Louët David III 8-Shaft Floor Loom
Compact, powerful, and remarkably comfortable to use, the Louët David III is an 8-shaft, 10-treadle floor loom. Its unique sinking shed system provides light treadling, a generous shed, and even tension on the warp threads while maintaining a relatively compact footprint.
On the David III, the shafts are held in the raised position by an ingenious spring system. When a treadle is pressed, the selected shafts move downward. This mechanism creates a shed of approximately 5 cm (2") while maintaining even tension on the upper and lower layers of the warp.
Completely redesigned in 2021, the David III features a reinforced frame, standing beater, and improved brake system. Made from lacquered beech, it is available in three weaving widths: 70, 90, and 110 cm.
At a glance
✔ 8-shaft, 10-treadle floor loom
✔ Unique David III sinking shed system for light treadling
✔ Clean shed of approximately 5 cm (2") and even tension on both warp layers
✔ Compact footprint with a foldable back beam
✔ Three weaving widths: 70, 90, or 110 cm
✔ Sturdy lacquered beech construction
Why choose the David III?
The David III stands out primarily for its sinking shed system. The shafts are held in the raised position by a spring system, and the selected shafts move downward when a treadle is pressed. The result is light treadling, a clean shed, and even tension on the warp threads.
With 8 shafts and 10 treadles, it allows you to explore a wide variety of weave structures while maintaining a relatively compact footprint. Its foldable back beam is particularly useful when space is limited, without sacrificing the comfort or weaving possibilities of a true floor loom.
What can you weave?
With 8 shafts and three available weaving widths, the David III is equally suited to simple projects and more elaborate weave structures. Its versatility makes it a loom that can continue to support your weaving as your skills and interests evolve.
- Scarves, shawls, and handwoven garments
- Tea towels, hand towels, and household textiles
- Blankets and wider projects, depending on the loom width selected
- Twills, overshot, lace weaves, double weave, and many other 8-shaft structures
- Sampling and exploration of more complex weave structures
Which size should you choose?
All three versions of the David III offer the same functionality, with 8 shafts and 10 treadles. Your choice will therefore depend primarily on the width of the projects you plan to weave and the space available for your loom.
| Version | Weaving width | Particularly suitable for |
|---|---|---|
| David 70 | 70 cm (27 5/8") | Smaller spaces and projects requiring a small to medium weaving width |
| David 90 | 90 cm (35 3/8") | Excellent versatility for most weaving projects |
| David 110 | 110 cm (43 1/4") | Blankets, garments, and other projects requiring additional weaving width |
If you have sufficient space, the David 90 offers an excellent balance between footprint and weaving width. The David 70 prioritizes compactness, while the David 110 provides greater freedom for wider projects.
Our advice
Which width should you choose?
The widest loom is not necessarily the best choice. Consider the projects you actually weave as well as the space available around your loom. Make sure you have enough room to work comfortably and to access the back of the loom when warping.
If you are deciding between two widths, we will be happy to help you determine which one best suits your projects and your weaving space.
What’s included
- 40/10 (10 dpi) stainless steel reed
- Built in raddle
- 280 mm Texsolv heddles:
- 800 heddles with the David 70
- 1,000 heddles with the David 90
- 1,200 heddles with the David 110
- 2 lease sticks
- 2 apron rods
- 16 warp sticks
The bench is not included with the loom and is sold separately.
Technical specifications
- Manufacturer: Louët
- Model: David III
- Type: sinking shed floor loom
- Shafts: 8
- Treadles: 10
- Weaving widths: 70, 90, or 110 cm
- Shed: approximately 5 cm (2")
- Material: lacquered beech
- David 70: 104 × 87 × 120 cm – 40 kg
- David 90: 124 × 87 × 120 cm – 44 kg
- David 110: 144 × 87 × 120 cm – 48 kg
- Assembly: delivered partially assembled
Availability and delivery
Depending on the model selected and our current inventory, the David III may be available directly from our store or shipped directly from Louët.
When the loom is not in stock at our store, the delivery time is generally 2 to 12 weeks, depending on availability from Louët.
Please feel free to contact us before ordering if you would like to confirm current availability or obtain an estimated delivery time for the width you are considering.
Care and use
Like any wooden loom, the David III should be kept indoors in a stable environment, away from excessive humidity and significant temperature fluctuations. Regular dusting of the wood and the various parts of the mechanism is generally sufficient for routine care.
Periodically check the cords, moving parts, and brake system to ensure that everything moves freely. For adjustments to the mechanism, follow Louët’s recommendations.
Why we love it
The David III does an exceptional job of combining compactness, comfort, and weaving possibilities. Treadling is light, the tie-up is simple, and its 8 shafts offer tremendous creative possibilities without making the loom unnecessarily complex.
We also appreciate the choice of three weaving widths. This allows you to select a true floor loom according to your available space and the projects you want to weave, without compromising weaving quality or comfort.
Discover more
Still comparing floor looms? Explore our selection or complete your weaving setup with tools and accessories suited to your practice.
All floor looms Shuttles & bobbins Weaving accessories Weaving books
Learn more about the David III
Would you like to learn more about the design and operation of this loom? Read our article about the Louët David III.
Frequently asked questions
Which David III width should I choose?
The David 70 prioritizes compactness, the David 90 offers an excellent balance between footprint and versatility, while the David 110 is particularly well suited to projects requiring additional width. The mechanism and weaving possibilities are the same on all three versions.
Is the David III a countermarch loom?
No. The David III is a sinking shed loom. The shafts are held in the raised position, and the selected shafts move downward when a treadle is pressed.
Can I use weaving drafts designed for a rising shed loom?
Yes. Simply reverse the tie-up: on the David III, tie up the white squares instead of the black squares.