The Accidental Smallholder Forum
Food & crafts => Crafts => Topic started by: Bionic on November 16, 2016, 09:26:12 am
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I am thinking about buying myself a new 32 inch ashford table loom but can't decide between a 4 or 8 shaft one.
There is only about £50 difference between the two so logic would say get the 8 shaft but would I really use 8 shafts?
I am not a great weaver and am wondering is 8 would be a step too far.
Any of you great weavers out there got an opinion?
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I am not a great weaver, just a beginner, so not sure how valid my view will be! I have a four shaft Weavemaster I bought from eBay, and so far it has met my beginners needs. However, if I were to progress I would move up to eight shafts, as it just gives you greater flexibility. My weaving teacher is very keen on having binder threads to give a firm selvedge. With eight shafts you can work a four shaft pattern plus have your binder threads on separate shafts for instance. I rpthink you need eight for double sided cloth etc. I would go for eight, it just gives you the greater scope for developing your skills, although many weavers produce complex designs with only four!
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You could get the 4-shaft and never run out of patterns to weave.
But yes, if you want to do doubleweave (double width, or a tube, and so on) in patterns other than tabby / plainweave, then you would need 8 shafts. And there are, of course, many more gazillions of patterns available to you with the extra shafts.
If you can afford the £50, I would most definitely get the 8-shaft. If you've got competing uses for the £50, though, then you might want to think about it a bit harder.
It's also worth mentioning that the Ashford stand and treadles a) only offer direct tie-up (one treadle per shaft), and b) only offer treadles for 4 shafts. So if you'd been planning to use the loom foot-driven, the extra 4 shafts would still need to be hand-manipluated. (I suspect this doesn't apply in this case, but thought I'd add it for any subsequent readers coming across this thread.)
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I have a 24" 8-shaft and a 16" 4-shaft with stand. The latter is for sampling, small projects and for taking out and about, and I decided I would get the available secondhand 4-shaft one, as most workshops and so on are likely to be fine on only 4 shafts so as to be applicable to most people. I think I would always want 8 shafts for a wider loom, just to give that flexibility. Plus I know I want to do doubleweave twills :)
ETA my sister now has a 16-shaft. I'm not sure if I'm envious, or just think my head would explode! :D
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I would say go for the higher number of shafts. You have far more versatility.
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Thanks Lesley, seems to be unanimous for the 8 shaft and the good news is OH has said he will buy my loom for Christmas :)
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Looking forward to seeing what you weave on that Bionic :wave:
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Thanks Lesley, seems to be unanimous for the 8 shaft and the good news is OH has said he will buy my loom for Christmas :)
Woohooooo! I should hang on to him, Sally, if he buys you gifts like that. ;)