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

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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.

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Kymberly

@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!

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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.)