Help, I bought a Bergman countermarch loom off eBay last week for a great price, and am hoping to be able to restore it to its original working order.  It is missing pieces and I will have a better Idea of which after this weekend.  If you or anyone you know has a Margaret Bergman countermarch loom, made in Poulsbo, Washington, i would love to hear from you.

Comments

claudia (not verified)

Hi,

Congrats on the loom! How brave to purchase it and then work on restoring it, I commend you for that.

I don't know anything about the Bergman loom. I do know that if you post some pictures either here with your post or on your profile page it will be extremely helpful and probably easier for people to help you out.

There is a DIY looms and tools group you might want to join on Weavolution here: http://www.weavolution.com/node/3375
Someone in that group might be able to give suggestions about how to replace the missing pieces.

Looking forward to seeing pictures.

Claudia

lkautio (not verified)

Janet Meany has manuals for many older looms.  Check her website.

Laurie Autio

Tabby (not verified)

I've been weaving on a Bergman.  It is in the collection of a loom museum so I tried to make the restoration as true to original as possible.  It's an odd loom but I like weaving on it--I like the sound it makes.  I have the original instructions for warping and tie-up and could probably send pictures.

silver_shell (not verified)

Here is an addition to the Bergman Loom saga.  I was recently given a model number 3G30 loom that was disassembled and stored in a garage.  I cleaned it up and have most of it reassembled but need some help.  I am a pretty new weaver and most of my experience is on a rigid heddle or table loom.  Never on a contra-march loom.  My current problem is I cannot figure out what constitutes the castle and how to assemble the heddles.  Does anyone have a picture of this loom or any information to help me?  I am a pretty good snoop on the net and cannot find anything about this particular loom other than a bit about getting acquainted with the Bergman loom and a little on stringing.  No pictures to use as a guide.  I am afraid I might be missing pieces. Thank you for any help or sites you may be able to provide.  This loom is a real joy to me as I wouldn't be able to purchase one.  It is a labor of love to get it up and working.

Joanne Hall

Hi Silver shell,

Try this:

http://trapunto.wordpress.com/getting-acquainted-with-your-bergman-loom-ca-1969/

Warping:
http://trapunto.wordpress.com/2008/07/01/warping-my-bergman-with-mrs-s-g/
 

Joanne

spsguy (not verified)

I have been weaving with my Bergman for about a year and I very much love it.    The model number for mine is 8B ALB 451, still don't know how to interpret it but I believe it to be one of the last models made as it's not very ornate.  When I got it I was so new to weaving that I was too ignorant to be intimidated by it.  Unless I am working with all 8 harnesses I can get it tied up pretty quick.  One thing I have learned is to do my tieup first then finish dressing the loom.  This way I have easy access to the treadles and lamms from both the front and back.  If I warp first then tieup I don't have as easy access.  And one thing I have found that I don't like, is when using supplemantal warps.  The way the warp wraps around the back beam makes it hard to access the heddles from the back in order to add the supplemental warps.  Other than that I have enjoyed using it.  Mine is 45 inches but would love a smaller one. 

mayceejen09 (not verified)

Thanks, I emailed Janet Meany, and she has no info on Bergman looms, but I have found some other sources.

mayceejen09 (not verified)

My bergman that I got off Craigslist says is its a 3C30.  Is it possible that yours is a C, not a G?

mayceejen09 (not verified)

Thanks, for the info!

mayceejen09 (not verified)

I can totally relate to your blog, since my Bergman is still in pieces, and there is some question about whether it is a countremarch or counterbalance.  The pieces that came with it suggest that is a counterbalance, and I am hoping that what it is. 

Mayceejen09

Jakeknitster (not verified)

 I have just gotten a Bergman loom and it has no heddles.  so I am VERY interested in any information or images that you have been able to find.  My loom has the model number 8A361 stamped into it.  Thanks for any help  you can offer

tommye scanlin

 Joanne Hall had posted earlier info (post #6 of this topic) with links to a couple of blog posts about Bergman looms; here's another:

http://spinninglizzy.wordpress.com/2008/08/09/bergman-delights-and-a-reprieve/

mayceejen09 (not verified)

Almost everything that I have learned has been on line, check the blogs under my first posting, and that will give you some info.  I also was given a copy of the price and model list from 1966 for Bergman looms, and the heddles listed on it were string, so I recommend the texsolv heddles.  I also found info at trupunto.wordpress.com.  I also was given an article on Historic Looms of America by someone at 1062 Sterling Road, Sedro Woolley, Wa 98284.  I also recommend getting getting ahold of the Kitsap Weavers Guild, and the Nordic Heritage Museum in Seattle, Wa.  The museum has the original Bergman loom, and lots of info.

Hope this helps!

Mayceejen

Joanne Hall

I would recommend that you get 10 1/2 inch Texsolv heddles.  That is the size of the hand tied heddles that were on Glimakra looms in the 70s before Texsolv heddles were available.  Longer than that would mean that you would have less space for your lamms to move.  Even the 9 1/2 size would be good.  That size is used on some other floor looms.

You can read more about Texsolv heddles at:

http://glimakrausa.com/products-texsolv.html

Joanne

silver_shell (not verified)

YES!  It very well could be 3C30.  It is a little worn.  Thanks to everyone who has been helping with my adventure.  I have gone to all of the suggested sites and am closer to understanding the Bergman.  Warping is another story.  Rigid heddle to Bergman is a big leap.  I know the instructions posted by link here will be a big help.  My guild came to see the loom and several of the members are going to try to help me get set up.  We aren't positive yet that all the pieces are here so if anyone does have a picture I would be ever so grateful. I'll get this loom set up yet and then I will post pictures to help someone else along the way too.   

 

silver_shell (not verified)

Jakeknitster, I have original string heddles on my loom.  It appears my loom is a model 3C30 so I don't know if it will help you.  Mine measure 8 inches long.

Jakeknitster (not verified)

 Silver shell,

Thanks for the information.  I am much chagrined.  I thought I had no heddles.  I'm coming from a Nilus Leclerc background.  I didn't see any metal heddles.  I had seen a bag full of "thread left over from some old project".  Have you caught on to where my mistake was happening?

When I finally got the opportunity to clean the loom, I emptied out the bag of "scrap yarn", I found that it was full of string heddles.  Next step is going to be reading some of the posts you guys have mentioned and learn how to put the heddles on the loom.  This is a really fun puzzle.  And like someone else mentioned, I'm still not sure I have all the parts.  Will continue this saga later.  :)

Joanne Hall

Hi Jakeknitster,

Perhaps you might want to get a copy of my book, Tying up the Countermarch Loom.  It would help you with the heddles and the countermarch.  Check out our website glimakrausa.com   And, I have some basic tie-up instructions there. 

Joanne

Jakeknitster (not verified)

 Joanne,

Thank you.  I'll check it out.

 

Ellen

Beth P. (not verified)

Does anybody know how to interpret the numbers stamped on the Bergman looms?

 

Beth

spsguy (not verified)

Here are some photos of my Bergman, and some of our other looms.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/35873551@N02/sets/72157614511046035/

silver-shell, have you determined if yours is a countermarche or counterbalance?  I wasn't aware Bergman made any counterbalance but that is one that is listed on craig's list from time to time that does appear to be counterbalance.  If it has not sold and gets listed again I may have to go get it.  I too went from a rigid heddle loom to the Bergman. 

I was pretty fortunate with my loom in not only is it in great shape but it came with a bag full of additional heddles and plenty of string to make more, which Ihave done.  I made a simple template to tie them on. 

 

 

lanark (not verified)

I bought my first Bergman about two years ago. I was so excited, and so ignorant, that I had no idea whether it had all the parts (It did.) A few hints: My heddles were quite yellowed; a soak in a weak bleach solution fixed that. Also, if you tie the heddles in bunches of 10 (tied at top and bottom) before you slip them on the heddle sticks, you'll have less frustration if they slip off the open ends of the shafts.

I have checked everywhere I can think of, and no one seems to know how to interpret the stamped model numbers. If anyone has come up with an answer, I'd love to hear it.

I also have a litte 24-inch Bergman that I'm currently restoring. It's really cute; doesn't fold.

NOW FOR MY QUESTION: does anyone know if it's possible to warp the Bergman back-to-front? Because of the position of the warp beam, I have not been able to figure out how to do this -- but there must be a way!

 

Susan

 

Joanne Hall

The Bergman loom was designed and developed by a Swedish immigrant weaver named Margaret Bergman.  In Sweden, warping is done back to front, so there should be no problem warping the loom.  I did some teaching on these looms back in l973.  It was too long ago to remember how I warped the warp beam in it's high location, but I did not find it to be a problem.  They are very nice looms.

Joanne

lanark (not verified)

Thanks Joanne, that's great news. However, the instructions I've seen for warping the Bergman are to say the least, intimidating. See Trapunto's version: http://trapunto.wordpress.com/category/bergman-shop-talk/ (it's down toward the bottom of the page). Want to come visit and 'remember' how they're warped? Do you remember if you used a raddle, and if so, where it was placed?

 

Oh, well, it's a beautiful dayand I'm outside re-finishing my Baby Bergman.

 

Susan

Joanne Hall

Hi Susan,

I read through the link you sent.  The method is very similar to what I have shown in my Learning to Warp your Loom book.   My book has over 200 diagrams, so it would be easier to follow my book. The fact that the Bergman warp beam is on the top only means that the cords go around the back beam differently.  It does not change the warping method. 

But, be sure that you do not tie up the treadles any higher than is necessary, since this is a short loom, with less space for the lamms to move.   And, be sure to tie up at least as many treadles as shafts threaded.  If you have an 8 shaft loom, weave with four shafts for a while and remove the extras.  Then weave with 8 shafts when you feel comfortable with the warping and threading. 

Joanne

jwms

I bought a Berman and it is all here. Did you find the information you were looking for. Can take pics etc. It is a 4 harness machine 60" wide.

I just joined the forum so may be asking some questions myself. Am going to add a flying shuttle to the beater. Am pretty handy with tools so not much of a problem.

donna5105 (not verified)

Hello Bergman Loom users.  Can someone post a photo of a Bergman Loom warped.  I am helping a friend next week warp her new to her Bergman.  I come from a Jack loom background. I need photo of the warp beam.  Looking for the direction of the warp over the back beam.  Thank you!

Erica J

You probably already found the group, but if not there is a group for Bergman Looms. I am sure there is a wealth of information there for you.

Enjoy!

Joanne Hall

The warp beam on the Bergman loom is at the top of the loom, like a second warp beam.  So, the warp needs to go under the back beam and then up to the beam.  It is the only loom that does that and it has nothing to do with it not being a jack loom.  

If you need help with the tie-up, you might want to get the book, Tying up the countermarch loom, from Glimakra usa in Oregon, [email protected]

Joanne