Ashford Jack Loom - 8-Shaft Folding Floor Loom, 38 In

The Ashford Jack Loom is an 8-shaft, 10-treadle floor loom with a 38 inch (97cm) weaving width and a folding back beam that drops its depth to 27.5 inches for storage. It is the floor loom in Ashford's range, built in New Zealand beech, and arrives ready to weave with a 12-dent stainless steel reed, a boat shuttle, and 800 Texsolv heddles in the box. It suits weavers stepping up from a rigid-heddle or table loom who want a real floor loom in a compact footprint.

Who It's For

A step-up loom for a weaver who has outgrown a rigid-heddle or table loom and wants twills, block weaves, and doubleweave under foot control without giving up a whole room. The folding back beam brings the depth from 39.3 inches down to 27.5 inches, so the loom stores against a wall or moves between rooms.

How a Jack Loom Works

A jack loom is a rising-shed loom: each shaft rests under its own weight, and a treadle lifts only the shafts tied to it. Any single shaft or combination can be raised, and the direct one-shaft-one-jack tie-up is the simplest floor-loom action to learn.

What You Can Weave

Eight shafts reach structures four shafts cannot: up to six pattern blocks, block doubleweave, six-block summer and winter, and double-width cloth. The 38 inch width weaves a full blanket, coverlet, or tablecloth in one unbroken panel, plus garment yardage and wide table linens.

Specifications

• Shafts / treadles: 8 shafts, 10 treadles (single fixed configuration)
• Weaving width: 97cm (38 In)
• Action: jack, large rising shed; full direct Texsolv tie-up (8 lams x 10 treadles)
• Weight: 58kg (127 lb)
• Assembled size: 110cm (43.3 In) H x 110cm (43.3 In) W x 100cm (39.3 In) D
• Folded depth: 70cm (27.5 In), via the folding back beam
• Timber: kiln-dried New Zealand silver beech, water-based lacquer
• Heddles: 800 Texsolv heddles (100 per shaft), 26.8cm (10.5 In)
• Assembly: required (ships flat-packed)

What's in the Box

One 12-dent stainless steel reed, one 14 In (35cm) boat shuttle, five cross sticks, ten wooden warp sticks, and 100 Texsolv heddles per shaft (800 total). A weaving bench is not included.

Built for Easier Warping

Both front and back beams lift out completely for clear access when warping, a built-in raddle flips up or down, the shafts slide out easily, and a shelf above the castle holds tools.

See It in Action

Complete Your Loom

Most weavers add a bench and a second reed early. Pair the loom with the Ashford Hobby Bench 2 for comfortable treadling, and add extra stainless steel reeds in the setts you weave most (6, 8, 10, 12, and 16 dpi). Keep spare Texsolv heddles, wooden warp sticks, and treadle ties on hand for fast re-tie-ups.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Ashford Jack Loom good for a beginner moving up from a rigid-heddle loom?

Yes. Among floor-loom mechanisms the jack action is the most approachable, with a direct one-shaft-one-jack tie-up. The real learning step is moving from a rigid heddle to any shaft loom, where sett and pattern are threaded separately.

Can it weave rugs?

It weaves sturdy cloth, but rugs and dense, high-tension, weft-faced work are where every jack loom is weakest: the rising shed lifts shaft weight against the warp, so a tight rug warp gives a shallower shed and heavier treadling. For a rug-focused studio, a countermarche loom is the better tool.

What heddles and reeds does it use?

It uses 26.8cm (10.5 In) Texsolv heddles, specific to the Jack Loom and not interchangeable with Ashford's table looms. Reeds are 5 inch deep stainless steel in 6, 8, 10, 12, and 16 dent; a 12-dent reed is included.

About Ashford

Ashford Wheels & Looms has built spinning and weaving equipment in New Zealand since 1934 and is now in its third generation. Its looms are made largely from New Zealand silver beech, and Ashford backs the Jack Loom with a manufacturing-defect guarantee through your dealer.