Louët David III: What Sets This Generation Apart
Compact in size yet remarkably capable, the Louët David III is an 8-shaft floor loom that occupies a distinctive place in the Louët loom range. Its sinking shed system, light treadling, and relatively small footprint make it an exceptionally comfortable loom to use.
With this third generation of the David, Louët did much more than make a few cosmetic changes. The loom frame, standing beater, brake system, warping features, and several practical details were redesigned to improve both stability and weaving comfort.
A compact yet highly capable floor loom
The David III is an 8-shaft, 10-treadle floor loom available in three weaving widths: 70, 90, and 110 cm.
Its operation sets it apart from many other floor looms. The David III is a sinking shed loom: at rest, the shafts are held in the raised position by a spring system. When you press a treadle, the selected shafts move downward.
This system creates a shed of approximately 5 cm (2") while maintaining even tension on the upper and lower layers of the warp. The tie-up cords are already installed, and treadling requires little effort.
The back beam can also be folded, reducing the loom's footprint when it is not in use.
What changed with the David III?
When developing the David III, Louët redesigned numerous elements of the David to make the loom sturdier, easier to adjust, and more comfortable to use.
A sturdier frame
The frame and beams were reinforced to improve the overall stability of the loom. Despite its sturdier construction, the David III retains one of the qualities that has always made the David so appealing: a relatively compact footprint for a true 8-shaft floor loom.
A new standing beater
The David III features a standing beater with a pivot point close to the floor. This design provides a smooth, generous movement and helps produce a consistent beat.
The mounting system also makes the beater easy to remove when necessary, particularly during certain stages of warping.
An improved brake system
The David III brake system was also redesigned. The friction brake provides excellent control of the warp and allows the warp to be advanced from the weaving position.
Louët also increased the diameter of components in the winding system and improved the mechanism used to advance the warp, making operation smoother and more convenient.
An integrated raddle
The warping raddle is integrated directly into the castle of the David III.
Easier adjustments
The David III allows the shaft and beater heights to be adjusted precisely to achieve an optimal shed. Louët has continued to refine these adjustments since the loom was introduced and provides detailed instructions for setting them correctly during assembly and use.
A sinking shed system that's easy to use
A sinking shed system may seem unusual if you are accustomed to looms where the selected shafts rise, but using it is very straightforward.
When using a weaving draft designed for a loom where the black squares represent the shafts that rise, simply tie up the white squares instead of the black squares on the David III.
Once you understand this small difference, you can use your usual weaving drafts without difficulty.
Three widths for different weaving spaces
The David III is available in three weaving widths:
- David 70: 70 cm (27 5/8")
- David 90: 90 cm (35 3/8")
- David 110: 110 cm (43 1/4")
The mechanism is identical on all three models. Your choice therefore depends primarily on the projects you want to weave and the space available for your loom.
The David 70 prioritizes compactness. The David 90 offers an excellent balance for a wide variety of projects, while the David 110 provides additional working width for blankets, garments, and other wider pieces.
A loom that can grow with your weaving
With 8 shafts, the David III can of course weave plain weave and twills, but it also opens the door to overshot, lace weaves, double weave, and many more complex structures.
It can also be equipped with additional accessories, including a second warp beam or a sectional warping system. Sectional warping can be particularly useful for long warps or projects using fine yarns.
Why do we love the David III?
Because it successfully combines qualities that do not always come together: a reasonable footprint, light treadling, a generous shed, and the possibilities offered by 8 shafts.
The David III is not simply a “small floor loom.” It is a complete and capable loom that can handle everyday weaving projects as well as the exploration of much more elaborate structures.
And that may be where the David lives up to its name particularly well: it remains relatively compact, but its possibilities are anything but small.
Discover the David III
The David III is available in three weaving widths. Depending on our current inventory, it may be available directly from our store or shipped from Louët.
Not sure whether the David III or another floor loom is right for you? Please feel free to contact us. We will be happy to help you choose the loom and weaving width that best suit your projects.