Harrisville Designs T-Series 4/8-Shaft

When the delivery arrives, you will find everything you need for the finished loom in the kit:

• the cut, sanded wooden parts made of Hard Rock Maple
• four or eight shafts as components for assembly
• approx. 600 (T4) or 800 (T8) steel heddles
• one reed in your chosen dent size
• the snap chains for the treadle-shaft connection
• the Floating Lamm mechanism
• wheels for the assembled loom
• two lease sticks
• the English assembly instructions with all steps illustrated

If the English instructions concern you: We will help you by phone through every step where you get stuck, or send you translation aids in advance.

Consultation & Ordering

Before you decide, a phone call is worthwhile. Floor looms of this size are a long-term investment, and the "T4 or T8" question depends more on your plans. We will take the time for you at +49 30 23257079 (no worries, we do speak English) or kundenservice@webstuhl.shop

You can find weaving yarns of suitable thickness in our Weaving Yarns category - for the T-series, many opt for Maurice Brassard 8/2 cotton. Shuttles, bobbins, and bobbin winders can be found in the Accessories section.

Questions & Answers

T-series or A-series - what's the difference? The A-series is the compact workshop loom: easy to transport, ideal for scarves and smaller fabrics, perfect if you rarely weave wider than 50 cm. The T-series is the studio loom: almost double the weaving width and the Floating Lamm System for multi-shaft sessions. Rule of thumb: if you regularly want to weave blankets, table linen, or fabric by the yard, jump straight into the T-series.

Is the Floating Lamm System really worth it? With four shafts, you'll hardly notice it - but with a switch to 6 or 8 shafts and wider fabrics, you'll feel it immediately. The system distributes the load evenly when treadling and relieves your leg of the uneven pulling that you would otherwise feel in your hip after 30 minutes. Anyone who weaves a lot in the long term won't want to do without this detail.

T4 or T8 - which variant for me? Write down what you want to weave in the next two years. Are they predominantly simple weaves, scarves, and blankets? Then the T4 is more than enough. Do damask, double weave, or a desire for your own designs appear? Then choose the T8; upgrading from 4 to 8 shafts later is possible, but hardly worth it financially. The T4 retains its resale value very well - Harrisville looms have been traded used in weaving circles for decades.

Table loom or floor loom? Table looms (e.g., Louët Jane) are compact and good for learning, but you operate the shafts by hand. With a floor loom, you control them with your feet, leaving both hands free for the shuttle and beater. This is faster, more even, and more relaxed. If you regularly weave longer fabrics, a floor loom is a real upgrade.

How much floor space do I need? The loom measures approximately 107 × 81 cm (T4) or 107 × 86 cm (T8) when unfolded. Plan at least 80 cm of free space in front of the loom for the weaving bench. When folded, the depth shrinks to 33 cm (T4) or 46 cm (T8). You can roll it against a wall, behind a door, or into a niche, even with the warp on.

How does the kit get? Direct import from Harrisville, New Hampshire. We bundle orders so you don't incur individual shipping costs. You will receive tracking information as soon as the delivery leaves our warehouse.

Do I need a professional toolbox? No. Screwdrivers, Allen wrenches, a hammer, and a little patience are enough. What you really need: a clear table or floor, good light, and ideally an afternoon. Tip: it's more relaxed to build it with two people.

Questions and Answers: Delivery, Assembly & Maintenance

Is the assembly manual available in English? Harrisville Designs supplies the manual in English - step-by-step illustrated, with clearly labeled components.

How do I maintain the loom so it lasts a long time? Hard Rock Maple is a grateful wood: once a year, dust it with a dry cloth and every few years refresh it with a thin application of wood oil (e.g., walnut oil or pure linseed oil, not hard oil) - the loom doesn't need more than that. Moving parts like the friction brake and the lamm bearings occasionally benefit from a touch of pure beeswax. Steel heddles and the reed should remain dry, so do not place them in rooms with constant humidity (e.g., unventilated cellars).

How loud is the loom in the living room? Quieter than most expect. The suspended shafts and the Floating Lamm System remove the typical clatter and banging sounds from the movement. When weaving, you mainly hear the shuttle gliding over the warp and the soft beat of the beater - comparable to an old typewriter, not a workshop. In an apartment building, this is unproblematic during the day.

Can I upgrade from a T4 to a T8 later? Theoretically yes - Harrisville Designs offers conversion kits. In practice, it's rarely worth it: you'll replace shafts, treadles, lamms, and part of the connection system, and in the end, you'll financially end up roughly where you would have been if you had bought a T8 directly. If you foresee weaving multi-shaft weaves, it's smarter to go for the T8 right away. The T4 retains its resale value very well - Harrisville looms have been traded used in weaving circles for decades.

Which shuttles fit the 36" model? You need boat shuttles with a length of about 30-50cm (12-20 inches). We carry suitable shuttles and bobbins in our assortment. For rug weaving, a ski shuttle is also worthwhile, as it cleanly guides thicker weft threads.

Do I need a weaving bench - and which one? Yes, an ergonomic weaving bench makes the difference between an hour of relaxed weaving and a sore back. Seat height and depth should match the height of your breast beam (66 cm or 26" for the T-series). We are happy to advise you on suitable benches - some weavers also get along well with a height-adjustable piano stool.