Schacht Combby Dobby vs Loomfinity One

For many weavers, the Schacht Combby Dobby was a game-changer.

Produced by Schacht Spindle Company from the early 1990s into the early 2000s, the Combby expanded what was possible on the Baby Wolf floor loom. By removing the limitation of ten physical treadles, it opened the door to more intricate drafts while still preserving what weavers loved about the Baby Wolf: portability, foldability, and suitability for classes and workshops. The Combby earned a dedicated following for good reason.

At Loomfinity, we hold the Combby in high regard — not only for what it made possible, but because it directly inspired the creation of Loomfinity One.

By the late 2010s, the Combby’s strengths were increasingly overshadowed by some limitations tied to technology that had simply moved on.

1. Legacy computer connections
The Combby relies on an RS-232 serial connection. Modern computers no longer support this directly, which means weavers must rely on older Windows machines, specific USB-to-serial adapters, or hardware modifications. These workarounds can be expensive, unreliable, and increasingly difficult to maintain.

2. Manual lifting remains required
While the Combby introduced software-driven shaft selection, it still depends on two manually operated treadles. One treadle lifts the selected shafts, and the other lowers them and advances the pick. For many weavers, especially those seeking reduced physical strain or hands-only operation, this remains a significant limitation. Loomfinity began because a weaver was looking for powered lifting and her used Combby could not provide this function.

3. Studio space and complexity
Using a Combby typically requires a dedicated table, computer, and cabling. For smaller studios, this adds visual noise and friction to the weaving process.

4. End-of-life support
The Combby is no longer produced or supported. Units are difficult to find, and third-party service options are limited.

Despite its loyal following, the reality is that entering — or continuing — Combby-based weaving has become increasingly challenging.

🧵 Why Loomfinity One Exists

Loomfinity One was created with the Combby’s strengths in mind: software-driven weaving, flexibility, and expanded design freedom without the technical and physical barriers.

We kept what worked and re-imagined what no longer did.

With Loomfinity One, we added:

The result is a system that supports intricate weaving while simplifying the studio experience.

Combby vs. Loomfinity One: At a Glance

	Combby	Loomfinity One
Software Control	4.1 or earlier on Windows 95/98) Weavemaker (older version) Patternland PixelLoom Weave It Pro Weave	Loomfinity
Connection	RS-232 serial Cable from computer to Combby. Some USB-to-serial converters will work.	Bluetooth wireless from your iPad, iPhone, Android tablet or Android phone
Lifting	Manual lifting by pressing a treadle	Motorized lifting
Treadles required?	Yes	No, the treadles can used as input, depending on your weaving mode. All functionality is available in the app, and the treadles may be completely removed from the loom for easier access to the loom, if desired.

 

Key differences include:

🧵 Loomfinity One is available in several configurations:

For weavers who loved what the Combby made possible but want a system that works seamlessly in today’s studio, Loomfinity One was built with you in mind.