jack looms
- Scope note
- Rising shed looms that use jacks, or lifting devices, attached to pivots and controlled by treadles to raise numerous shafts individually without affecting the size of the shed. These looms typically comprise four or more shafts, each of which are controlled by two jacks that are activated when a user pushes the treadle with their foot. After the treadle is pushed, one end of the jack is raised while the other end is lowered thus causing the shaft to rise. Unlike other looms, however, some of the shafts cannot be controlled by the weaver because they are not tied to a treadle; these shafts are often weighted so that they can remain lowered against the pull of the warp. While jack looms are both portable and popular for novice weavers, their weighted shafts can cause limitations for certain weaving tasks.
- Date of creation: 02-Dec-2024
Accepted term: 02-Dec-2024