In 3 weeks, we are moving to a new house in a different state.  The new house is much larger than the house I am currently in and I am planning on taking over the "formal living room" as a weaving room and relegating the people to the use of the "family room".  I haven't had room for a floor loom for almost 10 years, so for me this is a very BIG deal. Big enough that I am having massive loom anxiety around making a choice in the loom that I wish to purchase. I currently have a tapestry loom and a Dorothy Table loom, and I've been renting/borrowing large looms if I want to work a larger project. I used to have a wonderful 8 harness Nilus--your basic Jack loom, but very satisfying, and parting with it was very sad. Before that I had inherited my Grandmother's ancient, giant loom, but it perished in a fire. However, after working on Tapestries for a while now, I have become very interested in weaving rugs.  Also, for once in my life I want a brand new shiny loom.  I have gathered some criteria for my new loom and some more questions, and I'm hoping you folks can help me sort it all out. Here's my criteria:

-- My budget caps out at $6,000.  

--I am 5'2'

--The loom must be able to handle heavy rugs

--I do not want a loom that will walk when I beat it, however, I am happy to modify the loom and my floor

--Currently, I am very interested in warp facing rugs

--I am a "heavy beater"

--I want a countermarch loom, not a jack or a counter balance. I have experienced all three in the past either through owning or renting and I infinitely prefer the countermarche.

 

At this point the two looms that I've come up with that might work are:

--the Leclerc Nilus II--60", Countermarch, 8-Shaft Loom, Back Hinged Treadles, with a weighted beater. I could probably get this for a little over $5,000.00

Pros: I know the brand. I've modified them for my height so I know this can work. I love these looms, they're not glamorous or flashy, but they're steady solid workers.

Cons: I'm worried that the loom is a little too light to take years of heavy beating.  While I can secure the feet in a variety of ways, I'm still concerned that "walking" might become an issue.  

--the Harrisville 45" 4 shaft rug loom. This will be about $6000.00

Pros: It's definitley heavy enough to handle heavy rugs.  It's a fricking gorgeous loom.

Cons: It's only 4 shafts (I can't afford to go up to an 8 shaft model) and I'm worried that I will feel limited or frustrated. I'm worried about the ergonomic height question, especially with an attached bench (I am aware that I can take the bench off). I'm not sure how comfortable I would be modifying this loom to meet my needs in any substantial fashion, which is kind of ironic since Collingwood designed it and he was all about modification.

Honestly, if the Nilus can handle a steady diet of rugs that would be my 1st choice. I should add that I'm not a big fan of Glimakra looms, so I'm not really considering them as an option (this is purely personal preference, not based on any real problems with the looms).

I'd appreciate any thoughts, experience or input on this decision.

Thanks much.

 


 

 

 

 


 

 

 

 

Comments

Mon, 05/28/2012 - 12:53

SallyE (not verified)

Is there some reason that you aren't considering a Swedish type loom?   Also, although you said you want a "shinny new loom" there are a lot of really wonderful used looms available for a lot less money.   Purchasing one of these used looms would leave a lot of room for reeds, temples, shuttles, and most of all, for wonderful yarns!  

With so many people downsizing just now, these great used looms need love too, and you could get a $10K or $12K loom within your budget.

Mon, 05/28/2012 - 12:58

SallyE (not verified)

I just read your posting again.   A used loom would be affordable in 8 shafts from the beginning!  

Or, in your budget, you might even be able to get two used looms  - a rug loom and something else.  Think how nice it would be to have a choice, and to have two different warps going at once.

Mon, 05/28/2012 - 13:16

Kade1301

I'd definitely try out the looms I'd consider buying. The manufacturers should happily welcome you on their premises if you can't find a loom to try out elsewhere! That would answer the ergonomics question.

Personally, I'm lusting after a Harrisville rug loom (mainly because of the Collingwood name attached) with shaft switching option (would that make the 8 shafts unnessary?), which is completely unrealistic for me in Europe. But you could contact them about a 4 shafts now, 4 later option.

And MUST it be a shiny new loom? How about a used Nilus or Harrisville? There should be some, somewhere (again, I'd contact the manufacturers and major dealers).

Good luck! Klara

 

Mon, 05/28/2012 - 13:30

M McLaughlin

Thank you for your input. I have spent a fair amount of time considering a used loom, and I am aware of the benefits. However, rational or not, I want to purchase a new loom. I'm hoping that someone with experience using either of the two looms I've listed, preferably to weave rugs will share their experience. For the record, I have thrown a shuttle on both of these models before, and they are both workable. I just don't know how they would work out for me over time; fewer shafts than I'm used to, versus a loom that's possibly too light. Thanks much :)
Mon, 05/28/2012 - 13:50

Dawn McCarthy

How about Cranbrook!  Very heavy duty!

Dawn

Mon, 05/28/2012 - 16:03

Joanne Hall

would be very important for weaving rugs.  It allows the beater to be heavier and it will save your shoulders. 

And, be sure that the loom is assembled with bolts or wedges and not screws.

And Stadig loom feet will keep any loom from walking.

You can see it here:

http://glimakrausa.com/glimakra-products/loom-accessories/#5

Joanne

Mon, 05/28/2012 - 17:40

M McLaughlin

 Hi Dawn,

I do like the Cranbrook and it definitely was on my short list. However, the pricing issue is the same as the Harrisville Rug Loom, in that I can only afford the 4-shaft model, and out of the 2 looms, I prefer the Harrisville. In my mind it's kind of the Cadillac of rug looms.

 

Mon, 05/28/2012 - 17:48

M McLaughlin

Hi Joanne,

Thank you for your advice.

At the risk of starting a debate, I am under the impression that the advantage of the hanging beater was negated by properly weighting a standing beater, and that the main thing was to set the loom up well to the weaver's proportions. I have been told both opinions by weavers and their point of view seems to coincide with the type of loom they prefer working with. However, I am not discounting what you say. I have used hanging beaters, but not for any longer than a week, so that may be too short of a time to realize a benefit.

As far as the Stadig loom feet, the room I am setting up as my weaving space presently has wall-to-wall carpet over sub-flooring. My undestanding is that the Stadig loom feet will not work on Carpet. While I would prefer not to cut sections out of the carpet, I am not adverse to nailing through the carpet in pursuit of modifications.

 

Mon, 05/28/2012 - 21:38

Joanne Hall

work on any floor, so I don't know where that information came from.  Some looms do not walk when put on ordinary carpeting, so perhaps that is the source.   But the Stadig can be used on carpeted floors as well as hard floors.  Some weavers use them simply to protect their floor from getting marks from the loom feet. 

Joanne

Mon, 05/28/2012 - 21:48

Joanne Hall

I will tell you a very short story on this subject.  In the 70s I got a very big Leclerc loom which could be assembled with the beater hanging or attached at the bottom.  They sent only the beater sides for attaching it at the bottom.  I started a project and after weaving about 9 inches,  I had to stop and wait for the beater sides to arrive so that I could hang the beater.  The loom is 8 feet wide, so the problem was greater with this big beater.  I put on the sides for the beater to behanging and I then wove without any problems.  I have woven on that loom ever since, sometimes for long stretches of time, but I could not weave on it with the beater in the lower position. 

Traditional looms in many countries have hanging beaters. 

Sometimes problems do not show up unless you do a lot of weaving. In the 80s I sold all the looms I had in my teaching studio which had a lower beater, as I developed a right shoulder problem from using them.  I now have hanging beaters on all my looms in the studio and I don't have any shoulder problems.  Joanne

Mon, 05/28/2012 - 22:03

M McLaughlin

Hi Joanne,

Thank you for the information.

I will certainly consider the Stadigs as a possible solution, if I have "walking problems". The information came from a dear friend who has been struggling with her loom since purchasing it a year ago. She tried positioning the loom on carpet to stop the walking but it didn't stop the issue. I should say she is very tiny and doesn't add much weight to help stabilize the loom. She then tried the Stadigs on the carpet and was not pleased with the result. However, she did say that when she positioned the loom and the Stadigs on hardwood the walking stopped.

Thanks much,

Molly

Mon, 05/28/2012 - 22:13

M McLaughlin

How nice of you to take the time to offer so much information. 

I'm sure that there are advantages to hanging beaters, and I do appreciate the warning.  My grandmother, whose loom I inherited as my first loom and who was my teacher, wove on the dang thing for approximately...gosh I'm not even sure exactly how many years. She passed away when she was 90 and she was still weaving.  It was a huge behemouth of a loom and I believe it was handmade for her.  She never had shoulder problems that I know of, but she was extremely strict with me about correct set-up and posture when she was teaching me.  

I know that hanging beaters are very popular, but I guess I'm just not ready to give up on upright beaters quite yet. With any luck I inherited my grandmother's shoulder joints.

 

Tue, 05/29/2012 - 00:37

ellenspn (not verified)

Before you commit that much money I suggest you consider both the models available from Glimakra and Oxaback.  Both are well within your budget.

Tue, 05/29/2012 - 03:32

jlread (not verified)

I will always regret selling my Glim....IMHO they are the best thing going!

Tue, 05/29/2012 - 11:56

M McLaughlin

Thank you for all of your helpful comments and opinions.

I think it's great that you are all so devoted to the Glimakra Brand. However, as I said in my initial post:

I should add that I'm not a big fan of Glimakra looms, so I'm not really considering them as an option (this is purely personal preference, not based on any real problems with the looms).

While I would by no means classify myself as an expert/master weaver, I have been around long enough to know what will suit my personal tastes, body, style...

What I am interested in is information on the Harrisville 4 shaft rug loom and the Leclerc Nilus II--60", Countermarche, 8-shaft Loom, with back hinged treadles and a weighted beater, specifically in the context of rugs.

I really appreciate the folks who took the time to email with their personal experiences with these two looms. With your help I think I've made a decision.

Thanks much for your time :)

 

 

 


Tue, 05/29/2012 - 12:11

Kade1301

that the most interesting information was sent in personal e-mails. I (and probably others) would have liked to read it too, just on the off chance that I will one day buy a rug loom...

Tue, 05/29/2012 - 18:15

M McLaughlin

Hi Kade,

I don't feel comfortable sharing the specific emails, simply because there were probably reasons that people chose to share privately instead of publicly with me. However, I am happy to share what I learned over all.  Please understand that this information was gathered from talking/emailing directly to people as well as this forum.  In addition, this is in no way meant to imply that any one loom is better than any other loom. I personally believe that choosing a loom is a very personal decision.

As far as the Harrisville rug loom goes:

--I had difficulty finding people who actually owned these looms. I talked/corresponded with 4 people directly and the 5th was hearsay from a reliable source.

--The majority of people who I talked to were men, which I found interesting. Perhaps men are more comfortable/attracted to a loom of this size?

--All of these looms had been bought for the express purpose of weaving rugs.

--They had all been purchased in the last 5 years, which meant that I couldn't get a good sense of durability.

--The owners expressed great appreciation for them across the board.

As for the Nilus, 60", countermarche:

--I spoke/corresponded with about 12 people who owned this loom or one close to it including some Nilus Jack models.

--I couldn't find anyone with the countermarche option to talk to, but quite a few with the counterbalance.

--All of the people I talked/corresponded with that owned this loom were women.

--The great majority of the women had not purchased the loom with the intent of weaving rugs. Rather they started weaving rugs on their looms and found that they worked just fine.

--A large number of these women have owned the looms for more than 10 years, and the majority were used when they were purchased.

--Not everyone was 100% satisfied with their loom, however, everyone spoke very fondly of it and only a few were thinking of acquiring different models.

If I could afford a Harrisville rug loom with 8 shafts, I would definitetly purchase one. However, I am just not willing to limit myself to 4 shafts when I am used to 8. Therefore, I'm planning on ordering the Nilus in a couple of weeks.

I am not writing to recommend this as a course of action for anyone else. I simply want to share the information that I gathered. There are many options of looms both used and new that any buyer needs to sort through for themselves. This simply happens to be the best choice for me.

If you want more specific information please pm me.

Thanks much.

 

 

Wed, 05/30/2012 - 02:20

Dena (not verified)

Congratulations on your soon to be NEW LOOM!  Way to go!
Wed, 05/30/2012 - 03:18

sarahnopp (not verified)

I am spending time window shopping other weaver's spaces for the day I get more space. It will feel great to get just what you want in there :)

Wed, 05/30/2012 - 09:19

M McLaughlin

Thanks Ladies!!

I'm pretty excited!!!

Wed, 05/30/2012 - 11:46

Kade1301

for your summary! I find it indeed useful to see that the Harrisville does not seem to have any hidden problems - I can go on dreaming ;)

Thu, 10/25/2012 - 17:58

passapman (not verified)

Did you indeed acquire the Leclerc countermarch loom you wanted?

Good for you for doing your research. I knew early on that I wanted a Swedish type loom. A hanging beater was important to me, so I looked at others just to confirm I was on the right path.  I seriously considered the Harrisville 60" rug loom, but I could not make up my mind between 4 shafts with the shaft-switching device, or 8 shafts. I learned that shaft switching devices can be made for just about any loom. I also considered the Weaving Southwest walking loom, but they are 4-shaft counter balance only, and take up more floor space than a countermarch.  I ended up with the 63" Oxaback with 10 shafts, 10 treadles, and floating lamms. I did look at the Leclerc line as well. I hope you are  getting on well with your loom.

Thu, 10/25/2012 - 19:32

M McLaughlin

Hi Passapman,

Yes, my 60 inch, 8 shaft, countermarche, Leclerc Nilus II arrived a couple months ago and I love it.  Setting it up was suprisingly easy, since I didn't have help (husband was traveling) and it's a pretty good sized loom. It weaves really easily and handles the tension for heavy rugs with ease.  It's also really beautiful :)

Congratulations on your own new loom, it sounds like a wonderful beast :)