Am I nuts to buy a Spring II loom at age 71?

General topics on handweaving · 19 replies · 4371 views · 14 followers

TamarSmith

over 2 years ago

Thank you, Nancy, for commenting. I'm still pondering (for one thing, the cost!), and trying to be satisfied with my four shaft (Schacht Baby Wolf) at least for a year before I jump. I'm pretty sold on Louet looms and now considering The David as well. In any case, it is great to hear other people's experiences.

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nato

almost 2 years ago

Well, not to throw you down another rabbit hole BUT your comment regarding the tie ups made me think about the AVL home loom which has tie ups on the side.

It’s an 8 shaft, 10 treadle rising shed loom but the treadle system of pulleys makes it easier to treadle

I’ve seen original Jim ahren looms and found them to be quite beautiful in their simplicity. Peggy Osterkamp studied with him and still uses hers.

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Pat Passon

almost 2 years ago

nato,
I have looked at the AVL Home Loom but not in person. While the side tie ups are enticing, I'm also looking for something that is as easy as possible to treadle, bad knees. I've seen comments by folks who have sold them on due to heavy treadling even with the system of pulleys. Maybe if I had been weaving for the last 30 years with the Gilmore I have in the garage, I'd be in better shape but alas that is not me.

nato

almost 2 years ago

Interesting. So it’s lighter than the average Jack loom but still a heavy treadle.

I must say that I find the Spring 2 to be a light treadler. The David 3 is light as well but has a different feel. It wants to spring back. The Spring does involve spending twice as much time on the floor for tie ups. I’ve seen people prop them up on little stands just so they didn’t need to crouch so much.

Maybe a table loom with a stand?

Pat Passon

almost 2 years ago

Great to know that the Spring 2 is a light treadler. Confirmation of everything else I have seen. Would you say that the David 3 is as light even though it wants to spring back? I think there are ways that I can work around getting on the floor. I've seen the stand approach as well.

I have a Jane 70 with a stand that I love but it is not currently available any wider. I would like to be able to weave wider projects. And there is nothing quite like a floor loom. I find myself trying to tread the treadles with the Jane.

nato

almost 2 years ago

I think the David is quite light. It's also much less complicated in regards to leveling the harnesses and changing out heddles although you have to make sure the heddles are balanced with at least one on the end to keep it from tilting. Cheryl loves her and she's weaves a ton,

Honestly, I think you could go with either loom. One is heck cheaper.

Any chance you could locate them to try? Are there guilds near by?

Pat Passon

almost 2 years ago

Thank you for the additional information. I have seen a Spring II locally but unfortunately it did not have a warp on at the time. It is my plan to try to find someone with a David III and revisit a warped Spring. There is a very active guild in my area and another about 40 miles away.

Cheryl Schwarz

almost 2 years ago

I had the 48" wide AVL Home Loom for a couple of decades. It is definitely NOT a lighter Jack Loom. It's very solid and on the heavy side. I loved the tie up system and how beautifully the loom wove....

But, after my hip replacement, it was just too difficult to raise 5-6 shafts at a time with my hip replacement leg. I replaced it with a 36" David 3. Sure do miss the side tie ups.

Pat Passon

almost 2 years ago

Thank you Cheryl. I thought I recalled from Ravelry that you had replaced your AVL with a David 3. Yes, the side tie ups sound great. Based on yours and other comments I've seen my nearly 71 year old bad knees and not so great hips would have a hard time with the treadling. I'm hoping to weave for many more years. That's why I am looking at the Louets.

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