Rio Grande Loom, "Cadillac" Model

Designed be Rachel Brown.

The Rio Grande Loom is based on the traditional Hispanic treadle loom, a "walking loom," used in the Southwest, Mexico and Central America for approximately 400 years. The weaver stands on the treadles. This means the whole body is in a walking position while treadling, and it is possible to weave for hours without tiring. Most weavers who have been introduced to this way of weaving prefer it to the sitting-down position. For weaving widths over 45" there is no question that this is the most comfortable way to weave. Today the "walking" counterbalanced loom is the loom of choice for the thousands of traditional tapestry weavers in Mexico and New Mexico who weave long hours every day.

Designed primarily for professional rug and tapestry weavers, the Rio Grande Loom is a glorified version of this old Hispanic treadle loom. After 40 years of rug and tapestry weaving, Rachel has designed this loom with woodworker Ron Moore, to include all the features she had always wanted in a loom. For her, it is the ultimate rug and tapestry loom.

The historic counterbalanced 4-harness loom is unsurpassed for simple weft-face plain weaves such as tapestries and rugs, for balanced weaves, for close-set warp face weaves, and twills. Throughout the Southwest it was always used for double-width fabrics where unbalanced treadling is required. It has the advantage of simple tie-up (a disadvantage of counter marche looms) and the capability of strong warp tension (a disadvantage of jack looms). Counterbalanced action is fast and quiet!

The Rio Grande Loom features a depth (from breast to back beam) that is greater than the width of the warp. This makes possible a very strong warp tension while still maintaining a good shed.

The beater is built for tight packing of weft-face fabrics, but is not so heavy to be unsuitable for beating apparel fabrics. It is pivoted from the base and designed to allow 12 inches of weaving before advancing the warp. A reed of 6" height to accommodate the large shed should be used.

A circumference of 38 inches allows the warp beam to easily accommodate a 50 yard warp or more. Eight steel "wickets" may be set in holes (set 2 inches apart) at any width of the warp beam to contain the warp in a perfect cylinder and hold the provided slats for separation of warp threads between turns. Four more are provided for a central position on warp beam. Additional steel wickets may be ordered to place in holes spaced 2 inches apart if the sectional warping method is preferred.

Rollers operate the shafts, and each shaft is equipped with 100 Texsolv string heddles (125 for the 54" and 60" models). All 3/8 inch non-stretch polyester cords for shafts and treadle tie-ups are pre-measured and clamped for easy assembly or removal. The treadle tie-ups are provided with special aluminum tensioners, making perfect adjustment of levels simple.

Tremendous tension can be achieved with a sturdy advance lever that operates when pushed down. Warp tension can be released from the front of the loom. The 54" and 60" width looms are equipped with ratchet and pawls at both sides of the cloth and warp beams so that perfect tension can be maintained on these wide looms. The 45" loom does not need this extra tensioning system. The cloth and warp beams are provided with tapes and steel rods for tie-on.

The treadles of the Rio Grande Loom are spaced and held together by a horizontal piece. For weavers who like to build up tapestry areas the treadles may be easily pushed from side to side, so that the weaver can stand at any position across the width of the loom while doing tapestry work. This makes very wide tapestry weaving completely comfortable. Instructions for many different ways of treadling at this loom are provided.

Four mortise and tenon joints secured by wedges at the base and 6 steel pegged joints for the breast, back, and castle beams make the Rio Grande Loom very easily assembled (or knocked down). There are no bolts and no necessity for tools other than a hammer or wooden mallet to put the loom together. Once assembled it is completely rigid; an occasional tap on the wedges assures this.

Specifications:
Four-harness, four treadle, counterbalanced action.
Hard rock maple, with Danish oil finish.
Takes a 6" high reed (not included).

Available in three sizes:
45" weaving width - actual width: 61", depth: 62.5" - 400 Texsolv heddles (included) - $4,900
54" weaving width - actual width: 70", depth: 62.5" - 500 Texsolv heddles (included) - $5,300
60" weaving width - actual width: 76", depth: 62.5" - 500 Texsolv heddles (included) - $5,500
*The advance levers of each loom protrude 10" beyond the quoted depth, and the treadles protrude 30" beyond.

This loom will be custom made for you so please give us the measurement from your elbow to the floor. Instructions for assembling and the various treadling possibilities for this loom are included.

This loom must be crated ($350) for shipping and shipped truck freight. We will charge actual cost to ship this loom. If you leave your zip code in the inquiry form, we can calculate shipping before we contact you.