The heavy wooden or metal shaft at the base or top of a loom that supports the lay (the swinging frame holding the reed). It allows the weaver to swing the beater forward to pack the weft threads into the fell of the cloth, returning smoothly for the next shed.
Heard on the job
Grease the rocking tree bearings so the beater swings without catching.
Related terms
Beater
A swinging frame on a loom that packs weft yarns tightly into the warp.
Sword
A vertical arm that suspends and swings the beater on a loom.
Reed
A comb-like frame on a loom that spaces the warp threads and packs the weft.
Race
A flat ledge on a loom that supports the shuttle as it travels across the warp.