Sun 14 Jun 2009
Posted by Tropical Twister under Articles , My Looms , Weaving
[4] Comments
Restoring the Kessenich 4/4 floor loom is progressing. I need to resew the apron to reinforce where stiching is coming undone and then remount the aprons. Instead of new, I chose to wash the aged canvas aprons. They are still strong (although aged looking) because I think they complement the loom. The loom originally must have had wire heddles as I received a fist full of those with the loom. Apparently, they had been replaced with flat steel heddles at some point. Some of those have reusted and I’ve decided to replace al the heddles with texsolv heddles because the heddles won’t rust and they’re quiet. They’re in transit from Louet so “I’m a waiting”. I’m also waiting for a stainless steel reed from Glimarka to replace the heavily rusted reed. Everything else looks good, least wise to my eyes. See what you think?
Oh, and that antique sewing machine frame to the right. I picked that up at our annual church garage sale two years ago. I’m planning to drag that up to the mountains as well (yes, my husband must love me! LOL). I’m planning to turn it into a table. The treadly moves the wheel and it works.
Tropical Twister
I have 5 Kessenich looms, and they are just wonderful. I have flat steel heddles on all the looms, as these are jack looms I am guessing that the weight of the heddles is needed to keep the shafts from floating too much…just my thoughs!
Tell me please, what are the outside height dimensions of your reed? 5″?
Tropical Twister
How are you replacing the aprons on your loom? I have a Tools of the Trade Loom and each apron has 50 carpet tacks on the beams. I don’t know how to get them out.
I didn’t replace the aprons. New aprons are available for this loom through Kessenich but I choose to keep the originals. They were attached by bolts and then secured with bolts. I removed the hardware and then the aprons. I reinforced the stitching on my sewing machine, then washed with soap and bleach the aprons. Most of the age stains were removed but kept the feel of being original. I think you’re just going to pull the tacks and start over after washing.