What is the trick for pounding the bolts into the wood when adding the shuttle race to a 16-shaft Jane loom? I’ve tried with a mallet and they aren’t budging. The Louet video gives no tips and the other one I found on YouTube just says “I couldn’t do it so I got my husband to do it for me.” (Not an option available to me.) The shuttle race attaches without pounding the bolts into the wood but then the bit that sticks out gets in the way of the first shaft when the beater is pushed all the way back. Are there different bolts I could get that don’t have the square part?

Is this the video that you're following along with?

The bolt is installed before attaching the shuttle race to the loom. At the 2:18 mark, he lays the shuttle race on a table (you could use any other firm surface) and inserts the bolt so that it hangs over the edge of the table. Then he hits it with the mallet. If you can't get enough force with the mallet you're using, you could try using a hammer as it would give a harder hit. But, you may want to reach out to Louet as they may have some other tricks.

Yes, that’s the one. I tried with a hammer first and when that didn’t work I bought a mallet, which didn’t work either. Strength is not my problem. It’s definitely a skill issue. 🙃

The only other thing I can suggest is to try and hammer the bolt on a firmer surface. If the table you're using is bouncing when you hit it, you would have problems sinking the bolt.

And, when you're hammering, check that the bolt is hanging right near the edge of the table to give the wood support near the bolt. But not too close so that the table might get scratched.

When I was assembling my loom, I got a scrap piece of 2 x 4 and laid it on the ground and used that instead of a table. That made a good firm surface for sinking these bolts.

On the video, he does give it a good decent whack at it. Are you able to stabilize the shuttle race with a Quick Grip clamp or something similar and secure it to a table and then try again? Do you have a neighbour who could help?

Thanks for the tips! I’m auditioning some hex cap screws to see how they do. On the whole I’m loving how everything on the loom is designed to be smooth and easily adjustable… but then just when the end of assembly is in sight it’s suddenly “put these square pegs in those round holes.” 🤣