'Dream' Loom

This is the wish list I sent to Bruce Bannerman

Bear in mind that this is for a portable/folding floor loom - one that can - with some effort - be transported to workshops or relatively easily be folded up and put away if space is a consideration.  This is not meant to be a production type loom - for that I'm very happy with my Leclerc Fanny and would not willingly give her up.  But if I was in the market for a small portable/folding loom, this is what I would be looking for...

So cherry picking features from some of the various
looms I've used and  adding some thoughts of my own,
here is what I would like to see in a  small 'portable'
floor loom. 
Light enough two people can move it (whatever that means
- I'm thinking  50 pounds based on my ability to sling a
50 pound suitcase around by myself) 

Wheels to more easily move it without having to actually
carry it 

          Not X frame.  Unless it can be made in such a way that

it doesn't start  to fold up on me when I'm weaving on
it - an experience I've had and it isn't 'fun'.

Flat breast and back beams (not slanted beams)

           Warp/cloth beams larger than closet doweling.  

8 shafts 10 treadles would be wonderful although may not
be possible but if not...

4 shafts 6 treadles

Shafts that can be taken out of the loom easily to
re-arrange heddles  when necessary.

Heddle bar holders.  Should  be able to move heddles from side to side
of centre.  

A brake system that can be released from the front of
the loom without  the warp beam flinging feet of warp
off of it.   

Shed size that would accommodate an 'ordinary' boat
shuttle, say 2 to  2.5 inches?

Does not need to have a shuttle race even though so many
looms have them. 

Able to take different brands of reeds - iow, a beater
top that adjusts  to different heights.   

Also a beater that can take different *lengths* of reeds,  not closed in so that only one size fits the beater.

In a small footprint loom, it might well be 'better'
shed geometry to  have the back beam be higher than the
front.  Not sure that's practical  in terms of

designing/building a small loom that folds...so many

smaller  folding jack looms have a warp that levitates
well above the shuttle  race (not much point having one
if the warp doesn't lay flat on it!) and  I find that
adding height to the back beam frequently helps. 

Breast/back beams that can be removed, even if it means
taking out a  couple of screws.

According to Mr. Bannerman, even though their folding floor loom doesn't have some of these features, he would be willing to do modifications such as opening the beater up to take longer reeds, adding wheels and so on.  What he can't do - and still retain the ability to fold up - is make the beams bigger, although the beams on his loom are 2" not closet rod doweling.  :)  Nor can he make it be 8 shafts and still make it light enough to carry or fold up.

However, most of the other options he is willing to do if the loom doesn't already have those features.

Although I'm not fond of fiddly brake release systems, Mr. Bannerman also makes a 'collar' that can be fitted to the back beam to allow a more effective live weight tension system.  Which is what I would add in order to make a lot of the smaller folding looms work 'better' imho.

The good/bad news is that they have a waiting list for their looms - the wait list is currently one year.

I'd like to thank whomever forwarded my blog to Mr. Bannerman.  It was an interesting conversation.  :)

41" x 24 epi = 984

Working on the AVL now that the loom parts have been installed.  I'd intended to have this warp ready to weave on before the parts arrived but USPS and Canada Post conspired to deliver the box days before I expected it!

This warp is the special order and today I made significant progress on threading - just 8" left to do.  It's actually kind of nice to be working with 'thick' yarns - 2/8 instead of 2/16 cotton.  You wouldn't think 24 epi would be all that much faster than 32, but somehow it is.

I have had a little bit of feedback about the Purrington Looms folding floor loom but not what I would call a 'review'.  So far the majority of the feedback has been positive.

So - if anyone is interested in the modifications I would make to the loom to make it closer to my 'ideal' of a portable floor loom, let me know and I will post them here.  Mr. Bannerman says he's willing to make most of the modifications I would like to see - I have no idea what it would cost to get him to customize one of his loom designs - that you would have to discuss with him.

And on a final note - the date for surgery could be as soon as two weeks so I'm really feeling the pressure to get this warp woven and a few other must-be-done things accomplished toot sweet.

Keeping fingers crossed that there aren't very many 'emergencies' that would serve to bump me further down line - and not just for me, but for those who might suddenly find themselves needing emergency cardiac interventions...

Internet Speed

Well it wasn't but a few hours after I published the previous post when I had a phone call from Bruce Bannerman of Purrington Looms

A few emails back and forth and apparently their folding floor looms meet most of my criteria for a small floor loom.  And most of what doesn't, he would be willing to modify.  Not sure if he was only willing to do 'my' modifications upon request or if he is considering making those modifications across the board...a little presumptuous to expect a loom manufacturer to change their design on my say so.  :)

However, I have never woven on a Purrington floor loom, so if anyone has and would be interested in reviewing it, I would be happy to post that review here.  Along with my suggestions for modifications.  Remember, I'm perfectly willing to modify any piece of equipment if it will - in my opinion - improve the performance!