I'm agitating for my husband to actually make me an inkle loom, since he's not willing to swallow the price for something "so simple to make." I'm leaning towards solid lumber for the frame,  he's leaning towards plywood from hardwood. (I want a decorative frame shaped vaguely like a Viking longship, as long as I'm getting a custom job, but I can settle for a simple one-sided F frame of beautiful enough wood. Yes, I'm a grain snob.)  Are there pluses and minuses for strength/stability/splinters/etc. either way? I don't know enough to know if I'm pushing for something unreasonable,  or if DH is trying to do it too cheaply, or if a middle way is actually best. 

Comments

Wed, 03/23/2016 - 13:58

D-Stitchins Studio

    Inkle   Back view Inkle  Bottom view inkle  support bars on inkle

if you look at the high quality commercially made looms, they are always constructed of hardwood.  Of the several types of hardwood, maple has a closed grain which makes for a very smooth surface, lack of splinters and points to snag on.  There can be a lot more stress on the structure of an inkle loom than a person might think. Proper sized pieces of hardwood and good joinery makes for a exceptionally strong frame.

On the inkle loom my husband made for me, we have had very satisfactory results using hard maple parts, using a forstener bit to bore very clean holes thru the full thickness of the frame, resulting in very strong attachment of the pegs to the frame.  He also fabricated two support bars than can be slipped over the pegs that take the most stress to assure no twisting of the frame occurs (attached after the warping of the project).  See attached photo, this loom has worked perfectly for me. 

Diane

Wed, 03/23/2016 - 14:43

Joanne Hall

It is very important to have an easy to use tensioner to adjust the tension on the warp.  It is also very important to drill the dowel holes with a drill press so that the dowels will sit stright. 

Joanne