I've just began carving some boat shuttles and turning some bobbins. I'm experimenting here to see which form, size and shapes I prefer. This one is similar to Leclerc's 15" boat shuttle and is side fed. I have a 60" wide loom as many of you know. I never realized how much yarn one could wind on a 6" bobbin. This one is not quite finished yet as I need to sand some burn marks from the cavity. I would also be considering drag on the bobbin or quill as was discussed on Frank's shuttle thread. I say this in advance so it's not neccessary to rehash it. And as Frank, I'm not trying to sell or push anything. ;)

 

Comments

Tue, 09/18/2012 - 17:54

ReedGuy

I made this one today to accomodate 4" quills I made from card stock.

This one is 11" long

Tue, 09/18/2012 - 19:03

Joanne Hall

on the weft if you leave a little space on each side of the bobbin or quill.  As the weft unwinds, the quill will move back and forth on the spindle, just like you wound it back and forth.  Giving it space to do this will reduce the excessive drag.  It is hard to feel this drag until you actually throw the shuttle across a wide warp.  But you can get a feel of it by pulling the thread out of the shuttle with one hand as you hold the shuttle in your other hand.  Doing this, you can also watch the quill go back and forth.

Joanne

Tue, 09/18/2012 - 20:09

ReedGuy

Yup, there is some space there, I made the cavity 1/2" wider than the quill. The bobbin, not so much. But it seems I will likley use a quill on the bigger shuttle to, so I can make a 5 or 5-1/2" there instead of a 6". One never knows I guess how much is enough until you experience it I suppose. :)

 

With the wool on the quill, it didn't seem to be too bad. I have hardwood floor, so I gave it a scoot across, didn't snag and moved quite a ways with a light shove. I plan on using these on 45" or less wide warp. I can use the fly on 45" +.

Fri, 09/21/2012 - 09:49

ReedGuy

I'm curious about the shape of the shuttles. It will be a few days before I get a required reed ordered from Leclerc to finish some towels and do up some tartan scarfs. You know how it is when your waiting for things to happen. :)

Thu, 10/18/2012 - 23:48

Woodburner

What did you use to shape the ends?

Fri, 10/19/2012 - 10:23

ReedGuy

Cut pattern with bandsaw and smoothed with belt sander and inflatable sanding cylinder on a flexible shaft attached to drill press chuck. I've just started using the shorter ones on some towels. Works fine. I'm using paper quills with washers on the ends. :)

Wed, 11/28/2012 - 11:59

iropi

Such brilliant work!!! All endings are smooth and perfect!

I' ve read that the shutles with bended ending like that of your first picture are easier to catch and throw. Do you think so?

Wed, 11/28/2012 - 12:27

ReedGuy

No experience with any other, so couldn't give an educated response. But it's similar to what the old timers used. They don't roll over anyway. ;)