| Rio Grande® Loom "Cadillac"
Model 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. |
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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
Wood: hard rock maple, with Danish oil finish
Takes a 6" high reed (not included; see Accessories)
45" weaving width (actual width: 61", depth: 62.5")
incl. 400 Texsolv heddles
54" weaving width (actual width: 70", depth: 62.5")
incl. 500 Texsolv heddles
60" weaving width (actual width: 76", depth: 62.5")
incl. 500 Texsolv heddles
(The advance levers 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. It must be crated for shipping and shipped truck freight. Instructions for assembling and the various treadling possibilities for this loom are included.
45" $4,600.00
54" $4,900.00
60" $5,400.00
Crating charge $325.00
Shipped by truck freight. Ask for a quote.
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Rio Grande® Loom: "Standard"
Model The Rio Grande® Standard Loom is made of alder, a semi-hard wood. It is based on the same engineering as the "Cadillac" but is more affordable. Instead of mortise and tenon joints it is bolted together. The warp and cloth beams are 2 1/2" square. We build up the warp beam with furring strips (1" x 2"s) and lattice as the warp is wound on. (These are not included.) We put 50 yard warps on these looms for our own rug weaving. 400 Texsolv heddles are included in the price as well as a roll of Texsolv cord with pegs with which to do all the tie-up. |
This is an excellent, sturdy loom, which is a beautiful honey color. A great value! A video is provided to instruct you in assembling the loom. Instructions for use of loom and treadling methods are included.
Specifications:
Four-harness, four treadle, counterbalanced action
Wood: alder, with Danish oil finish
Takes a 6" high reed (not included; see Accessories)
45" weaving width (actual width: 60", depth: 56")
incl. 400 Texsolv heddles
(The advance levers protrude 10" beyond the quoted depth,
and the treadles protrude 24" beyond.)
45" $2,900.00
Crating charge $75.00
We will charge actual UPS cost to ship. Ask for a quote.
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Rio Grande Navajo
Looms These looms are available in three sizes: Large (Rio Grande) (shown). Accommodates a 60" x 40" weaving, or (using up and over technique) 120" x 40". Actual loom size: 89" x 51". Alder wood, lightly finished with Danish oil. Large (Rio Grande) - $1000.00
Small (Rio Grande) (not shown), Accommodates a 38" x 28" weaving. Actual loom size: 58 1/2" x 38 1/2". Alder wood, lightly finished with Danish oil. Small (Rio Grande) $480.00 |
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Included are all the rods, dowels, ropes, and a sacking needle, as well as our favorite "Navajo" style fork and battens (see Accessories). The large and small loom are equipped with curved-end battens.
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Dovetail Navajo Loom Accomodates a weaving 30" x 30". Maple, lightly finished with Danish oil. Actual loom size is 49" x 40". Includes rods and dowels. Battens and fork extra. $308.00. Shipping $15.00. |
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Dovetail Student Navajo Loom Accomodates a weaving 17" x 17". Maple, unfinished. Actual loom size 28" x 26". Includes rods and dowels. Battens and fork extra. $150.00. Shipping $15.00. |
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Instructions: We recommend the books Weaving Spinning & Dyeing by Rachel Brown or Noel Bennett's Navajo Weaving Way.
Backstrap Loom
This is a smaller type of "primitive stick" loom which
is probably the most commonly used loom all over the world. It
is a portable loom that can be carried with you (with weaving
in progress) anywhere to set up under a tree or in a vacation
home attached to the porch rail or to a bedpost in the bedroom.
Wonderful projects can be woven on it from the very simplest for
the beginning weaver, to the most complex Bolivian double weaves
for the advanced weaver.
Our version of the backstrap loom is modelled after one used in Mexico & Guatemala with a leather backstrap. We provide the leather backstrap and all the carved dowels, ropes, batten and pick you will need, as well a pegged warping tool so you can wind your warps. A large toothed plastic comb is excellent for packing in the weft, but if you prefer you can use our Navajo fork (not included in price.) This loom will weave any length and up to 20" wide.
Instructions: We recommend The Weaving, Spinning, and Dyeing Book by Rachel Brown. The chapter on Backstrap weaving describes the simplest as well as most complex projects.
Backstrap Loom - $125.00
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School Loom Weaves a piece 20"h x 15"w A great loom for classes or
children. |
