Hello,

 

I'm pretty new to Weavolution - and to floor loom weaving, having only just started taking classes - but have been rigid heddling for a year. . .  I've been keeping an eye out for anyone selling a floor loom near me, because I know I'm going to love it and need to weave all the things (since that's already the case with my rigid heddle loom!)  I can't really afford to spend the $2k-$5k that a brand new loom would cost, so I'm going to end up with a second hand.  I have the opportunity to get a 36" Harrisville loom at a great price, but after talking to a (super nice, very helpful!) person at Harrisville, I'm now scared that maybe I shouldn't go for it.

 

From the pictures, it looks very clean, but it definitely needs some adjusting/putting back together.  And, I know it's missing the treadles (and think I can buy/make replacements).  After talking to the person from Harrisville, I learned that apparently Harrisville looms don't have chains holding on the treadles, and that since this loom does, it means someone has been trying to modify it.  She also scared me with things like a tale of someone who got a great price second hand loom and had to spend a thousand dollars restoring it.  I don't want that to happen to me!  I was wondering if anyone here might be able to glance at the pictures and give me any thoughts/opinions?  I'm not holding anyone responsible for any feedback provided, I just would like to hear what a more experienced weaver would think, going by these pictures.  And if anyone has advice as to what to look at when I go to see this in person.

 

Here are a few pictures:

http://www.historicallydressed.com/static/loom1.png

http://www.historicallydressed.com/static/loom2.png

http://www.historicallydressed.com/static/loom3.png

http://www.historicallydressed.com/static/loom4.png

(Sorry I couldn't embed these/make them links; the buttons to do that don't seem to be working for me).

 

I hope this could be my loom because it's just the sort of loom I want, and within an hour of me.  And I'm aware that some things will need to be bought, like nylon for the treadles (and the treadles!), possibly upgrading leather to nylon coated wire for the parts that hold the (heddles?  reeds?  I'm still struggling with all this new terminology!)  I'm okay with spending, say, $100 or so in repairs/upgrades.  But if creeps much higher than that, I'd rather hold off. . .

 

Anyhow, very much looking forward to whatever thoughts you might be willing to share!

 

Thank you!

-Jenni

 

 

Comments

Thu, 10/15/2015 - 19:56

MaryMartha

To me, it doesn't appear put together correctly.  Here is a picture of the modern model from the Harrisville website.  You can clearly see the chains, and the description refers to snapchains for tieup.  I have no idea who you talked to at harrisville or what they understood you to be asking them.  The Woolery are dealers for Harrisville looms (and also sell used looms).  You may want to call them to price replacement treadles, etc.   You can make your own, but it would be good to have at least one original as a template.  Looms are precision machines.

All we can tell from these pictures is that the seller really doesn't know much about the loom, or how to set it up, and that they don't much care.  That might make for a bargain, but it may mean trouble.  I am a firm believer in buying used looms directly from weavers, especially until you have your own knowledge to rely on.  You may spend a bit more, but it is far less risky.

By all means, take a nice drive and see it in person.  Learn from the experience. Just don't talk yourself into something you'll regret.  Other opportunities will come.

Fri, 10/16/2015 - 02:48

Sara von Tresckow

I'll second the post above about caution. The loom looks very carelessly stored and the wood is in poor condition. Used looms can be a great way to start out, but as with anything, you may need to let a few go by before finding one that really works for you.

A used loom MUST be square - you measure the diagonals front to back and they MUST be exactly even or the loom will always make crooked cloth. The heddle frames or shafts must be in clean working order - no bent heddle bars, no rusty heddles, no sticking as they rise and fall. 

Treadles are easy to make for countermarche or counterbalance looms, but for the jack looms, they can be a bit complex to make.

Buying new parts from a loom maker gets expensive very quickly.

Personally, I'd pass on this one and keep looking - here on Weavolution, perhaps on Ravelry, and definitely on the Spinners and Weavers Housecleaning page www.kbbspin.org

Fri, 10/16/2015 - 09:40

Marie P

Hi Jenni,

I'm in a similar position as you - a relatively new weaver, in love with my rigid heddle and 4 shaft looms and purchasing a used 8 shaft loom. I am very lucky to have found a wonderful used Mighty Wolf in Ohio (we are leaving for our 18 hour road trip to purchase the loom and visit the wonderful current owner/weaver) through the For Sale or Trade group on Weavolution.  It appeared pristine in the photos and the info from the weaver was very helpful and informative in making my decision.

I happened to see the one you are looking for and it was kind of scary. I stayed away from anything that required work as I don't have the experience to reconstruct a loom with replacement parts and knew there would be a lot of frustration in getting off the ground. There are many looms out there for sale and even though it's hard to wait when you are anxious to start weaving, hang in there and wait for the right thing. 4 shaft looms are more plentiful and I've seen several for reasonable less than $1000. 

Marie 

Fri, 10/16/2015 - 12:16

ShawnC

I can not stress how important it is to wait to purchase a good first loom. If at all possible take an experienced weaver along to check on looms. I borrowed my first floor loom, from a weaver, (in order to determine whether to buy it or not), and it 'looked' ok. But I didn't really know what to look for. It was awful. Front and back beams were warped, etc. I could not get even tension, and fought with the loom the whole time. I thought it was me, and almost decided that weaving wasn't my cup of tea. Luckily, I was able to try a loom in good condition and have loved weaving ever since and ownded many looms over the years. It's tempting to want to hurry the process, and you may get lucky if you do, but this loom looks like a headache.

Sat, 10/17/2015 - 12:27

Jenni

Thank you so much for your feedback, everyone!  You've definitely given me a great deal to think about.  I made a date to go look at the loom in person, but I'm definitely going in with the thought that I could very well pass it up.

 

The good thing is, I'm taking a weaving class on Monday nights.  So if this isn't my loom, I can be patient and wait for another, because I'll still get my weaving fix every Monday night.  And in between that, I've been rigid heddling.  ;)

 

Thanks again!

-Jenni