How I get a clean shed on my counter balance loom - a good bye (for now) to my Glimakåkra Ideal!

In this video I go through the tips, tricks and techniques I have picked up for achieving a good clean shed on a traditional counterbalance loom. Hope it's helpful to those of you who have asked about this! They can be a bit tricky, but there are definitely ways!

[@christinadupuy897]

Your video has been so helpful, my mother bought me a Glimåkra Ideal in 1985 in Sweden, and I am just finally getting it set up now. Thanks for your tips and your photography of the loom which helps me see how and where things go. Looking forward to more videos of yours. Tack så mycket.

[@stellakyte6992]

thank you so much, I have a Dryad counter balance loom that I acquired in pieces! We managed to build it and replace the few missing bits, however it has been so difficult to find any information on how to set it up and get those shafts to balance beautifully. I am now inspired to go and put in place the tips you have given.

[@janemorrow6672]

Brilliant! That’s incredibly helpful. Thankyou

[@linfisher8360]

Thank you so much for these tips. I have a swedish 4 shaft counterbalance loom with instructions (technical school) to alter it to 6 shafts and am having so much trouble balancing it. The elastics seem a brilliant solution.

[@sarakaluczaweaving]

Om glad it's helpful! The balancing can be challenging especially for narrower warps, The elastics are such an easy and cheap game changer!

[@junec759]

I recently acquired a Glimakra Ideal loom and will be setting it up soon, but you kind of discouraged me due to the problems mentioned in this video. I noticed you have some kind of box on the top front of the loom as mine does not have it. Did you add that? Where did you put the raddle when warping? Sorry for the questions, but you are the first person I have seen who has this loom. Thanks in advance!

[@sarakaluczaweaving]

You shouldn't be discouraged! Think of it as prepared :D Honestly i never viewed it as much of an issue, all the looms around here are counter balance looms and finding the balance are just a part of the process. However i have found that weavers used to jack looms sometimes get a bit frustrated, and was asking me if I had any tips - hence this video. I love my ideal, and i love the face that the technology is the same for hundreds of years, it feels like being a part of history. The box is i light box, i think it's an optional accessory but it came with mine. In Sweden most people don't used raddles but a different method using the Reed (that i find cumbersome), but i tie my raddle to the back beam. I have also build a warping board that fits over the back of my loom - perfect height! Good luck with your Ideal!

[@junec759]

@@sarakaluczaweaving thank you

[@andreavanzwol]

Can you please tell me if there is a manual availible for a loom tike this. I am getting a loom from the Vera Bross brand but cant find much trough google. Am in the netherlands and here this kind of looms is not used often. I am a complete newby to floor loom weaving, i do have a rigid hedle loom and do tapestry weaving. But setting up and dressing the loom start to finish is what i am looking for. For the weaving itself i can find enough info and classes.
Thanks

[@sarakaluczaweaving]

There is a book called the Big book of weaving by Laila Lindholm that is originally written in Swedish and illustrated with pictures of a loom like this that is really helpful, i have the Swedish version and it was invaluable to me when learning how to handle the loom! Otherwise I'm note sure, but Glimåkra/Glimakra still exists as manufacturers so they should have manuals! (Sorry for missing your comment)

[@garybenson]

About 3 minutes into th-cam.com/video/05ZSwpXqvWg/w-d-xo.html the lady has blocks on the sides of her loom to tap the shaft bottom bars straight & stop the shafts tipping. I'm building a counterbalance loom but not finished yet so I've not tried it, but I thought I'd share:)

[@sarakaluczaweaving]

That's brilliant! When i reassemble my ideal i will try this. She has some beautiful sheds on eight shafts. Also, that velvet in the shuttle that came right after was a great bonus tip!