Hello :) I'm desperately looking for nice EFS.

Seems like I've found something that I want to buy. Seller says this is used AVL 15" shuttle. This is EFS, right? How do you think is this good one for 8/2 and 16/2 cotton (silk-alpaca, silk-cotton) yarn? I plan to use it for 30" weaving width, plain weave. AVL 8" pirns or Schacht 8" pirns will do, right? And this doesn't seem to need any wrench for adjustments, does it?...

I'm a beginner and have read a lot about EFS, but feel unsure. New one seems too expensive for me right now. Thanks for your thoughts and advices :) if someone wants to sell something good, I'll gladly buy, by the way :)

Comments

Tue, 04/28/2015 - 18:21

Dawn McCarthy

This looks like an older AVL EFS and I am sure it will be adequate for your needs.  Most have a method for adjusting the tension.  

Dawn

 

Tue, 04/28/2015 - 18:47

crosstownshuttler (not verified)

Hi kajs,

I just sold 2 of these. They handled 20/2 up to 5/2 easily. They might could use thicker yarn but I haven't tried that. You do need a hex wrench to adjust tension. I think it is 5/64", but I'm not positive. You'll see a hole near where the thread comes out. You can take the shuttle with you to the hardware store to get the right one. I hope this helps.

 

Tue, 04/28/2015 - 19:47

kajs

Thank you Dawn. I gonna buy this then :) hope there is way to adjust it without the wrench...

Tue, 04/28/2015 - 20:03

kajs

High crosstownshuttler,

Such a pity that I didn't buy yours! :)

The thing is that I'm from Ukraine. There is no AVL shuttles or similar here. That is why I'm trying to find out all the details. I've just asked my husband and he beleives we will be able to find 5/64" hex wrench. I had idea to ask local weaver-artisat to make EFS for me, but not sure where to get the metal parts....

Tue, 04/28/2015 - 20:15

Dawn McCarthy

Usually you need a small allen wrench or sometimes a fine flat head screw driver.

Dawn

Tue, 04/28/2015 - 20:18

kajs

crosstownshuttler, forgot to ask - what can you tell about yours, that you've just sold? They are the same as on my photos, as far as I understood?

It's a pity that I don't have opportunity to try before buying...However,l'm lucky to meet the previous owner of just similar shuttle and I can ask you now :)

Tue, 04/28/2015 - 20:29

sally orgren

I have three of these AVL EFS's.

 

Yes, the Honex tension plates adjust with the special wrench mentioned.

 

I have used nubby Henry's Attic Monte Cristo IV (sett @ 10epi I believe) and this shuttle worked great. Also use 20/2 and 16/2, but keep a second AVL adjusted for the "finer" threads, so I don't have to keep changing the setting. (can you afford two? ;-)

 

You might want to purchase a pack of AVL plastic pirns. Different brands of pirns do not necessarily fit or work interchangeably with different brands of EFSs. (If you order the pirns directly from AVL, you might ask them to throw in their wrench!)

 

I like this shuttle for throwing wide projects, 45". I like a shorter EFS for narrower projects, say 24-36" (Schacht EFS). For scarves and very narrow projects, an EFS doesn't really work well for me.

 

Note these AVL's are on the heavier side for EFSs.

 

Tue, 04/28/2015 - 23:27

kajs

Sally, what a brilliant advice indeed! I planed to buy pirns from AVL, but didn't know that I can ask them for a wrench! :)

Thank you very much!

 

Tue, 04/28/2015 - 23:40

crosstownshuttler (not verified)

kajs,

Mine looked very similar to the pictures. I bought them some time in the 1990s. I liked them especially for wide projects, but as Sally said, they are somewhat heavy which my wrist won't tolerate anymore. I now use a Schacht EFS.

Wed, 04/29/2015 - 00:48

Dawn McCarthy

Weight is preference - I prefer the heavier - I do not believe this particular EFS has honex but will still work well Dawn
Wed, 04/29/2015 - 05:00

kajs

Thank you Dawn and Crosstownshuttler. The good thing is that I plan to use it for rather wide projects:)