The Counterbalance mechanisms create a shed by both raising and lowering warp threads which means the amount of warp thread deflection required to create the same shed is half that required by the Jack mechanism which only raises warp threads. For that reason the shed on the two looms is large and easier to create. Tie-ups on the Counterbalance loom are very simple with 6 treadles that can be tied to any number of the 4 shafts to lower them and raise the others when the treadle is depressed.

The Beater height on the Mira II loom is adjustable to allow the weaver to position the warp in relation to the reed and the shuttle race to maximize the shed size. In addition the neutral point of the shafts is adjustable by shortening or lengthening the cord on the built-in Shed Regulator which automatically moves the roller mechanism at the top to keep the shed centered on the reed even in unbalanced weaves

A video of the loom in operation can be viewed here.

While it would have been easier and less costly to simply use a 40 tooth ratchet and one less pawl, the reduced height and thinner more shallow teeth would have greatly reduced the wheel's strength and would make it easier for the cloth beam to slip. You can see the Triple Pawl system in action and hear it's distictive metallic clink in this video.

As well as increasing the strength by using metal, the weight of the pawls allows them to use gravity to lock in place. It also means that once a project is finished, the weaver can simple flip the three pawls up out of the way and unroll the fabric off the free-turning cloth beam. It also makes cloth beam removal a cinch!

The Leclerc Friction Brake coupled with Leclerc's Triple Pawl Ratchet Warp Advance system enables the weaver to easily apply anything from a small to a very large amount of tension on the warp threads and Leclerc's unique Warp Beam Advance Control system stops the Warp Beam from unravelling the warp threads when the brake is released.

Unlike the Ratchet and Pawl mechanism used on some looms, the Leclerc Friction Brake allows the warp beam to be locked in an almost infinite number of positions rather than those dictated by the number of teeth on the ratchet wheel. The Friction Brake also eliminates the problem of ratchet wheel teeth breaking. When a large amount of tension is applied in a Ratchet/Pawl system, releasing the brake requires the pawl to be raised up along the ratchet wheel tooth, ultimately applying pressure to the weak narrow tip of the tooth which can cause it to snap off. Leclerc converted away from this type of brake back in the 1950's but it is still being used by some loom makers.

The heavy duty Steel Brake Drum and the special metal Brake Circle are much more expensive than the lower cost wooden brake drum and wire loop system or simple ratchet brake design other manufacturers use but produces a stronger, more durable, dependable and functional design which is why there are many Leclerc looms with their original friction brake still working hard after decades and decades of use!

On Mira II models, the Batten Sley has an additional piece of wood attached to it called the "Shuttle Race". Fastened on an angle, it provides a solid base for the lower warp threads to help support the shuttle on its path through the shed. It is held on using a set of screws and can be removed if the weaver does not want to use it.

The optional Raddle Leclerc makes is designed with the same profile as the reed to allow it to be installed and held in the beater during the threading process. It can also be mounted to the front or back beams of the looms using a set of metal clips that are included.

The vertical position of the warp threads as they travel through the reed is important for optimal loom operation and maximum shed size. Leclerc makes this easy to adjust using a set of Mounting Plates at the bottom of the Beater Swords on the Mira II models. By undoing the pair of bolts, the beater can be raised or lowered to position the reed and shuttle race in relation to the warp. Tightening the pair of bolts on each side locks the beater height.

The Mira II Counterbalance model also lets the warp threads be positioned but does so dynamically using the Shed Regulator mechanism built into the loom which lifts and lowers the warp threads based on the shafts being used each pick.

On the Mira II, the heddle support rods are attached to the shaft frame on either side using Shaft Frame Spring Clips. While Heddle Support Rods do flex, they are held rigid to the Shaft Frame while weaving using a pair of Heddle Support Bar Spring Hooks in the middle of the shaft frame at the top and bottom. During the threading process, releasing these hooks removes the tension from the heddles making them easy for the weaver to move side to side. The difference in tension on Texsolv heddles with and without the Spring Hooks engaged is demonstrated in this video.

Adding and removing heddles with shaft frames is also much, much easier. The Shaft Frame Spring Clips at one end of the shaft are unhooked which allows access to the ends of the heddle support rods and the heddles threaded on them while the Clip at the other end holds the heddle rod in place.

Because the Mira II uses shaft frames instead of simpler Heddle Bars, the weaver is not forced to pick one style of heddle. With Leclerc looms they are free to pick the type they are comfortable with and can even switch later if they change their mind. This means they can choose Texsolv, Wire, Inserted Eye, Flat Steel and metal Repair Heddles and even mix all types on a single shaft if they want. They all fit!

Unbalanced weaves on a standard Counterbalance loom can sometimes result in a reduction in the size of the shed making it harder for the weaver to throw the shuttle accurately. While a balanced weave (two shafts up and two down) keeps the warp shed centered on the reed, the movement of 3 shafts in one direction tends to displace the upper and lower warp threads in that direction moving the shed itself up or down. This movement can cause a greater tension on the top or bottom warp threads as well as potentially allowing one to hit the the upper or lower edge of the reed. Either of these actions may cause the shed size to decrease.

The Leclerc Shed Regulator corrects this by automatically sensing an unbalanced distribution of the shafts and lifts or lowers the whole shaft assembly to keep the shed centered on the reed avoiding shed size restriction of the warp threads when the touch the reed edges. On balanced weaves it is not activated and as no effect on the loom. Once installed, the Shed Regulator operates automatically and the weaver can switch from balanced to unbalanced weaves without having to make adjustments to the mechanism. See a detailed description of the Shed Regulator functionality here.

To disable the Shed Regulator, the mechanism can be locked by inserting a small steel pin in the pulley at one end. This makes the loom operate like a standard Fanny Counterbalance loom.

The Mira II heavy duty 3 1/2 inch warp and cloth beams coupled with the Apron and metal Warp Rod system can support very high uniform warp tensions across the width of the loom. The heavy duty metal double pawl system and Friction brake allow the weaver to easily apply and maintain this tension while weaving. The Counterbalance mechanism used on the Mira II looms also make it easy for the weaver to get a good shed with this kind of warp tension.

The 1 1/2" x 2 1/2" Hard Maple beams used in the frame and held together with metal bolts reinforcing the mortise and tenon joints ensure that the loom can handle the forces applied by the warp and the beating. Looms that use a lighter frame, simple screw or barrel nut fasteners, like Ikea furniture, will see deterioration over time. This is why most loom manufacturers have a more sturdy loom model for rug weavers.

One of the most important specifications to look at when comparing looms is the actual weight that helps to determine what "class" the loom is. A heavier loom usually indicates a higher degree of quality and strength and also helps with the problem of the lighter looms that "travel" across the floor or whose rocking motion cancels out the weaver's attempt to produce the heavier beating force required for rug weaving. The loom even has a Weighted Beater option to magnify the force the weaver can apply to beat the warp.

The Mira II is an extremely flexible loom able to handle everything from fine textiles to high tension rug weaving on a continuous basis!

With that in mind, Leclerc Reeds are calibrated in dents per inch, Leclerc Raddles divide the warp into 1/2 inch groups, Sectional Warping Beams allow warp to be wound 1 or 2 inches at a time and Leclerc Counters for their Spool/Bobbin Winders and Tension Box let you know how many yards have been wound. Even the weaving widths of the various models of Mira II are described in inches ... and as a little bonus, give you a few more inches than their metric counterparts!

Converting everything to and from metric and adapting to metric spacing on reeds and raddles may not seem like a big issue, but any little extra step when repeated over and over increases the chance of mistakes occuring and can take some of the joy out of weaving.

To facilitate Sectional Warping on their looms, Leclerc uses an octagonal Warp Beam that can be used for conventional warping with an Apron and Warp Rods or can be converted to Sectional Warping by attaching a set of 4 Sectional Beam Rakes that divide the beam up into these 1 or 2 inch sections. The Back Beam is designed to allow their Tension Box, that maintains the tension on all the warp threads being wound on, to be mounted to. A Spool Rack sitting behind the loom is used to hold the yarn tubes and/or spools that feed the warp through the Tension Box onto the Warp Beam.

Custom metal parts are used in places like beam ends, brake and warp tensioning mechanisms where large forces are applied. Durable non-sliding polyvinyl footpads are attached to the base of all the loom feet to reduce movement while protecting the floor. Nylon parts are only used where soft bumpers or glides are required.

A pair of heavy duty canvas aprons are provided for the warp and cloth beams to reduce loom waste by letting the weaver use as much of the warp as possible. 4 heavy duty steel rods and the cords to attach them to the aprons are included.

Leclerc also includes a Boat Shuttle, Bobbins, a Reed/Heddle Hook, Heddles and a Steel Reed with the loom as well as assembly instructions and their basics guide to weaving called Warp and Weave.

To get their prices down, some loom manufacturers remove items that then have to be purchased by the weaver separately. Some looms actually come with half the number of heddles that are required, don't include a boat shuttle (or replace it with a low cost stick shuttle) or don't include such basics as a reed/heddle hook.

Local manufacturing also means that parts, tools and accessories for Leclerc are fast and easy to get because dealers are not waiting for the North American distributor to have enough to order to justify the "next container" shipment.