The lacquer/varnish smell from this loom has been an issue for me; it is overwhelming at first! Other reviewers commented on this problem and I hesitated before purchasing the loom but the specs on the loom are perfect for my purposes. I received the loom 3 weeks ago and it has been airing out in the garage since then. The smell is finally gone but I I have not yet had a chance to try out the loom. This was disappointing but I assume from the other enthusiastic reviews that now that the smell has dissipated I will thoroughly enjoy the new loom.

Everything about the Schacht Flip Loom package is wonderful! I had never woven anything in my life and just decided it sounded like fun. I'm so glad I chose the 20" Flip as my first ever loom! The design is simple, the instructions are very easy to follow, and the many accessories that come with the bundle make weaving an absolute pleasure. I live in a tiny apartment and have extremely limited work/storage space, so the ability to fold the Flip Loom was a HUGE selling point. Everything fits easily into the spacious carrying bag which measure approximately 28"x18"x5". The bag can also be extended a full 6" with the simple tug of a zipper, bringing the width to about 34". I also love that the Flip comes with a second heddle kit already installed! I wasn't sure that I would need it as a beginning weaver, but the instructions make the warping process so easy that I was weaving more complex sheds with two heddles in no time. As for the smell that others have commented on, I disagree. The smell is, in fact, strong when you first open the loom, but I find it to be very pleasant. This maple wood loom is hand finished with Danish oil, so just smells like varnished wood (like the smell of the lumber section at a home improvement store mixed with a little oil). I give the Schacht Flip Loom 5 out of 5 stars across the board. If you're a total weaving beginner like I was, this is absolutely the loom for you!

I already had an Ashford 4-shaft table loom and a Tools of the Trade floor loom when I purchased the 20" Flip package with all 3 heddles. I'd been wanting a portable rigid heddle loom to play with that the grandkids could also easily use. Getting the Flip package on sale and with $5 shipping was too good to pass up! I just finished my first project and have to say that it was easy to set up, warp, and weave. At first it looked a bit low on the stand, but is a good height using an ordinary kitchen chair. I love having the tray in front to hold tools/shuttles, but I'm 5'-7" with long arms. Someone short will probably not be able to comfortably reach the heddle with that in place.

I do agree with SB who noted a strong smell when the box was opened, but the smell went away a few days after I had it assembled. The smell probably originated from the finish. I don't notice it at all now and I'm pretty picky about chemical smells.

I ordered this loom kit plus a bunch of spinning fiber and was told some of the fiber was back ordered, but, magically, everything showed up together and a day early! This loom is very sturdy. It is bigger than I pictured and I am glad I got the stand with it. My only complaint is the smell. I am airing it out before I can use it. I don't know if the smell is from being in storage or it is the finishing product used by the manufacturer but it is too strong for me.