I'm tired of using a table loom for workshops and would like to invest in a portable 8 shaft floor loom.

1) Are the Baby Wolf and Baby Mac the only two on the market?

2) I'm familiar with the Schacht (I have a Mighty Wolf), but I haven't any experience with the Baby Mac -- I haven't ever seen one IRL and Macomber's website's photos aren't great.  Any insight on the pros and cons would be greatly apprectiated. 

Thank you in advance,

~ Jen

Comments

Thu, 12/17/2015 - 00:04

runamuckweaving

Gilmore makes a wonderful portable loom too, the Gilmore Gem II.

Harrisville might have a portable 8, and maybe LeClerc has a small one too.

I've used a BW and I own a Gem which I love. I own two Mac but they are full size. Great looms but I am told the BM are not as sturdy as their full sized relatives.

Good luck on your search.

Thu, 12/17/2015 - 04:21

JenTheAngrySpinner

Runamuckweaving -- I hadn't seen the Gem II before -- I'm loving the 52#.  Do you have a sectional beam?

Warmly,

~Jen

Thu, 12/17/2015 - 13:57

runamuckweaving

No, I opted for the plain beam. I am not a sectional fan. On the plain beam which is like 4 fins, you need no warp seperation. If you use sticks or paper it isn't needed. I haven't used anything for the last 4 warps I've done on the Gem. I used sticks for the first warp. Paper would have been better if I felt the need quite frankly. After that, I've gone without.

You can see pics here of the loom: http://runamuckweaving.blogspot.com/2014/09/arrivals.html

and the following post in Sept of 2014 How Does it Weave, shows it warped up and weaving. HTH

Theresa

Thu, 12/17/2015 - 16:19

ricatlga

I purchased a Baby Mac from a guild member.  24 inch-8 shaft.  It came with the standard ratchet style warp beam.  I've had a couple of issues but easily resolved.  My take-up lever for the cloth beam broke.  Probably because I was trying to tension my warp to much.  They have had that occur and changed how they make it.  It is now double riveted between the two metal pieces.  If buying used check wear on the shaft frame. Mine had a tendency to jump out of the slots, but if you keep it well lubricated and balanced it is not a big issue.  There is no real way to relax tension on the cloth beam before releasing the warp beam.  Not sure if this is on new ones, but Eddie had a tensioner kit I put on the warp beam so that when you release the ratchet you don't get over-spin of the warp.  I also ordered the tool tray for top of loom.  That is very handy.  It is compact when folded up - only has wheels on one side of frame with a lifting handles on both sides of the frame.  So it does not "drive" as well as a folded up Baby Wolf with four wheels that our guild owns.  Shafts are metal (like its big brothers) so probably slightly noisier than wood shafts.  You'll see a lot of comments about the metal connectors for treadles versus using texsolv cords.  It came with texsolv and metal connectors and I've settled on using the metal ones.  Easier (in my mind) to connect/disconnect.  Just finished the Handwoven project for Hearts and Bones scarf which has multiple changes to tie-up to handle the pattern changes and I did not go mad and bite myself over that.  Treadles are close together so I have to be in sock feet.  Size 11 shoes don't make it when you have to use all 10 treadles.  Hope this helps.

 

Thu, 12/17/2015 - 22:56

sandra.eberhar…

I had an 8 shaft Baby Wolf and I did not find it so portable.  You can move it from room to room, but it takes an SUV or van to carry it, and it weighs ~70#.  If you put a sectiona beam on it, it won't fold unless you add a second back beam, and it gets heavier.