Before his affiliation with AVL, Jim Ahrens hand-built a small number of looms in the years between 1950-1976. These will generally display a plaque designating it as an Ahrens loom. Some Ahrens looms are very similar to AVL looms. However, most parts are not interchangeable with the corresponding AVL loom. The similar looms include: production dobby loom, countermarch production dobby loom, home loom, folding dobby loom, and a loom made with a pivoting front/rear beam. Read more about Jim's looms at this wonderful website curated by Peggy Ostercamp.