Mastodawn

The Ashford knitters loom has broken on its fifth project - that little plastic clippy nubble on the back beam brake is a part that is *designed to break*

It is also the main problem I have with weaving on this and the table loom as my arthritic hands can’t easily force those levers/clip over those metal pins.

Have to wait for a replacement if I can get one at all - the Ashford table loom brake is a different direction and size so I can’t even cannibalise my own looms for a repair.

Anyone have a temporary fix idea? Or a permanent upgrade?

Can I remove the project for safekeeping (leaving the heddle and back wooden stick in place perhaps) to retie on that stick to the back beam when a replacement arrives?

#weaving #AshfordLooms @weaving

Kris Howard 1d ago

Oh no! I don’t have a solution, but thank you for sharing. I borrowed one of these looms for a month and used it on a couple projects, and I wondered about those plastic bits. Good to know.

Kymberly 1d ago

@web_goddess yeah, I probably should have borrowed a few different brands before investing in the table loom - my hands hate this clippy thing..

I now also have a large Kromski Harp forte rigid heddle - the metal braking mechanism is so much nicer. But the loom itself feels flimsier and the heddles are definitely not as smooth or solid.

The Kromski was also broken on arrival - two of the wooden beam handles had split (the way they positioned the wood grain ensures it would always be a risk), but they quickly sent me replacements.

Deborah Pickett 1d ago

@Kymberly Agree, it’s daft to make something like that out of plastic. I wonder if you can get it printed in metal? It doesn’t need every curve; I presume it’s essentially an escapement with the teeth on the wheel.

Kymberly 1d ago

@futzle would metal make the clipping/unclipping easier? It’d definitely reduce the breakage risk.

In the mean time, woodworker’s clamps to the rescue (I suspect this might actually be my permanent solution, if I don’t need the warp to be full width! 😅)

Steveg58 1d ago

@Kymberly @weaving
I would be tempted to put it in lock position, drill a hole and insert a pin (maybe 2-3mm?).
Then just pull the pin to unlock the tension knob.

Kymberly 1d ago

@Steveg58 @weaving that was my thought too. I’ll need to see where there is enough wood to reposition the pin or if I need to move the lever. In the mean time, a small clasp clamp to the rescue!

neoluddite 1d ago

@Kymberly @Steveg58 @weaving I can't see exactly how the beam brake is attached, but you might be able to put a bolt through it and do it up tightly enough that it'll hold just with friction. A piece of something relatively non-skid as a washer between the brake and the wooden side might help it hold if it's still too slippy.

A longer handle - maybe a short piece of pipe over the top might help using the lever with arthritis, but might get in the way?

(It looks like a clean break, and you could probably just super glue it, but there's not much point if you're already having trouble with it and it looks like it's just going to break again.)

Marta 🌿🍃1d ago

@Kymberly I expected something so breakable to be already available as a model, but I haven't found any so far.
One listing on Etsy says it's for both table and rigid heddle, but maybe it's different between rigid heddle and knitters as loom models by Ashford? I wish they'd given them names like most manufacturers do.
I'd be tempted to use a hole with a pin solution suggested above since you don't like the original anyway.

Kymberly 1d ago

@triffen Yeah, Ashford's knitter's loom is different to both the table loom, the rigid heddle, and the sample-it loom (their other models). I can get a replacement from my normal shop easily enough (a kit with the plastic wheel and metal pin -- those things don't break!?!)

But I agree with you, right now, I'm going to see how the clamp works and look at the removable pin solution, perhaps with a little magnet in the depths to make sure it doesn't fall out when moving the loom around.

@Kymberly @weaving
3D-printing?

Kymberly 1d ago

@nika64 Definitely an option for designing a different solution with a removable pin if needed -- would a resin printer work stability/strength wise? I've never considered printing structural components on our resin printer ...

J. Rosenbaum (they/them)17h ago

@Kymberly @nika64 you could do structural on resin if it is very well cured and 100% fill. But if you have FDM you could possibly print a few in ABS or PETG or even carbon filled PLA. I can print some for you and send them if you want to try. I have PETG on hand.

J. Rosenbaum (they/them)17h ago

@Kymberly @nika64 resin can be brittle, especially if exposed to sunlight over time, and I don't know enough to know how much impact this part takes.

Kymberly 9h ago

@minxdragon There's an awful lot of force on that nubble as it shoves past the metal pin, so I'd guess resin would not be strong/flexible enough (and is exposed to sunlight as I weave in glass doorways - good light!)

Thank you! At the moment, I think I'm going to trial solutions that don't require that forceful shoving to save my hands - removable pin, clamp, bungee cord to engage the pawl.

WoodWonk 1d ago

@Kymberly @weaving Oh no! I have an Ashford table loom with the same type of mechanism and I cringe every time I have to flip those levers.

Your spring clamp seems like a reasonable temporary fix. The other thought I had was to wrap a rubber band around the handle of the pawl and the hand wheel to keep the pawl engaged.

Kymberly 1d ago

@woodwonk Ooo... rubber band/tie might also work on the table loom - the back beam is too tricky to secure the brake with clamps or install a removable pin. But some bungee-cord-sprung-tie mechanism could work!

@Kymberly @weaving I’d say write to Ashford! I think they should send you a replacement without charge.

Lisa Makes Stuff (she/her)1d ago

@Kymberly @weaving I hate it when essential parts break. I hope you're able to get it repaired quickly and easily!