Treadle action on David III - School of Weaving Forums

Hello all- I am just starting to use my new David III loom and not surprisingly I am finding it a bit strange as it is my first time ever using a floor loom of any kind. What surprises me is the ‘clunkiness’ of the action in the treadle when it is being raised up after being pressed down. I am only using the two middle treadles to start with, and have them tied up to harnesses 1,3,5,7 and 2,4,6,8 respectively. I have adjusted the texsolv cords where the springs are attached in the castle to reduce the tension to the minimum possible, but I still find the resistance when depressing a treadle and the strength of the rebound when letting it go up again very strong. I have put small pieces of felt under the far ends of the treadles where they hit the floor to reduce the noise, but my main issue is the way the rebound on the treadle when released/ raised is so strong. Maybe the springs loosen over time or I just need to get used to it, but any advice on treadling technique etc would be very welcome! I would like to place my feet further towards the back of the treadles, to give more control when pressing on them, but the tie up cords get in the way! Thanks.

Ginette Mod

9 months ago

Hi Katherine,
On my David 2 loom, yes when I have 4 shafts tied to a treadle you do have to put a bit more pressure when stepping on the treadle than if you only had 2 shafts tied to one treadle. When I'm weaving with 4 shafts tied to one treadle, I keep my foot on the treadle and control the rebound, I don't remove my foot. I keep my heel on the bar that the treadles are attached to. Hope this makes sense! If you still find it challenging, maybe you could tie up 1,3 on one treadle, 5,7 on another and then when you need 1,3,5,7 you are using 2 treadles, both feet? And same with 2,4,6,8. It'll work for plain weave but it would be more challenging if you have a pattern that requires more than 2 treadles.
To reduce the noise, some folks have put a carpet under their loom, it does help with the noise.

Thanks very much for your helpful advice Ginette. To tell you the truth I really have only myself to blame, as I was mad enough to pick an 8 shaft braided twill pattern ( from Carol Stickler’s book of 8shaft patterns) as my first thing ever to tackle on a treadle loom….and in fact most of the tie ups are to 5 shafts!!! Of course I should have started with something less daunting like maybe some 2/2 twill….Also, I am still waiting on a bench that I ordered months ago, so am having to make do with a seat with lots of cushions piled up on it or sit on a tall but rather small diameter stool. Anyway, at least it is just a small sample so I may just give up and take a scissors to it and call it a ‘learning experience’! Re. noise…I have put a rug under the loom and that has helped alright. It will all work out eventually I’m sure! :-)