I have an old Murphy Loom 4/6 that has the flat steel metal heddles.  Assuming I can find Texsolv in the correct size, is there any compelling not to switch them over? I have recently acquired a Louet Delta CM loom and LOVE the texsolv heddles and would like to upgrade this lovely old loom with them.

TIA

Theresa

Comments

Sun, 07/19/2009 - 15:26

Alison (not verified)

Hello Theresa,

I don't know your loom, however I considered doing the same with my Baby Wolf.  I asked around, including Schacht and received the answer that the heddles are part of the weight that helps the shafts move correctly.  One person I heard from stated that they had added weights to the harnesses so that they could switch to texsolve.

Let us know what you decide!

Alison

Sun, 07/19/2009 - 15:57

runamuckweaving

 Alison, the shafts are 42" and heavy oak, so I'm not sure I need to add weights and of course, this is a CB loom not a jack like you're Baby Wolf. I know on a lot of jack looms it's not recommended unless, as you said, weights are added. You must love the portability of your BW!

Sun, 07/19/2009 - 20:21

Robyn (not verified)

You may be okay since you have relatively heavy shaft frames and that it's a counterbalance loom.  Are the current heddles steep or aluminum?  My counterbalance has mostly aluminum flat metal heddles and they weigh significantly less that the stainless steel heddles.

By the way, what is the length of your current heddles (e.g., top of the top heddle bar to the bottom of the bottom heddle bar)?

Mon, 07/20/2009 - 02:08

Alison (not verified)

I agree with you and Robyn, you may have plenty of weight.  How about trying it on just two of the shafts?  See how you like that and you can make a better decision.  I'll confess, I've never worked with a CB, but if you put the texsolv on two connected shafts, would it disturb the balance of the others?

I loved the portability of my BW when I purchased it, but I haven't taken it anywhere.  I'm getting a AVL 24/24 WDL next week.  That will be the one I travel with.

Alison

Mon, 07/20/2009 - 04:34

Sara von Tresckow

It makes NO difference on a counterbalance loom if the heddles are changed from metal to Texsolv (or string).

If you like using the Texsolv heddles, go ahead and replace the metal ones. Jack looms are the only type of loom where the weight of the shaft is critical.

Mon, 07/20/2009 - 18:37

runamuckweaving

 Thank you Sara!  The loom is due for a bit of work and it would be nice to change over to the Texsolv at that time. I haven't measured yet but this loom takes a standard sized steel heddle, so my thinking is that there will be a texsolv solution for it too! It's such a nice old loom, even if I had to keep the metal heddles I would still love weaving on him.

Mon, 07/20/2009 - 18:40

runamuckweaving

 Robyn,

Thank you for the input. I haven't had a chance to measure yet. The loom is warped and I am in process weaving but as soon as I have it bare naked again, I'll measure as you suggested.

Mon, 08/03/2009 - 01:34

whorlwindweaver (not verified)

I have texsolv hedldles on my old Leclerc Fanny counterbalance.  it's a lovelittle loom and works fine with the texsolv heddles.

Mon, 08/03/2009 - 02:09

runamuckweaving

 Thank you so much for the reply. Nice to know of a CB that has been switched over. I've known a couple people who have a Fanny and they love them. BTW, very sweet looking dog in your avatar. Is it an American Eskimo or a Samoyed or something else? :-)

Wed, 08/05/2009 - 11:40

whorlwindweaver (not verified)

He's a Samoyed.   A great dog who keepsme active.

I had never realized there was an issue with Texsolv heddles on a counterbalance!  But mine works fine, and I love my  CB.  It has a 36 inch weaving width and is STURDY.  I just finished weaving hall runners on it. Next project: placemats.

Wed, 08/05/2009 - 11:47

whorlwindweaver (not verified)

oh, and I just thought of something regarding counter balance looms and texsolve. CB's are an older form of loom, dating back to the middle ages.  My guess would be they used string heddles way back then--though naturally research would be needed.  So maybe texsolv is BETTER for our CB's.

Also, CB's have a straightforward mechanism, so texsolv shouldn't be a problem.  I'm also thinking the weight wouldn't be an issue because of the way CB's work.  pushing the treadle down moves the frames with the simple pully system thingie.