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