I need to build a triangle loom for a friend.
Essentially just a wood triangle with a slew of nails along the sides.
I want something pretty nice, so I'm thinking ash, cherry, or whatever hardwood I can get easily, locally.
8' on the hypotenuse. half-lap joints on the corners, two different colored nails alternating.

If I'm looking for stock about 3 inches wide, in the interest of having the triangle remain flat over time, would you go with 3/4 stock or with 5/4?

8' is pretty big...

I think that there will be more to gain in careful preparation of your stock than in the thickness. I'd think that 3/4" might be a bit on the flexible side, but with a good stiff hardwood probably not too bad. Weight is probably a consideration too.

I'd probably start by buying my stock (paying attention to straight, tight grain and a lack of any sign of warp/wind/cup) and keeping it in a conditioned living space for a few weeks before touching it. Laid flat to avoid bowing.

Then I'd run it thru a jointer fi there was any need, before machining my pieces.

Cherry is probably the most dimensionally stable hardwood, that's why it was used for quality levels. It needs to be REALLY abused to warp, once nicely seasoned.

Your favorite oil finish would be a great help in moderating moisture content changes in its working life, so don't skimp on that.

J

My wife's triangle loom measures 6'6'' on the long side. I just measured the wood and the actual dimensions are 1" thick by 1.5" wide. No problems with warping.

Since you're looking to build something a bit larger, I'd scale up the wood sizes a bit from this one and you should be fine.

Bob.

consider also pre-drilling the nail holes before you try hammering in hardwood so as to 1) not bend the nails and 2) not split the wood and 3) get everything in same depth.
ront

Quote:

---

pre-drilling the nail holes

---

Figuring to use a drill press actually. 500+ holes IIRC.....

perfect. uniform depth and all perpendicular to the stock, set the fence and they are all same distance from the sides. only final thought is to the TYPE of nails used. all that work you might consider stainless. the thing will then last forever. ront

I'm told that different colored nails aid the weaver in detecting mistakes, but I know nothing of the process itself.
Paneling nails are one thought, but, truth be told, I favor the idea of stainless, she can worry about mistakes some other way.....

You could, if you were feeling ambitious, drill 1/8, 3/16 or 1/4" holes for the nails, inset dyed dowels, then set the nails in that...

But you'd have to be ambitious!

J

Quote:

---

if you were feeling ambitious

---

Never happen!

Quote:

---

500+ holes IIRC....

---

Some good spray paint would work. Yeah, it will wear off, but only in the wear areas. The head of the nails should hold paint well, and show for quite a while. Some primer, a couple quick spray coats and done. (push the nails into pieces of corrugated cardboard for spraying)

Don't think the paneling nails are good, because of the gripping, annular rings. They could be a problem with yarns and fibers.