Where can I find replacement heddle bars?  The loom is an unknown brand with the inside of the wooden harness frame measuring about 40 inches across. The bars need to slide into a slot on the frames.  Does the metal come in different thicknesses and rigidity or is there a standard? Live in the St. Lous, Mo area.

Comments

sandra.eberhar…

Are the heddle bars missing?  Rusty ones can be cleaned and smoothed.  If they are missing, I would try Leclerc.  Camilla Valley Farms sells Leclerc parts and can help with sizes etc.  Depending on the loom, you may decide to replace the frames and bars with simple wooden heddle bars, as Scandinavian looms use (see the Glimakra website for pictures).  These are thin wooden bars that use polyester Texsolve heddles.  Some people don't care for Texsolve because they are slower to thread, but they are very easy on thin or fragile threads and much lighter than steel.

Sandy Sea

Yes, the heddle bars are completely gone. It is a jack loom so I'm afraid the wooden bar only would not work.  Someone pointed me toward a Gilmore parts list and prices but I will check into Leclerc too.  Thanks for your suggestions!

jander14indoor (not verified)

You might save money if you go the hardware/metal supply route instead of replacement parts that may not fit anyway.

Either way, you need to measure what you need.

If you have at least one left, measure the length, width and thickness and order accordingly.

If you don't have one left, measure how big the slot in the frame is to hold the bar and distance between support.  Then subtract a VERY little so the bar will slide in place.

As to material, just about any steel will be OK, though its probably worth a little money to go to "cold rolled", "spring stock" or "alloy steel".  They aren't any stiffer, but they are harder to bend permanently.

Jeff Anderson

Livonia, MI

sandra.eberhar…

AVL looms are jack looms with wooden heddle bars and Texsolve heddles. 

theresasc

you can get shaft bars from either Schacht or Kessenich looms.  Both manufacturers use the metal bars.

Sandy Sea

Thanks for all of the great suggestions and info.  I decided to take on a loom that needed a little less help--minor wood replacement, reed replacement and cleanup. It was a fun project and looks to be a fairly quick resale. This loom which needs heddle bars (and many other things) is still in the back of my mind though......