What kind of looms can be used for rag rugs?

also, does anyone know of any plans I can purchase to make a rag rug loom that uses heddles?

Comments

Thu, 04/28/2011 - 21:36

naturalfibres (not verified)

I have a LeClerc Mira, which is a 4 shaft counterbalance loom, 45" wide that I use to weave rugs.

Are you planning on building a floor loom?

Fri, 04/29/2011 - 01:35

Claudia Segal (not verified)

I use a Glimakra 47" Standard and it's a real work horse for rugs.  I have seen plans for various looms for sale on ebay.  You can put "loom" in their search box.  You may want to post this question in the Home Built Equipment group HERE on Weavo.

Claudia

Fri, 04/29/2011 - 16:16

missbeckyohh43 (not verified)

I am hoping to make one, but I need plans first.

Wed, 05/04/2011 - 22:38

Mary Rios (not verified)

If you're making one, I'd study Glimakra or Crankbrook - While I like a Leclerc Mira, I prefer the overhead beaters and the wedge joinery. No tools required! Super quiet with string or texsolv heddles -

Pretty straight forward and wonderful for rugs - the box frame vs. the X-frame will make a difference!

 

Thu, 05/05/2011 - 02:18

TheLoominary (not verified)

Hello, If you are a skilled wood worker with the tools, and access to good seasoned hardwood, such as, maple, cherry, oak, and beech you can find plans for a fine Swedish type floor loom built from scratch by Googling- "Build your loom". This is a PDF with measured drawings for it's construction. If you are looking for a project, this is a good one. If you are just starting out, and are on a tight budget as so many of us are, purchasing a fixer-upper may be a good option. Many times looms are offered at little or no expense. Use the Weavolution forum " for sale or trade" to find what may be available in your area. I was given a loom by a kind person with the understanding I would save it. Eighteen months, and much fabrication, and restoration later I have a fine loom. See it in "Looms" under Harald Marquardsen". I invite you to join "Home built Equipment" here at Weavolution, and check the other great groups for loom building,maintenance, and repair. Regards, Frank

Thu, 05/05/2011 - 16:47

Mary Rios (not verified)

Frank - Excellent Resource! Thank you.

Not that I'll build one. Love the live weight tension on the back beam. Don't understand why all looms don't have this feature - This is exactly the loom I'd build if that was something I'd want to do.

 

Thu, 05/05/2011 - 17:00

TheLoominary (not verified)

Hi Mary, I was preparing to go with this loom before I was given my Marquardsen to restore. Glad though, that I didn't have to wait for the lumber to season. Frank

Thu, 05/05/2011 - 17:27

suzyhok (not verified)

I loved my 2 shaft Union counterbalanced looms - one 36" and the other 45"!  They were heavy and you could crank the warp up really tight so that you could almost play it like a harp!  The rugs I made on my 2 Unions were sturdy and when you hold them up to the light... you  could not see through them.  You can sometimes see Unions for sale quite reasonably.  

Here's an article about someone's delight in finding one on Craigslist...http://northernlightdesigns.com/my-new-toy

... and another article about the Union Loom Works of Boonville, NY  http://www.weaversfriend.com/page1/page8/page8.html

The Orco79 rug loom is patterned after the Union and was originally made from the Oriental Rug Company where I ordered my warp for many years.  Great Northern Weaving handles the warp and looms now. http://www.greatnorthernweaving.com/looms_orco70.asp

Good luck!

Suzy

Thu, 05/05/2011 - 21:43

Joanne Hall

It is good to note that the loom made according to these plans is a jack loom. 

Joanne

Thu, 05/05/2011 - 23:07

Mary Rios (not verified)

Frank - any pics of your loom? Never heard of it - would love to see it!

Mary

 

Thu, 05/05/2011 - 23:13

Mary Rios (not verified)

Joanne, it looks like a counterbalance to me - the shafts are suspended by long strings that wrap around pulleys at the top - are we looking at the same pdf?

 

Fri, 05/06/2011 - 00:42

TheLoominary (not verified)

Hi Mary, It's in our " Looms" section under "Harald Marquardsen".Frank

Fri, 05/06/2011 - 01:56

Joanne Hall

can have the shafts hanging from the top of a loom.  There are two main ways for a jack loom to be tied up, one is with jacks like the Leclerc Colonial loom and the Macomber looms and the other is with pulleys like the Glimakra Victoria table loom,  Harrisville jack looms and many table looms like the Montana loom, formerly Dundas, then Rasmussen, then Bergman.  It is closest to the Colonial loom, which has the cord coming down the center of the loom as this one does.

Joanne

Fri, 05/06/2011 - 02:00

Mary Rios (not verified)

Joanne, cool, thanks for the info, wasn't aware of that. I have never seen in person a colonial or the macomber... learn something new everyday!

 

Fri, 05/06/2011 - 02:03

Mary Rios (not verified)

very ...very... nice! : )

Sat, 02/25/2012 - 16:57

sharon Ofsthun (not verified)

I have been trying to make a decent rug on jack looms for years.  They are okay, but just okay,( if I use the right draft). Today I bought a Glimakra 47" Standand countermarche with the hope I will be able to get the sett and tightness I've been looking for.  My poor house isn't too happy with another loom....this makes five. All floor looms.