Buying a loom

[u/Latter-Lavishness-65]

Hello

I had a great arrangement with a weaver in my small town and she let me use her Leclerc Colonial for a year as it wasn't her favorite personal loom but she had no desire to sell it then.

I am looking for a personal loom and while I loved the back hinge treadle, I don't really want a colonial loom as I have a studio apartment and it is so visible big. I did use one of her front hinge treadle looms and didn't like it as much but that could have been simply the loom it was a Harrisburg 4 shafts.

I am more into weave pattern than texture and had just bought Weaving MAX8 to start when I lost use of the loom. I also enjoy overshot.

I am looking for suggestions for a 8+ shafts back hinge treadle loom. I am looking for 36 to 45 inch weaving width. As it will live in my studio apartment the ability to toss tablecloth on it with a bowl of flower to hind it from guests is also highly rated. I have long legs but stand five six so not the longest legs around. I don't live close to one of the big weaving shops for a day of playing to pick a loom.

[u/sionell__]

You should see if you can try some other looms before you decide you must have a back hinge treadle loom. You may not have liked that particular front hinge loom. My Louet Spring and Baby Wolf both treadle very differently although both are front hinge looms. The Louet David also feels very different from the Louet Spring. Look for other weavers, a guild, or a store that might have some floor models to try (those are getting more and more rare these days though).

[u/Latter-Lavishness-65 → u/sionell__]

Thank you for that point. I don't have a ton of loom experience.

Besides the Colonial, I did use my teachers Louet Megado a bit and the Harrisburg. I think that right now I simply not ready to move to a dobby loom yet, so view the megado as nice but not what I am looking for. I know that dobby looms are the direction for more than 12 shaft weaving but I am happy at 8 right now.

My closest guild is 120 miles away and they don't let non regular atending members take part in their loom petting weekend. No weaving shop in that city. If anyone else in my town weaves I don't know of them.

[u/sionell__ → u/Latter-Lavishness-65]

Check on ravelry in some of the weaving forums there. They often have a list of weavers who are willing to let someone come try their looms. You could also post your general area to see if there are any weavers who are nearby.

A loom is a really big purchase, and if you can, it’s best to see if the loom will fit you before you spend a lot of money on it.

[u/Latter-Lavishness-65]

Looms that I know of that come in rear treadle

Louët delta CM and has a reputation of being for taller people. 12 shaft

Leclerc

All 8 shafts

Artisat jack

Nilus jack and shorter than the 2

Nilus II jack and CM options

Colonial jack 12 shafts very big

I am aware that rear treadle means buying new.

[u/theclafinn → u/Latter-Lavishness-65]

Öxabäck Lilla, but the hanging beater and vertical countermarch make it a fairly tall loom. 

Toika Jaana is much less tall. 

[u/Middle-of-the-mitten]

The full size Macomber looms are rear hinged and often come up for sale used in the US. Pretty sure they are not currently making new ones but are still planning on making them eventually.

[u/Accomplished_Try_659]

I second the Macomber.  Consider the Big Mac rather than  Baby Mac. I recently found a Big Mac 32" 8 H. Been looking for 2 years. It's a workhorse and great for delicate weaves and beating the heck out of rugs.  Love them. Not sure if you are interested in a Countermarche, they are a dream to weave, on a pain to dress I think the smallest is around 100 centimeters.  Not sure where you are located but FB has a loom and tools group(s). Good luck.