Glimakra Emilia Rigid Heddle 13" Swedish Table Weaving Loom

I will admit that this is not my most hated loom. I hate the Ashford rigid heddle loom more than I can politely say here.I really wanted to like this loom. It had an intriguing shape. I love the solid ratchets and pawls. I was very intrigued by the swinging beater. Alas, I hate it.Not because it says it is a folding loom and the warp goes flopping away when you fold it- all folding looms do that. Not because the tie rods are flat instead of round- I can go to the hardware store to replace those. Not even because the warping peg is so bizarrely designed- I have been known to use an upside-down C clamp. I am not crazy about the warping tool, but it is a version of one of the tools I use, just not my favorite tool.I hate it because of the hanging beater that slithers mercilessly to and fro as I try to warp. I hate it because it looks like it comes with useful tools, but I cannot figure out how to use them. How can I clamp the base of the loom with 1 clamp and the warping peg with the other? The peg is just that- a peg. Shouldn't I get 2 clamps for the back? Where do those clamps go? DO I warp flat and weave with it raised? Why can't I find the manual online?I have used a lot of different looms. I have worked on Bekas from the 70's, so it's not that I am spoiled and expecting tools with my loom. I just want tools that make sense. I have been happy with the Schacht Cricket and Flip looms. If Schacht could get the ratchets and pawls right like Glimakra, I would have my ideal loom. It's tempting to take a screwdriver to them all and make it work.This is an expensive loom that is more difficult to work on than other looms. I do not see the advantages it purports to offer. Caveat emptor!

Two things make the Glimakra Emilia loom a really great product. First, the heddle brackets, rather than heddle blocks, or simply relying on warp tension to keep the heddle in place. The brackets have three shaped notches to hold the heddle in the up, down or neutral position. The heddle doesn't fall off while you're weaving, and when you leave the loom, you can place the heddle in the neutral position and relax the warp tension a bit, without having the whole setup sort of fall apart. Second, the gears, pawls and cranks for the gears are all metal, with many teeth, so you have a virtually infinite range of tension. It is supremely easy to take the pawl off the warp beam gear, advance the fabric with the cloth beam crank, and then replace the pawl and re-tighten the warp beam. The only downside I can find is that the loom is packed with only one shuttle. I ordered two more at the same time I ordered the loom, and I'm glad I did. The Emilia fold easily for storage or transporting it, and has all the features other folding looms have. This loom is easy and fun to use, and imho, the best rigid-heddle loom for the price.