# Ashford Table Loom Troubleshooting Tips ### **Beater Doesn’t Sit Evenly or Rubs Against the Frame** **Problem:** The beater hits one side of the loom or doesn’t sit square in the frame — e.g., it rubs the right side while leaving a gap on the left.\ **Cause:** This usually means the **loom frame is slightly out of square** rather than an issue with the beater itself. **Fix:**\ ✅ Measure diagonally from opposite corners and compare both directions — if they’re not equal, the frame is skewed.\ ✅ Loosen the screws a bit and gently shift the frame until the measurements match.\ ✅ Once square, tighten screws and re-check. A few small washers/spacers at the pivot points can help if tiny adjustments are needed. *** ### **Ratchet & Pawl Slipping — Warp Won’t Hold Tension** **Problem:** The back beam won’t lock in place; the ratchet and pawl slip, and the warp tension can’t stay set. (Plastic pawl/ratchet is less reliable)\ **Cause:** The pawl could be **installed incorrectly (upside down)**, or the ratchet pin isn’t fully engaging the teeth. Mis-winding the warp around the beam can make this worse. **Fix:**\ ✅ Check that the **pawl is flipped the right way** — many have two ways to mount it, and an upside-down pawl won’t engage properly.\ ✅ Make sure the warp is wound in the correct direction onto the beam.\ ✅ If the original pawl/ratchet parts are worn or damaged, contact LoftyFiber for a replacement *** ### **Apron Cords Break or Don’t Hold Even Tension** **Problem:** The apron (warp or cloth) cords can snap near the end of a long project, or tension becomes uneven between cords.\ **Cause:** Ashford’s stock apron cords on some table loom versions are made from lighter tapestry warp string, which can be **too light for heavier or prolonged tension**. **Fix:**\ ✅ Replace the factory apron strings with **Texsolv cord of equal length**, which is stronger and holds more consistent tension. \ ✅ When replacing, ensure **all cord lengths are exactly the same** before tying on — mismatched lengths are a common source of uneven tension. *** ### **Uneven Beater Action** **Symptom:** The beater packs more firmly on one side than the other. \ **Cause:** Shaft cords or elastic ties don't have equal tension, or the loom isn’t perfectly square. **Fix:**\ ✔︎ Check that the connecting bands or cords on both sides of the beater are matched in length and tension.\ ✔︎ Confirm the frame is square as described above — squareness affects how evenly the beater rolls back. *** ### **Quick Tips to Prevent These Issues** * **Check squareness when you assemble the loom** — table looms can shift out of square during shipping. * **Replace apron cords and elastics proactively** with Texsolv if you plan long projects. * **Review the ratchet/pawl orientation** before you begin your first warp — it’s easy to install backwards. --- # Agent Instructions: Querying This Documentation If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question. Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter: ``` GET https://learning.loftyfiber.com/floor-and-table-looms-purchasing-information-and-support/ashford-floor-and-table-looms/ashford-table-loom/ashford-table-loom-troubleshooting-tips.md?ask= ``` The question should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language. The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation. Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.