Hello,  I am new to Weavolution.  I am also new to my recently aqcuired Fireside Fiberarts Loom which we purchased second hand.  I have the 40" 8 shaft model with the wide 7.5" warp beam I am reassembling after the move to my home.  This is a far cry from my little Dorset and while I understand how jack looms work in general I need help!

My questions are as follows:  What is the status of Fireside Fiberarts in Butler, PA? These are the folks who purchased the business from Gary Swett on the west coast.  Are they still in business?  They don't return phone calls and their webside seems to die out around 2010.  Does anyone have a manual/assembly instructions/parts list for these looms?  I'm not sure I have the friction brake threaded correctly and would love a diagram.  Do folks use an apron on the warp beam?  Else, how are they attaching the tieup rod to this hollow beam made up of four sides?  The loom came with left and right Rotary Temple units in a box.  However, there is no rack which the temple units are attached to the loom.  Is Fireside Fiberarts the only source for the Rotary Temple?

Thanks for your time! 

Rob Lilley in NJ

Comments

tomrsey (not verified)

They are still in business. I just purchased some things from them.  Communication, however, is terrible.  I have a Fireside made in the 70s in Deadwood, Oregon.  I could take some pictures of the braking system and try to describe it if that will help.  If interested, send me a pm with your email address.

gailc

I have been trying to contact them for over six months with no success.  I keep hearing that they are still in business, but I couldnt swear by that.

I have an older fireside and have some instructions (somewhere) for setting up the friction brake.  I also have a pdf file from Gary Swett describing the rotary temple that I can send you.

I wish I knew where to find parts for the rotary temple.  I cant imagine that fireside builds them, but I have yet to find out who the mfr is so that I can get new pins.

I am also in NJ - if close enough, you are welcome to come look at mine, or I can come help you with yours.

cottageweaver (not verified)

I may have a couple of photos that Gary Swett sent me when I was thinking about adding the rotary temple to my Glimakra.  I had a cherry 4 shaft Fireside for years - it's a beautiful and sturdy loom.  It was my first loom and I enjoyed weaving on it!  Let me know if you'd like the photos.  Also, Tom Knisely at The Mannings may know something about Fireside Fiberarts current status.  He features the rotary temple in his new rug dvd.

gailc

Does anyone know who actually manufactures the rotary temple?  I have tried to get in touch with the Fireside people for months, with no success.  Thanks for the suggestion to contact Tom Knisely, Toni.  I may give that a try.

Robert Lilley

Guess Who I got a call from on Saturday? Yep, Michelle Lesniak of Fireside Looms. I figured I'm make one last call and left a message to call and let me know if they are in business or not. That seemed to do it and she called back within hours. In any event, we had a long talk and I ordered all the items I needed to include rotary temple parts, etc. I let her know that many on the Weavolution list think she is out of business. She wasn't aware that it had gotten that bad. The loom business had dropped off quite a bit for them since 2008 (the last year they attended the Maryland SW festival) and they have been putting their time into their other business and the kids. I was kind of a dutch uncle and told her it may be a Catch 22 - there may be little business to be attentive to, but there will be little business if you are not attentive. I also let her know that there are many of us out there that really are dependent on them for product and support for Fireside looms.  Michelle did say that her husband really would rather do looms then the computer consulting they do as their other job.  I would say not to give up if they don't answer calls/emails right away.  Michelle says a lot of people just hang up without a message. 

Rob

Robert Lilley

Guess Who I got a call from on Saturday? Yep, Michelle Lesniak of Fireside Looms. I figured I'm make one last call and left a message to call and let me know if they are in business or not. That seemed to do it and she called back within hours. In any event, we had a long talk and I ordered all the items I needed to include rotary temple parts, etc. I let her know that many on the Weavolution list think she is out of business. She wasn't aware that it had gotten that bad. The loom business had dropped off quite a bit for them since 2008 (the last year they attended the Maryland SW festival) and they have been putting their time into their other business and the kids. I was kind of a dutch uncle and told her it may be a Catch 22 - there may be little business to be attentive to, but there will be little business if you are not attentive. I also let her know that there are many of us out there that really are dependent on them for product and support for Fireside looms.  Michelle did say that her husband really would rather do looms then the computer consulting they do as their other job.  I would say not to give up if they don't answer calls/emails right away.  Michelle says a lot of people just hang up without a message. 

Rob

Robert Lilley

Guess Who I got a call from on Saturday? Yep, Michelle Lesniak of Fireside Looms. I figured I'm make one last call and left a message to call and let me know if they are in business or not. That seemed to do it and she called back within hours. In any event, we had a long talk and I ordered all the items I needed to include rotary temple parts, etc. I let her know that many on the Weavolution list think she is out of business. She wasn't aware that it had gotten that bad. The loom business had dropped off quite a bit for them since 2008 (the last year they attended the Maryland SW festival) and they have been putting their time into their other business and the kids. I was kind of a dutch uncle and told her it may be a Catch 22 - there may be little business to be attentive to, but there will be little business if you are not attentive. I also let her know that there are many of us out there that really are dependent on them for product and support for Fireside looms.  Michelle did say that her husband really would rather do looms then the computer consulting they do as their other job.  I would say not to give up if they don't answer calls/emails right away.  Michelle says a lot of people just hang up without a message. 

Rob

kerstinfroberg

sorry to be so dense - it's just "us dumb Swedes", no doubt...

ZenSojourner

A "Dutch uncle" is someone who pulls no punches and tells you in no uncertain terms when you are straying from the straight and narrow, making poor choices, or behaving badly in some way.  Sort of the anti-enabler, who really does have your best interests at heart and offers plain-spoken, unequivocal counsel aimed at keeping you from digging the hole you are in any deeper.  No matter HOW much you think you don't want to hear it, LOL!

As for Fireside Fiberarts, I had no trouble reaching them today, so if they were failing in some respect before, they seem to have fixed it now.

coleenlento

I am also new to weavolution, and purchased a used 40" Fireside loom.  Did you happen to get a manual?  Did you figure out the brake?  I am struggling to reattach the brake on mine.  It was dismantled when they delivered the loom.

Ninalea11

The movers cut the sisal. Has anyone a picture or drawing of the brake assembly? It's an 8 shaft