(click on picture for larger image)

This is a Structo Artcraft Loom I bought tonight on Craigslist for $50.

I've heard about these and now I have one. Now I have to find out how to weave on it.

It has the number 600-15660 written on it.

Another adventure.

Have a good day!

Comments

Wed, 08/18/2010 - 12:55

claudia (not verified)

Nice grab Franco.  It's hard to tell in the photo, is it the black metal?  How many shafts do you have?

I have a little 2 shaft, green metal one that is in great shape and I am warping it up this week for some sampling.  

Claudia

Wed, 08/18/2010 - 13:05

sally orgren

I DO recommend joining the Yahoo Groups: All_Things_Structo and take a peek at the files and photos folders logged there.

It looks like the one you purchased is in good shape. I believe they originally came with 50 heddles per harness and a 15 dent reed. Not having a crank isn't a barrier to weaving on this loom. You just turn it with your hands to beam the warp onto the back, or tighten for tension in the front. We sometimes use Irwin Quick Clamps to get a better grip on the beams if we don't have the original handles. Photos are posted here at Weavolution or at All_Things_Structo for all kinds of modifications to these looms.

The one you have is called a "Structo 600" because originally they were designed to weave with 20/2 cotton sett at 30 epi. Multiply that number times the weaving width (20") and you get 600 warp ends! (I recently learned that fact from the Berta Grey Hayes sample book.)

I am not sure about the rest of the number, but I *think* that means loom #156 in 1960. Perhaps Nancy C or someone else can weigh in on this.

Wed, 08/18/2010 - 16:39

francorios (not verified)

Sally, Thanks, I already was a member of the yahoogroup because I had a desire to own one of these. I've downloaded the Atwater instruction book, which is so nice with the handwritten notes and pics, and the other instruction book. I see I'll be able to do a lot with 4 harnesses. I did not know they often sell for $150. I only had $50 to spend so I made an offer which they took. Claudia, It's wooden frame, grey painted metal fittings. I haven't count up all the heddles yet. Have a good day!
Thu, 08/19/2010 - 19:42

francorios (not verified)

What kind of yarn can be used on these Structo looms? Have a good day!
Thu, 08/19/2010 - 20:26

claudia (not verified)

The Structo group on Weavolution allows you to post pictures with your comments.  Finding the group comments is easy with the Groups & Forums button on the black bar or by clicking on Dashboard in the orange box at the top right side of the page.

Claudia

Thu, 08/19/2010 - 21:44

francorios (not verified)

Do you mean there is a forum for Structo? I don't see it. Just the group posting area. Have ag ood day!
Thu, 08/19/2010 - 22:07

sally orgren

You can use any kind of yarn, but you are limited by the size of the slots in the reed. (If 1-2 stands of your target yarn won't easily slide through or up or down within one slot, it is too thick.) 

The other limitation is the distance between the front take-up cloth beam to the beam that the fabric travels over on the way to the take-up. On the 600 it is maybe 2" roughly? So this doesn't allow a lot of woven fabric to accumulate on the front cloth take-up beam if you are using a fatter warp and/or weft. (Or even a skinny warp and a fat knitting-yarn weft.) It can build up fast.

Because I use the 600 primarily for a grab-and-go kid's demo loom, I typically like to use a 5/2 cotton or Maysville Carpet Warp for warp and weft, and put about 5 yards on the loom. With this length of warp, you can get a useful size of fabric to make two scarves, table runners, lots of small purses, eyeglass holders, "chicken" pin cushions, sachets, or other small objects.

Here's a Structo 600 at the historic site our guild supports to give you an idea of the pattening available on a simple 4 shaft table loom. Pretty cool! (Whoops. Still must be problems. I tried to load 2x, and it spun out for more than 30 minutes with no results. I will try again later.)

 

Thu, 08/19/2010 - 22:37

francorios (not verified)

That's good to know. I'll be pulling out the thinner yarn/thread from the stash to try this out. Have a good day!