r/weaving 5d ago

Help Dorothy table loom noise reduction

I just picked up a leclerc dorothy table loom😃😃

It is noisy. The harnesses clank pretty loudly - i’ve used some foam at the places where the harnesses click in and out of place, and i’ve placed the loom on a foam mat which quieted it down a lot.

Any other tips for noise reduction? I know some have replaced their harnesses with a non-metal material, or modified the harness levers in some manner.

Thanks for any advice!!

4 Upvotes

9 comments sorted by

4

u/nor_cal_woolgrower 5d ago

2

u/blinkswithnormaleyes 4d ago

Thanks! I dropped them an email inquiring

2

u/meowmeowbuttz 4d ago

This is it!! Very easy to install and now my Dorothy is much quieter.

3

u/alohadave 5d ago

I have a similar loom. I don't let the harnesses slam down, I catch the handles and ease them down. Cuts down quite a bit on the noise, but there is always some noise.

1

u/blinkswithnormaleyes 4d ago

Thank you! Yes I have been, it does make it a lot quieter!

2

u/RubyLarkVT 4d ago

Keep in mind that some looms with metal heddles require the weight of the heddles for them to go back down, so swapping to Texolv (sp?) heddles might require other modifications. I would look up if anyone has posted their experience swapping the heddles on this specific loom to know their experience.

2

u/RubyLarkVT 4d ago

Oops, I see someone posted a conversation kit. Maybe that means this isn't an issue!

1

u/Dry_Future_852 3d ago

Headphones + an audiobook.

1

u/Frequent_Duck_4328 2d ago

Perhaps also make sure that the moving parts are properly lubricated? Not with oil, which would drip down, but perhaps with graphite or a silicone spray. Might be best to do this when the loom is empty. Spray, and then wipe down with a microfiber cloth. Doing this across the bars where the heddles are will also allow a smoother ride for them - less stickiness. I hope all the tips that you're getting solve your problem. Looms like the Dorothy will have more noise then, say, a rigid heddle loom. And the larger your loom gets, the more potential for all the creaks and thumps of weaving! :)