The loom is collapsible, and I easily take mine to workshops.   I have no connection to Montana Looms.

I put a slip knot in it and hang a weight off of that.  I try to keep each group no more than 4" wide.  It doesn't seem to cause a problem that way.

Thanks everyone for all the tips for this newbie! Truly appreciate it!

Adding shafts to my 4S varpa is seeming impractical, so I am looking around for a table loom with at least 8 shafts. I've tried out a Louet Jane and was impressed, but am also considering the Ashford 24" 16 shaft table loom.  I'm wondering how well the Ashford will function when using only 8 shafts.  Is it like a four shaft floor loom, where you would want to distribute the heddles among all the shafts for plain weave? How well does the loom function if extra shafts are removed?

I have been considering starting to weave. (Actually, I have already started to weave with Northwest Looms' Inkle Looms, which are beautiful works of art in themselves.)

I came across this comment, and it appears that the author "cannot recommend Northwest"! Reading the actual comment indicates otherwise: The Northwest Frieda Looms are highly recommended.

Having seen the workmanship of the Northwest Inkle Loom, I'm convinced that the Frieda Loom will be well-made and beautiful. As a new weaver, I'm wondering how long I will be satisfied with the 18-inch width. Will I soon long for a larger loom?

I wonder if you can change the header on your comment. You would be doing Tony a big favor.

Thanks.

Arlin A