Hello all! I have finally realized my dream and acquired a Glimakra standard. It is an older model and has been used but is still a lovely loom. It has a few nicks and scratches and I wonder if anyone has advice as to how to refurbish these and get the loom back to it's beautiful self again. I have woven one project on it and had no trouble at all. I AM having a hard time making the transition from jack warps and tie ups to countermarch tie ups and warping. Any advice you have to give will be gratefully accepted!  Many thanks in advance.

Comments

jlread (not verified)

To the wonderful world of Glim.....after a few warps and pattern changes..you'll be hooked.  I just got a new to me 135cm and 'spiffed' it up with olive oil and 0000 steel wool, works like a charm...

cottageweaver (not verified)

Congratulations on your new loom! I'm the 3rd owner of my Standard, and it came with some nicks and dents (and I've put a few more on it).  I just left it alone!  I dust it and clean off threads and 'fuzz' between projects, and vacuum under the treadles. 

Glimakra looms do have a finish even though yours may not look like it now.  You can wipe the surface off with Murphy's oil soap, but I wouldn't add any polishes, waxes or oils.  The newer Glims are put through a process that reminds me of shrink wrap to put the final finish on.  Here's a link to Glimakra USA regarding loom maintenance:  http://glimakrausa.com/loom-construction-and-care/ 

Lois Foerster

Thanks so much for your suggestions! The Murphys wood soap sounds like a good idea and I will try the olive oil on a couple of spots that are the most egregious. I have wanted one of these looms for so many years! Now if I can only become more comfortable with the tie ups I will be in weaving heaven

Cottageweaver, thanks for the link. I will visit it tonight.

 

jlread (not verified)

The olive oil and 0000 steel wool....the oil is only a libricant for the steel wool and does not penetrate the wood...you wipe off the residue. This process removes only a minuscule amount of 'yuk' surface accumulation and does no harm to the finish. I prefer to use nothing mixed with water/soap

Joanne Hall

Hi Lois,

Here is the link for the instructions on the Glimakra website:
http://glimakrausa.com/learning-looms-weaving/intro-to-countermarch-and-counterbalance-looms/

If this long link does not work, go to the home page and click on Learning about looms.  Then click on Basic Loom info.  You will find four files.  The first one is basic information that would apply to any traditional loom.  The second is on counterbalance tie-ups and the third is on countermarch.

glimakrausa.com

Joanne

Lois Foerster

Okay.. that makes sense. I'll definitely try it. Thanks again!

Lois Foerster

Hi Joanne,

  Went out to the website last night. Loads of good information! I'll be spending some more time there for sure.  Thanks!

Nancy Curtiss (not verified)

Vavstuga  and Becky Ashenden (http://www.vavstuga.com/) have an excellent tie-up kit, as well their famous "flippy book" that will help you set up your loom either as counterbalance or countermarch, and it's picture by picture.  They are both excellent tools, and I would recommend them highly.

Lois Foerster

Thanks Nancy,  I will head over to the site and have a look. Picture by picture may be just the thing I need. LOL!

Lois

DAYe Weaver

I have an old standard as well. When I brought it done out of the attic I washed it with Murphy's Oil Soap and then lightly oiled it with lemon oil. I haven't done anything else to it for 3 years besides dusting. I figure the dents and dings are history and just leave them.
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