I got this lovely old loom back in 1985 or so, spent months cleaning, derusting and refinishing it's poor neglected self.  I have woven on it ever since, I love this sweet old loom and, when I saw this group, I thought it might be interesting to find out more about it.  So, I looked on the internet to try to learn some history and I can find NOTHING!  All I know is it's a Structo Artcraft Floor Loom, it was built in 1921 for the first president of the San Antonio Handweavers Guild in Texas and she woven fabric for her doctor-husband's suits on it.  There's a small metal plaque on the front that lists 6 U.S. Patents with other patents pending.  Where could I find out more information about it?  Upon searching Weavolution and the WWW, I have found the most people are talking about the table-top looms and no one's got information or interest in my big old Structo.  I think this is a knowledgeable group and I am hoping that someone has some input about my dear old friend.  Thoughts?  Please see the attachment for a photo, and thanks so much for your time and consideration.

Comments

Wed, 11/30/2011 - 00:41

endorph

be able to searh the U.S. Patent office site to get more information on the patent numbers you have - might give you a clue to when Structo made these looms, etc. Good luck.
Wed, 11/30/2011 - 05:43

Cat Brysch

I appreciate you sharing this idea. I've been trying to do this research online, but have found a lot of sites that just give me the run-around and don't actually let me check the numbers.  There are sites that are people who say they will research for me for a fee.  Does anyone else have a loom like mine?  It has 8 harnesses, a 48" weaving width, double back beam, 14 treadles which I've danced on for many years....

Wed, 11/30/2011 - 02:14

TheLoominary (not verified)

Hello Cat, perhaps you may find some information from Janet Meany. She is very versed in vintage looms. She was quite helpful to  me during my restoration of my 90+ year old German Harald Marquardsen loom. She can be contacted at :[email protected], Frank j [email protected].

Wed, 11/30/2011 - 02:58

endorph

you should be able to do quite a bit of the patent research online - I haven' been on the site for while but I believe you can search by patent number and date. Tina
Wed, 11/30/2011 - 05:49

Cat Brysch

Luminary, I'll try your suggestion tomorrow!!  Thanks, Francorios, I'll go to your suggested site tomorrow, too!  Encorph, I just don't seem to have the aptitude for those sites, I guess....have you tried them lately.  Any particular one to suggest?  There seems to be an ocean of them, but I couldn't get anywhere!   Thank you all for your help....this group is the reason I have gotten this urge to know more about my old friend, and I'll let you know how it goes!

Wed, 11/30/2011 - 12:12

endorph

this is the site I would start with - it looks intimidating but should work for you. http://www.uspto.gov/patents/process/search/ if you still have issues send me a PM with the patent numbers and dates and I will see what I can find - I am a research librarian and archivist by training so. . . even though this is not an area I often researchI can give it a try for you. Tina
Wed, 11/30/2011 - 15:59

Cat Brysch

That is so kind of you...I will try my very best first, but, if I'm having the same trouble, I'll gratefully accept your generous offer!  In face, I'll be try all of these wonderful suggestions later today as I have outdoor chores prior to a big snow storm coming in!  Now I can wait to get AT it!

Wed, 11/30/2011 - 19:26

francorios (not verified)

Cat, If you can get to the yahoogroup there are instruction manuals available for download as PDF. Has patterns created by Mary Atwater for the Structo. Have a good day! Franco Rios
Wed, 11/30/2011 - 21:12

weavingmom2

hi,

I am from Freeport, Il where the Structo looms were made, and I have owned many of them.  i have a couple left.  I looked at your picture of the loom and I have no knowledge of any loom like that that Structo made.  It looks like you have a Structo label on it, am I correct?  I have no idea how it got there, I have known of labels being reproduced. I do not know of any loom like that made by Structo.  I checked all of my Structo catalogs and there is not a loom like that there.

I don't know what to tell you other than I don't think your loom is a Structo.

 

Wed, 11/30/2011 - 21:25

weavingmom2

Structo didn't make wooden looms in 1921, see copy of article below.  We just had an article in our local paper about Structo.

By 1922 the Structo Manufacturing Company was manufacturing two all-metal looms painted in black and blue enamel.  One wove a 4" wide cloth  and the other 8" wide.  The  looms were marketing to people convalescing "to produce much art work" and to "Little Sister and Big Sister too."

The looms came complete with an instruction manual, pattern charts, warp, four shuttles, a draw-in hook and a wrench.  Some of the parts of the frames of the metal looms were directly evolved from some of the Structo building sets.

Well-know weaver Mary Meigs Atwater wrote the "Manual of Instructions for Structo Artcraft Looms Numbers 240, 420, 600" in 1930.  She also hand-drafted at least 23 weaving patterns for use on the various models of Structo Looms.

By 1932 Structo had filed six new loom patents, including the steel hexagonal warp beam and the pre-filled warp spools.  "We perfected this year a method of supplying warp on individual spools for use on these looms which simplifies their use and we shop thousands to our loom users throughout the country."

Ten different models were offered for sale by Structo in 1941.  But World War II was to have a huge impact on Structo.  Following the company's sale to another company, the loom life was bought by Dick Blick Art Supplies of Galesburg, Illinois in 1972.  Dick Blick sold looms through it's catalog through 1978 and still retains the rights to their manufacture.

Wed, 11/30/2011 - 23:40

Cat Brysch

I'm going to post the photo on my blog....it's right at the top, so no searching needed at:  catbryschcreationsstudio.blogspot.com

I just got it up on my blog after many more attempts to get the photo to show up here.  There's more photos of the loom on my blog under "With a little help from my friends..." click on The Old Structo to the right there....

Wed, 11/30/2011 - 23:37

TheLoominary (not verified)

Hi Cat, I found mention of a person teaching weaving classes on Structo floor looms at this site :http://www.monticellowi.com/textilesJun03.htm.Not much info, but someone else to contact during your search.Frank 

Wed, 11/30/2011 - 23:54

Cat Brysch

I have also just sent an email and some photos to Jean Meany as you suggested.  I hope I hear back soon.  Now I'll go check out this next site.  Thank you so much for your help so far!  

Also, Franco Rios, I tried to go onto the all_things_structo, but I need to join or something just to get anywhere....I'll try other avenues first and then try that later, but thanks for the suggestion.

Thu, 12/01/2011 - 01:56

Cat Brysch

I think that the lady I mentioned became president in 1933 of the San Antonio Handweavers Guild...I might have to dates wrong....maybe the old sales receipt I saw was 1931.  Anyway, your information has been most thorough and I'm sure your valuable knowledge will help me on my search.  I'm going to try the patent site again and will keep trying!  Thank you so much for your kindness and your interest!

Thu, 12/01/2011 - 00:42

weavingmom2

Ca, that is definately a Structo label.  Here is what i am thinking...You for some reason have the date wrong and that the is a Structo and that Structo custom made that loom for that person or perhaps a Structo employee made the loom using the Structo material.  I just sold my what I called Structo's floor loom which is the widest wooden loom I know of that they made and it was on an original Structo stand and had 8 shafts all levers in the front and no floor treadles. The looms Structo made with a stand are the 750, 26" wide x28" long, 10 harness,  725 20" W x 46" high, 8 harness, and 712 20" W x 25" high, 8 harness.  The 750 and the 725 are the only looms in the catalog that are mounted on legs (stand).  The most expensive when made was the 750 @ $65.00.  I have several catalogs and no loom with treadles.

How wide is your loom?  Perhaps someone made treadles for it.  The reason I am thinking it was modified is because it does look like Structo Wood!

hope this helps. 

Thu, 12/01/2011 - 05:34

Cat Brysch

No, thanks, Franco Rios, I don't really need patterns.  I think my current course of action might help me get the history of my Structo.  Also, I might decide to join that yahoo group later on and I could get them then.  But, thanks and have a good evening!

Thu, 12/01/2011 - 05:42

francorios (not verified)

It's not just patterns. It is scans of the original Structo Manuals for the looms.

Also have a letter documenting the history of Structo Looms.

If you want to study the history of the Structos, you're probably want to have these docs on your hard drive.

Let me know if you change your mind.

 

Have a good day!

Franco Rios

 

Thu, 12/01/2011 - 17:39

Cat Brysch

I wrote to Jean Meany (suggested by Frank). I got my answer this morning...it IS most definitely a Structo Artcraft Floor Loom.  She says they are very rare, not many were made (suggested by weavingmom2), and I do feel blessed to have it.  I am going to join the Yahoo group (as suggested by Franco Rios) and then I can access all the information and download what applies to me.  Since I have such a rare loom, I hope to find more people who own this Structo Floor Loom, too.  I wonder how many of us there are!  I am just so happy this morning, knowing that the mystery is SOLVED!  Thank you ALL for all of your help and interest and support!

Tue, 07/14/2020 - 11:54

Dramma

Cat,

The Harmony Historical Society, Blockville, NY was just given one of these looms for our weaving shed. I have downloaded the PDF. Have you found any more info on it?

Lyn Nagel

[email protected]

Thu, 12/01/2011 - 18:51

endorph

I'm glad you got a positive answer - have fun with the loom!
Thu, 12/01/2011 - 18:58

TheLoominary (not verified)

Glad to have been of help. Enjoy your unique Structo loom, Frank

Thu, 12/01/2011 - 21:30

Cat Brysch

I want to give correct credit...it's wasn't Jean Meany, it was Janet Meany who told me about my loom.  She has a friend in Knife River, MN who has one even as we write!  I will still check out the patent numbers soon, and do more research...also I want to try to find that old sales receipt so I can get my dates correct!  Thank you everyone!

Thu, 12/01/2011 - 22:31

sally orgren

Cat,

DO join the Structo group at Yahoo. It's free to join, just not quite as easy to use as Weavolution. It's a great group of Structo owners and an interesting place to find out about Structo "stuff". 

I haven't seen or heard of one like yours before, so I learned something new today!

The typical Structo loom naming convention comes from the warp capacity, i.e. using a 15 dent reed, threaded 2 per dent @ 30 epi. So a Structo 240 means an 8" weaving width, the Structo 600 equals a 20" weaving width, etc. I guess they used this naming convention to differentiate between their table models.

So now I am curious what yours would be? (Something like a Structo 1350?) Or did they just call them a "Structo Floor Loom"?

The Structo wooden table models are pretty heavy compared to their Canadian counterparts (the Dorothy), so I was wondering at the intended epi of 30 AND having 8 shafts, are the shafts are hard to lift on this loom? (A floor loom is considerably wider than their table models, and there are also the chains at each side.) Do you know what the loom weighs?

And I am very curious, which came first... the Structo, or the Dorothy? 

Sally

 

Sat, 12/03/2011 - 05:35

Cat Brysch

I'm just now in the process of posting more photos on my old Structo on my blog at:  catbryschcreationsstudio.blogspot.com  No, the treadles are actually quite easy to lift...one of the new photos will show that they are mounted in the back of the loom, giving this old weaver lots of leverage! I've got one photo on the blog of me sitting at the loom, which will give you an idea of size and weight....I've disassembled and moved that loom more than any other I have ever owned and it's a dream to break down for easy, safe transport.  I don't know what the whole thing weighs, but it's a good quality hardwood and well made with bolts holding its jointed together....they're better than some of MY joints now!

Also, I used to own several Structo table-top looms and used them for years for my students. I had 7 at one time, all 4-Harness, refurbished several of them, even had one that had it's own criss-cross legs on it....yes, they were quite stout and I loved the hand lever action better than ANY other table loom around!  The lever catch is pure genious, the way the lever can be disengaged to lower the shed when needed....so unique to Structo!

One of the reasons I joined in this group (and I have joined Yahoo's Structo group, too) is to find out what it's "name" would be....I had always been curious about, but didn't know who to ask.  I do plan to look up the patents to see if that will tell me something. Anything that I learn, I will share on both sites....I just cannot pursue it right now because there's a big snow storm coming and a Studio Tour to get set up for, but I'll get to the patents as soon as I can!

I had no idea how rare this loom is and I'll share everything I learn so we can, together, save this history for those young weavers out there!

Fri, 12/09/2011 - 15:49

Cat Brysch

Greetings fellow Structo fans....  I have been trying to search the suggested patent site, but they say there's no such documents for those numbers.  I don't know where to try next.  I'm stopped!  Any further suggestions?  Tina (endorph), you offered to help, but I don't know if I have enough information from the plaque on the loom...it only reads U.S.Patent No. in front of each number and has no dates.  The numbers are as follows in order on the list?  1445419, 1453533, 1546811, 1873726, 1907460, 1907468.  At the end of the list (as seen up close on my blog) is:  Other Patents Pending  My blog is at:  catbryschcreationsstudio.blogspot.com

Fri, 12/09/2011 - 15:52

endorph

if I can do anything more - I'm not sure why the patent site is giving a negative reply - hmmmmm let me think on this one. Government docs can be a pain!

Tina

Fri, 12/09/2011 - 16:53

debmcclintock

Maybe time to go to your local research librarian? Worth a drive to the nearest university for peace of mind.
Fri, 12/09/2011 - 17:41

endorph

of these patents are not available online and it may be that you would need to actually contact the Patent Office to get more information. I do have all the issue dates connected with these patent numbers - they range from 1923 to 1933. If you don't have and want the specific dates on each number let me  know. Chances are each number refers to a specific part of the loom and not to the loom as a whole.  Deb's suggestion is a good one. Most larger University libraries have a Government Document division that might be able to provide you with more direction. Good luck.

Tina

Fri, 12/09/2011 - 23:04

Cat Brysch

Yes, Tina!  I would like to have those dates very much....that would be so cool.  I had suspected that the patents refer to certain mechanisms on the loom and I would love to have that information!  Thank you SO much. And for Deb's suggestion about a large university, I don't have access to anything larger than University of New Mexico in Albuquerque...is that large enough?  I would go there in a heartbeat, but don't quite know how to go about it.  I live in New Mexico and can't think of any larger university system that's even possible from my remote mountain location.

Fri, 12/09/2011 - 23:23

endorph

the piece of paper with the dates on it at work but I will get those to you. UNM should be large enough - I would call their library and see if hey have a government documents section. If they do see if they could ehlp you access copies of the actual patent documents - explaining that full text images are not available on the Patent Office website. They may also have a way to search for other patents for the company by company name.
Fri, 12/09/2011 - 23:31

endorph

them up again 1445419 - FEb 13, 1923; 1453533 May 1, 1923; 1546811 - July 21, 1925; 1873726 - Aug 23, 1932; 1907460 - May 9, 1933; 1907468 - May 9, 1933 Tina
Sat, 12/10/2011 - 05:44

Cat Brysch

I am astounded by your knowledge and helpfulness!  I appreciate it so much and I will persue it more through UNM.  It might have to be after the holidays, but I'll get there!  Thank you so very much!

Sat, 12/10/2011 - 13:40

endorph

research is my profession (25+ years as a research librarian / archivist)- granted this is out of my normal subject matter but it is nice to break things up with something new every once in a while!
Sat, 12/10/2011 - 16:54

Cat Brysch

I know your job must be very interesting and rewarding!  Wow, what that job must do to the brain to have new information put in it every day!  I try to do that with my weaving, to constantly challenge myself, but you take the CAKE!

Sat, 12/10/2011 - 23:17

endorph

weave is my challenge right now - something I've always wanted to do but never found the time! At the job I enjoy the cahllenge of finding answers to questions and historical puzzles. I find a lot of similarities in the processes - weaving and puzzle (of many types) solving. Thanks for the opportunity to stretch myself just a tiny bit!
Sat, 04/07/2012 - 15:35

Panther Camp Run

Just joined this group. Have 2 structo looms, one 4-shaft 8" weave width and spool warp beam; the other 10-shaft, 26" weave width, floor loom but has hand levers; regular round warp beam (converted for spools?).

Also have access to Mason Warping and Sectional Beamer which appears to accomodate structo spools. Copy of instructions from The Mannings, no date. Have managed to get the pieces put together but can't figure out how to load it. Can anyone help me with this?

Sat, 04/07/2012 - 15:55

Cat Brysch

And, also, there's a wonderful group on yahoo called all_things_structo and there's bunches of knowledge and sharing with that group. Also, if you will post those photos and a rerun of your comments on a new post on this group, you might reach many more folks here at Weavolution than just posting to my post...try those things and I know you'll get answers! Good luck!

Thu, 04/26/2012 - 01:15

lavonnes (not verified)

I have a Structo table top 4 harness loom that must be the 600 model. It has 20" weaving width. It works well, but could stand some cleaning up. The label has been partially scraped off, but still can be read to identify the brand. I have no idea of its value, but I would be willing to sell it, and it could be shipped at the buyer's expense. I would have to research the likely value to price it. Does anyone have suggestion as to value?

Tue, 12/04/2012 - 05:06

WendyB (not verified)

I just tripped across this in craigslist....different style than Cat posted at the beginning of the thread.

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/nby/atq/3417326782.html

Tue, 12/04/2012 - 05:45

Cat Brysch

I do not know that this is a Structo Artcraft Loom....there are no similarities in construction to any of the Structos of any size that I have ever known. The castle, breast and back beams, treadling system, harness assembly, even the beater bar assembly are all are so different in construction and it does not have any of the patented parts that I am so familiar with...I have my doubts that this is a Structo...

Tue, 12/04/2012 - 19:07

sally orgren

it might be a great little floor loom for somebody!

Mon, 10/14/2013 - 22:26

SpinninJim

Does the company, or anybody for that matter, still produce those warp spools?  We have one of the looms and a few old metal spools but would like to find a source of new ones.

 

Fri, 09/12/2014 - 14:42

Lorrieg

I just picked up the orange metal 2 harness and was wondering what model number it is, what year it was made ect. Thanks! Lorrie
Fri, 09/12/2014 - 23:46

Cat Brysch

There is a wonderful group called allthingsstructo that is full of knowledge and information. Those wonderful people will be ever so happy to help and guide you. This is a Yahoo Group and here's a link that might help:

https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/all_things_structo/info

My Structo is very rare and I don't have that much knowledge about the beloved little table-top Structos....but they do!

Best Wishes!!

 

 

Mon, 01/26/2015 - 05:37

fiberassociations

Hi: I tried and tried to join the Yahoo Structo group but their Captcha letters and my ipad can't seem to coordinate and I can't join. Does anyone have an old wooden Structo table loom? I'm guessing from other posts here that it is a 600. Mine was a hospital OT loom in the 50s? 60s? I took photos before I took it apart and now can't find the photos. It weaves but the harnesses are wonky and stick to each other. I'd like to exchange photos with someone who has a similar Structo and see if I can figure out what's going on. and/or, how or where would I upload photos of my problem to Weavolution? Thanks for any help,
Mon, 01/26/2015 - 15:23

sally orgren

There is a YouTube tutorial on photo uploads for Weavo. I think it can be accessed from the home page.

You could also create a "project" and upload your photos there.

 

Mon, 01/26/2015 - 16:04

Cat Brysch

I totally agree with Sally (the above post) on this solution. Also, please consider going to your local library where you would have access to computers....we even have them here in our little remote Village library. The all.things.structo group is so helpful and knowledgeable, that this effort would be worth it and is the creation of the most wonderful lady. Take more photos and jump IN!

 

Mon, 01/26/2015 - 16:04

Cat Brysch

I totally agree with Sally (the above post) on this solution. Also, please consider going to your local library where you would have access to computers....we even have them here in our little remote Village library. The all.things.structo group is so helpful and knowledgeable, that this effort would be worth it and is the creation of the most wonderful lady. Take more photos and jump IN!

 

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