Hello to all, and welcome new members! Please feel free to share with us your own efforts, and ideas on "Home Built Equipment". My most recent endeavor has been making Rag shuttles. Since they are a bit like owning shop clamps, you never seem to have enough of them! I decided to make up twelve of them, six at 18", and six at 24", 2 1/2" wide. The tools for the project were a drill with a counter sink bit. a 1/8" drill bit to pre drill the 1/2" dowels to keep them from splitting, a jig saw, a belt sander to shape the ends,150 grit sand paper for finish sanding, and miter saw for square cuts.Lastly some wood glue, and construction adhesive ("Liquid Nails"). Oh!,also a large table spoon to form the shape of the ends! The materials were two, twelve board  packs, 1/4"x 2"x24" red oak "hobby boards" purchased on line at Amazon for $38+ shipping,Three 1/2"x36" oak dowels,one 3/8"x36" poplar dowel for plugs, and dry wall screws all purchased at Home Depot for about $10.They were finished with clear "Briwax" finish which I had, however any good Carnauba or Bee's paste wax will do fine, even an automotive paste wax will work! Since these shuttles sell for $18 to $28 dollars each, depending on size or the vendor, my home built ones were built for about $5 each from sturdy materials, and will last a life time! If you have the time, basic wood working skills, and tools, the savings are there! These shuttles can be also made with simple hand tools, coping saw, rasp, hand drill, it will just take a bit longer. What are you planing to build? Have anything on the drawing board? How about a new Idea? Please post them for us! Regards, Frank- TheLoominary.

Comments

Tue, 03/22/2011 - 20:41

Threshkin (not verified)

How do you securely attach the pins to the shuttle sides?  I have made custom sized shuttle like this before but have had a hard time keeping the pins and sides together.

Thanks!  Erik

Wed, 03/23/2011 - 02:53

TheLoominary (not verified)

Hi Erik, because I don't have a lathe to cut a stop shoulder on the pin, I chose to do it this way: I drilled countersink holes in the sides. I pre drilled the pins with an 1/8" bit so as not to split them. I put a VERY SMALL dab of "Liquid nails" on the ends of the pins, then screwed the pins to the sides with 1" dry wall screws.Then, using wood glue I glued the pegs over the screw heads, cut off the excess, and sanded. A couple of hints, I held the pegs with a rubber tipped Quick Clamp while setting the screws. I also used a butter tub lid with a tight hole in the center over the peg to protect the shuttle sides when trimming the pegs. Hope this helps, Frank.

Wed, 03/23/2011 - 13:03

Threshkin (not verified)

That makes sense.  I just drilled holes in the sides and slid the pins in.  There was not enough surface area between the sides and the pins for the glue to make a good bond.

I might just pull the pegs out, move them a little and try your approach.

Erik

Wed, 03/23/2011 - 14:45

TheLoominary (not verified)

Hi Erik, Sounds like your change will work. Here is a larger photo to show the countersunk holes better. My method is very strong, as it also relies on the mechanical bond of the screws, with just a dab of construction cement to keep the pins from ever turning. Since the sides are only 1/4" thick the countersink is a shallow 1/8".Applying wood glue to the plug sides and letting them set well before cutting was important. You could also use the construction cement "Liquid Nails" to set the plugs, as it will stick well even to the screw heads. Regards, Frank.

Wed, 03/23/2011 - 19:52

Threshkin (not verified)

I will try this after I get the shuttles unpacked.