Hi -- I've been weaving on a Schacht 4 shaft loom and pining for an 8 shaft. Watching Jane day after day, I've fallen for the Spring II loom. I'm 71, in pretty good shape -- I get down on the floor to tie up the Schacht but the Spring is pretty complicated to tie up. If anyone cares to weigh in I would be grateful.
Thanks,
Tamar Smith
Northampton, MA

Tie up is not complicated but it does take a bit longer since all shafts are attached (rising and lowering) rather than just rise or fall. The ease of weaving makes it totally worth it. Love my Spring!

Ditto. I’ve seen people create little saw horse like stands then lift the spring onto so it’s higher and easier to tie up. The tie up can get tedious but it’s easy to treadle. I had a MacComber before and it made my hips sore.

You could try the David though it doesn’t come in 12 harness. Half the tie ups.

Hi Tamar- I have the big. Cousin to the spring (a Delta loom). I had hip replacement surgery 3 years ago and am now 67. I really didn’t think I could do it, but with the help of a pillow on the floor to sit on, I got much stronger and now am also much faster with the tie ups. I am very encouraged at my progress and if you are fit, I wouldn’t shy away from it. I like how it has improved my physical fitness and I hope for many years to come. I am excited for you- nice loom!

Hi Tamar,
Life is too short! Buy that loom! With all of the YouTube videos available, you can conquer the complicated tie ups. Are you a member of a weaving guild? If you should have problems with physically getting down to do the tie ups, maybe you could ‘recruit’ a younger member for assistance in exchange for a nice home cooked dinner or a bottle of wine. I say GO FOR IT!!!

Btw Tamar, I also suggest you go for it. My reply wasn’t meant to be discouraging. I have Spring as well;)

Life's too short to not do what makes you happy. Remember though, prices go up for the new year !!

I’m 69 yrs old and My 1st weaving experience was Feb 2023…I struggled with a Rigid Heddle, 4 Shaft Table but most of all understanding all the weaving patterns, lingos, etc. I joined a guild and took weaving 1 & 2 and although all the members are lovely people, I needed more one on one. I found Jane…joined and watched 3 seasons, then rewatched season 1 3’x before taking the plunge. I turn 70 in Aug and bought a brand new David II loom. 8 shaft. I did my first warp, 6 yards…practice based on 1st pattern in Season 2. I hummed the mantra practicing with my shuttles, moving my feet, just getting accustomed to my “first and only loom”. Monday I start the first project in Season …Black White, Red Asymmetry ….here I come…..Take the plunge…buy the loom…and don’t let age stopped you….

Hi Cynthia,
What a nice note! And it turns out our experiences ;have been similar -- I started about 18 months ago with a rigid heddle and it whetted my appetite. I am going to go ahead and get an 8 shaft - although maybe not for a few months and I think I've settled on The David loom also -- The Spring II is probably more loom than I can really handle. Not absolutely sure, either way. But in any case, I love your attitude. I hope to be learning and weaving into my late 80's. Thank you again for writing.

Why on earth would you be to old? Enjoy life! and if weaving is what makes you happy go for it. I'm (age 60) the proud owner of a new David 3 and what I love about the Louet looms are that they are very manageable. and easy to work with.

Tie-up option for countermarch looms to keep you off the floor.
Here are 2 links that display this method. I have converted and it has been working for me. If reaching under the treadles is a challenge for you, you might give it a try. I will add that before I peg the actual tie-up for any given project, I place a box under the treadles which raises them to my preferred height (for me, level with the bottom edge of the footrest). This takes the pressure/weight off of the cords making it easy for me to insert the pegs into the cords.
https://kayfaulkner.wordpress.com/2018/01/05/december-2017-a-loom-and-a-convenient-treadle-tie-up-method-for-countermarche-looms/

Tamara.

First, maybe watch more video's from Louet on the David Loom. Louet has an amazing video on how to assemble the David loom and I found it extremely useful. In fact I watched it a couple times. It also enforced that I needed help to assemble and to pick my location for weaving too. I selected my upstairs bedroom, next to a window and can watch the palm trees, big blue skies of Arizona.

Second, the access to the "treadles" is amazingly easily with a David....just remove the front beam bar (as Jane showed in her video). I use a stool to sit inside or sit on floor with a cushion. I actually found it easier to access the treadles than any of the floor looms at my guild.

Third. Connect with Louet either thru their website or on Facebook for help will all your concerns. I had to reach out a few times during assembly and they were all amazing. I also watch Jane's video about the David Loom a few more times too. It's amazing how much I missed....

Finally, I did a practice project based on Jane's Season 2, Episode 2 Asymmetry with my yarn before I start with the Kits for Season 2. I wowed my neighbors. and myself. Working the treadles, different pressure on beating, moving the shuttle , doggie go home and selvedges was my big focus. When unsure of about "how to" ran to my iPad to rewatch Jane.
This weekend I rewatched Season 1 Video Asymmetry and Season 2 Color & Weave Gamp Sample 2 - Episode 2.4 and more "lights went off". I was feeling little overwhelmed rewatching but my neighbor who's a big sewer, stitcher etc told me she watches some videos up to 10 times to learn.

As I said in first message, my biggest challenge is understanding the patterns. and By George I think i Got it".

I bought the Spring ll a couple of years ago and am in my early 60’s but do have a sore hip. Fortunately I was able to try both the David and Spring before finally deciding on the Spring ll. For me it was the ease and very light treadling that swayed my decision, thinking it might be easier on my hip as I age! I already have to get down on the floor to tie up any loom so another few minutes wasn’t going to be a deal breaker. After a couple of times the double tie up becomes easier to understand and I haven’t found that to be a problem at all. I have also come to really appreciate the floating breast beam. The ability to go to 12 shafts is also there but doubtful I will take the plunge! I would recommend trying each loom first if at all possible. I think it also comes down to cost as the Spring is more money. Either way both are lovely looms and will weave up something equally beautiful and worth purchasing at any age!
Jacqueline

Thank you for your thoughtful reply. I am leaning towards the SpringII but I have decided to continue to weave on my four shaft for another 6 months before I do anything. I am such a novice that I have a lot to learn on the Schacht.

I’m closer to 70 than 60😉 I bought a Spring II a couple years ago and I love it. It was my first floor loom. I had no idea how to do the tie up but watch Jane and had no problems. She shows you exactly how to dress the loom with ease. I was also quite new to weaving. If you buy it I don’t think you’ll regret it.