Both the front and back of a Leclerc Artisat weaving loom can be folded in to reduce the physical depth of the loom making it take up less floor space. This makes it easier to store or transport the loom and the loom depth shrinks from 32 to 14 inches (4 shaft) or 43 to 17 inches (8 shaft). The loom can be fully folded even while warped in the middle of a project. The video here demonstrates the folding process.
The loom shown in this guide is the 4 shaft version but the 8 shaft version can be folded in much the same way. If the 8 shaft model has Back-Hinge Treadles the process is basically the same but requires some extra steps in the beginning to remove the treadles.
The first step is to remove the Treadles. The Treadle Hooks are first removed disconnecting the Treadle Cords and allowing the Treadles to drop to the floor. On older looms with the metal treadle support brackets the Treadle Set can be just lifted out. Looms with the newer wooden Treadle Support Brackets may require that the screws holding the brackets be loosened so the Treadle set can be removed. On these looms, the Treadle Mount Bracket can also be rotated 180 degrees so the long part faces inward to reduce the overall depth.
NOTE:The old metal Treadle Support brackets can be upgraded to the newer Wooden Brackets if the weaver wants the Treadles to be locked in place. This requires a new Treadle Rod as well and more information can be found here.
The Take-up Motion Handle is held horizontally in the weaving position by a small latch on the underside of the upper frame bar. This latch can be rotated in toward the frame to allow the Take-up motion handle to be lowered. Note that various versions of this latch, both metal and nylon, have been used over the years so it may look slightly different.
When in the weaving position, the front frame of the loom is locked in place using a pair of metal Frame Braces or what Leclerc calls "hooks". Before folding the loom, these braces need to be disconnected. This is done by unscrewing and removing the wingnut attaching the brace to the front post. Once removed, the wingnut can be reinstalled so it is not lost. Both the left and right brace should be released.
To keep it from getting in the way when the loom is folded, the wooden Brake Treadle should be raised so it stands vertically.
The rear Thread Beam for the Artisat is held in position by another set of metal Frame Braces or "Hooks". A notch in the end closest to the front of the loom fits over a screw in the side of the vertical castle. By loosening the screw on both sides of the loom using a large square screwdriver, the folding back beam can be moved closer into the loom frame. A middle notch in the Frame Brace can be used to hold the back beam in the partially folded position. Do not tighten up the screws yet. Note that very early versions of the Artisat did not have this center notch in the Frame Brace. In this case just loosen the screws and leave the back beam fully extended.
If the loom is warped, as the loom folds up in this step and the next, the now very loose warp can be wound on either the warp or cloth beam to remove the slack. This can be done during this step and/or the next step.
The front frame can now be folded in to the castle. This is done by pushing the beater up against the castle and lifting the front thread beam. As it is raised, the whole frame will fold inwards until the rear Frame Brace on each side can be latched on to the screw on the front post. This will also fully fold in the Back Beam frame as well.
While folding the frame, make sure the Cloth beam pawl stays engaged with the Cloth beam ratchet so the beam does no unwind. The Cloth Beam can also be rotated by hand to take up the slack in the warp as the loom's depth decreases. Once the Rear Frame Braces are latched on the screws in the front posts, these screws can be tightened to lock the loom in the folded position.
The loom is now folded for storage. It can be unfolded to weave by following this process in the reverse order. If storing the loom out of the way, we recommend positioning the front of the folded loom toward the wall as this is the most likely way the loom will tip over if accidentally pushed. The Treadles with the Treadle Hooks re-installed can be placed out of the way standing up in the space between the front of the loom and the castle.
The 8 shaft version with front-hinged treadles can be folded up in a similar fashion while the 8 shaft with back-hinged treadles has a few extra steps to disconnect and remove the treadles plus to fold up the back frame.
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NEED HELP? Contact us for help in answering questions about these products or for help recommending a loom matched to your weaving level and needs. See our Leclerc Loom Comparison Chart for more help in deciding which loom is right for you. |
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