I'm ready to move up to an end-feed shuttle, and am unsure what brand and/or sizes to get! Anyone have a preference of one brand over another?

I'm weaving about 20 hours or more a week right now, and would like to build up my weaving speed.  I can't seem to do that with my boat shuttles.  If I'm weaving most everything at less than a yard in width, should I get a 13" shuttle?

Grateful for any feedback - Kathy

Comments

Sun, 11/17/2013 - 21:23

theresasc

an AVL and a Bluster Bay in black cherry on a project now.  What I have found is that the BB is much larger in my hand, but lighter in weight.  The feel of the wood is not as silky to the touch on the AVL, but since it weighs more it just zooms through the shed.  I am weaving towels on a CM loom, so it is not a very wide warp.  The BB is easy to tension and load the pirm onto the shuttle, the AVL is great once the tension is set but a tool is needed to set the tension.  What I like about the AVL is that the pirn swivels on the rod when you stand it up in the shuttle which is great for unweaving - which unfortuniatly I have too much experiece at.  I am still do not think I like one over the other to be rabid for or against either brand.  They are both extremly well made tools.  I own the BB, and am borrowing the AVL because I would like to get a second end-feed and I still am not sure which way I am going to go.  

Sun, 11/17/2013 - 23:33

Claudia Segal (not verified)

I am not familiar with the AVLL. I have used the BB and Schacht and like them both. II probably prefer the Schacht but it's a very personal thing. the BB may be right for you. Claudia
Mon, 11/18/2013 - 11:40

jlread (not verified)

I have an AVL and a BB. I don't care for the hooks in the BB....the AVL can be adjusted with a tiny, skinny screwdriver.  Personally, I prefer the AVL. Not much difference in the feel or weight.

Mon, 11/18/2013 - 14:59

Queezle

I have the AVL and the schacht.  The AVL is 20+ yrs old, and I love it.  The schacht is 6 months old, and so far has not seen much use.  However, my initial impression is that the schacht might be a little lighter and sleeker. And I like that the AVL and Schacht are tightened with the same size tool, and pirns are interchangable.

I considered the BB, but the different tensioning mechanism scared me off. 

Fri, 11/22/2013 - 00:52

tien (not verified)

Bluster Bay now has Honex tensioned shuttles! (Honex plate tensioners are what all the other brands use. You need a small Allen wrench to adjust the tension.) Now you can have Bluster Bays with a "regular" tensioning system. (They are pricey, though!)

I wrote this review awhile back - perhaps this might be useful to you.

I’ve tried every kind of EFS on the market. Up until the new Honex tensioned Bluster Bays came out, Schachts were my favorite - AVLs are heavy (good if you have wide warps, but my loom maxes out at 24"), Leclerc feel clunky to me, and the Bluster Bay hook tensioning system didn’t work for the yarns I use (fine and often springy yarns).

My recommendation? Unless you have loads of cash, start with a Schacht end-feed shuttle. The wood is not as durable as some other brands (I have a tendency to nick mine), but they have a low profile that works well on my loom and the plate tensioning system works well on almost any yarn. (End feed shuttles in general do not work well for flat ribbon yarns and textured yarns.) They are also not too expensive (for end feed shuttles). AVL shuttles are much more expensive (unless you find one used) and heavier - this may be an advantage for wider warps, though. Bluster Bay hook tensioned end feed shuttles are also great if the hook tensioning system works for you.

The main differences between brands of EFS, IMO, are the shape of the shuttle and the type of tensioning system. There are people who swear by the hook tensioning system (no Allen wrench needed to adjust the tension) and there are those who swear at it (threading it can be fiddly if you are using lots of hooks, it doesn’t have good tension adjustment for very fine yarns, and it doesn’t work at all with springy yarns - they get caught on the hooks). The hook tensioning system is only available on Bluster Bay shuttles as far as I know.

Shape-wise, I think the Bluster Bay EFS are the nicest and most ergonomic, efficient, etc. They are also much better-finished and most are made of a denser (more durable) wood than the other brands. So I would definitely take a close look at BB shuttles, even if you wind up going a less expensive road.

Fri, 11/22/2013 - 01:27

Dawn McCarthy

lt is very personal - my 2 cents - LeClerc - too blocky and light, Schacht - too blocky, Bluster bay - didn't like the hooks, too light and slippery, AVL feels more solid (which I like) and I like the honex tension (it's like Goldilocks finding the right porridge).  If you can try a couple of types you will soon find the one that suits you.  AVL is my #1 followed by Schacht.

Dawn

bewove.com

Fri, 11/22/2013 - 11:43

Weeweaver (not verified)

When I first started weaving, my teacher gave me a factory flyshuttle that she had because I wanted to try one out. I still have it. It was low-profile and I was able to get many 8" pirns on eBay for cheap. I used and used it. I first mentioned it on the weaving list and was booed out by some folks who said it was too modern. About a year later, all the EFS came out and I had the last laugh. I have and use some Nadeau EFS, which I like for narrow warps. I used Peggy Ostercamps tip of having 2 holes drilled in the front of the shuttle and feeding the yarn out so to be able to use them for the narrow warps. You can read about it here:

http://peggyosterkamp.com/peggys-weaving-tips-narrow-warps-approach/

I also have several AVL shuttles, courtesy of a loom deal, but have not tried them yet. I have to agree with Tien, any of the shuttles that have the Honex type tensioners are the way to go. To me, the rest is personal preference. 

Fri, 11/22/2013 - 12:15

kchendershott

I'm thrilled with the feedback on this so far!  Now - Since I've been using 12" HD shuttles, is it going to be difficult for me to adjust to a 15" EFS, or will I still get good results with 13" shuttles?

Fri, 11/22/2013 - 20:28

cottageweaver (not verified)

I love my AVL efs's.  I like the shorter model, though. measuring slightly over 11" long.  This size and model fits my hands beautifully!  The BB with hooks didn't appeal to me, but I see that BB now has a Honex tensioner, so I would be interested in trying one of those, too.

Sat, 11/23/2013 - 00:19

kchendershott

I ordered one tonight!  I'm going to try the Schacht 12" EFS. It was in my price range (ouch, the Honex BB were pricey!) and seems to be the right size for me.  Thanks a bunch, everyone!

Sat, 11/23/2013 - 00:30

sandra.eberhar…

I have BB hand EFS in several sizes with the hooks and Leclerc and AVL  fly shuttles with Honex tensioners.  I like the Honex for very fine or wiry yarns (like fine single ply linen, which springs for freedom at every chance).  I like the hooks in 13" and 15" BB shuttles because they let me use a wide variety of yarns, and will work with big thick yarn.  I find that in the small 11" shuttles, the hooks are more difficult to use.  That being said, BB are my all time favorite.  They are gorgeous, and I like looking at lovely wood when I work.  You can also pick whether you want a heavy or light shuttle by wood choice.  I like heavy woods in small shuttles, and light woods in 15".  I only use 15" shuttles for 36" or larger warps.  The 15" BB shuttle is a pretty big shuttle, in width and height as well as length.