How to Buy a Used Loom
New looms are extremely expensive and may be more than you can spend on your first loom. Used looms are easy to find and can be picked up for a fraction of a new loom. These looms are also usually in great condition or can be easily repaired.
Instructions
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Decide what kind of loom you want. There are only three kinds of looms - a jack loom, counterbalance loom and rigid heddle loom. The first two refer to how the heddles of the loom move and the last the heddles do not move at all. This will get you started and narrow down your search. Think about the kind of projects that you hope to do on the loom as well as the space available for a loom. This will help you determine the size of loom that you want to look for.
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Begin searching for a loom. Looms can be found in a variety of places. Check locally in yarn and estate sales, online at sites like eBay and on sites that are specifically aimed toward fiber artists. Online searches will also give you a good idea on how much you will be expected to spend on the kind of loom that you are searching for.
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When you find a loom that you are interesting in, make sure to carefully look over the loom. Be sure to check all the moving parts and the general structure of the loom. Also check out the manufacturer of the loom and do research about that manufacturer to ensure that the loom was well made.
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Consider what you will have to replace or buy for the loom. Loom parts can be fairly expensive so it would be a smart move to spend a little more on a loom that comes with more extras than a cheaper one that will have to have replacements purchased.
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After all the consideration, buy the loom that works best for you and is the best in your price range.
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Tips & Warnings
If you are an inexperienced weaver, take along a friend who has more experience with looms and weaving when going to view a loom that you are considering buying.
