Tuesday 17 November 2009

Shuttle Making News

The shuttle making process is a little slow, due to a few set backs. My resident shuttle maker, aka husband, started with making the traditional shuttle, but has found that because the middle section which takes the thread, is so small, it is a bit awkward to get exact, he says he needs another tool, but that is always the case when starting new projects! Also he had to steam the wood and clamp it in some moulds so it curves and that took a time to work out and set in motion, especially making sure that when they come into the warmer temperature of a house they do not loose their shape. The first one did not meet at both ends when assembled but the second one is much better (top right) and the picture shows another one (far right) just about to be assembled. He now thinks he has solved all problems concerning this model.

The next attempt was to make a shuttle that would take a plastic bobbin, and that project is progressing well. The picture shows the blanks that he is cutting these from (far left) and one nearly completed (middle) it now needs some fine sanding, but we are awaiting another piece of equipment so that he can get into the crevasses, yes and it has something to do with teeth!

The shuttle with the bobbin containing red cotton is the first prototype, and includes a hook, which he fashioned from a clock pin as we could not find very small hooks anywhere, well not without mutilating a decent looking full length crochet hook! He made a fantastic job with this hook using a watch maker’s lathe, and there are no rough edges on it. Another purchase that he has just made is some stainless steel wire with which he hopes to fashion some more hooks from. Although I have to say this particular shuttle is a little small and occasionally slips from the fingers as there isn’t enough grip, but it is usable. A future plan is to make a facility to wind a bobbin on the end, just as the aero shuttles have.

So far the woods he is using are walnut and cherry with the small one being oak (there is a story attached to this, which I will tell you another time)

Not sure how well the shuttles will eventually turn out, but hopefully a few will be completed before the end of the month so that when we visit family we can take some with us. That means big sister Jane, Queen Jane, Janie-Lou - you are going to be the “Shuttle Tester”. No pressure!

15 comments:

  1. Fan flipping tantastic. Can't wait to 'test drive' one. LOVE the idea of a really fine hook on it AND the other end shaped for winding the bobbin.

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  2. YOU have a husband who can make shuttles??? YOU are sooooo lucky! What I would give for custom shuttle maker (who is also the love of my life)!!! I'd probably drive the poor man away with all my ideas though. LOL!

    Looking forward to seeing how they turn out, tho I'm a post person, not a bobbin one. They all have to be wound. heheheh

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  3. I imagine it takes quite a while to figure out how to make a shuttle that is just right. I look forward to seeing Jane's review!

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  4. wow! I'm so jealous! I wish my better half would make shuttles for me! And the amount of effort that he's putting into it. wow.

    congratulations! I'm so excited for you!

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  5. Wow, this is exciting. What a lot of work it takes in the shuttle making process! I sure can't wait for the finished product! NO PRESSURE!!! LOL! Then again, it may be nice to know there is a market for this shuttle when it is done!

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  6. I'll have to have one - eventually, when your husband gets into mass production mode!!!

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  7. Amazing progress! I am in line for one of those! That point looks wicked - in a good way, of course!

    Just when I thought I was over the avarice -for -a-new-and -better-shuttle! Obviously, I've fallen....
    Greedy Fox : )

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  8. Fantastic Sally! Thanks for showing the progress of the shuttles. They are looking great so far!! Can't wait to hear the story about the oak.....

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  9. Oh WOW! I'm so jealous - these look GREAT! And I'm jealous that you have a spouse who would do this for you!! (DH just looks at my things and says politely "that's nice." Then he goes down to his man-cave with the trolls.)

    I thing you are the Empress Sally!

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  10. How wonderful. I especially like the shuttle with the bobbin in. How neat.

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  11. What a very exciting post!! The new tools will be well-used, won't they, because everybody will want one!
    You could even paint decorations on the shuttles, if you are artistic - all sorts of wonderful possibilities.
    I showed the picture to John, but he only makes trains... :(

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  12. Well, I'm just glad for YOU. Isn't it nice to have the gift of a man who actually enjoys doing things of interest to Wife? I'm fortunate in my mate too, he doesn't make shuttles but he shops, cooks and cleans and has time to be an Elder at church.
    You are going to love tatting with those shuttles because they will be so special!
    Happy Tatting, Bev

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  13. Thanks for all your lovely comments, a tin of tiny sanding discs arrived today and these are being used in conjunction with an old dentist drill to sand the inside of the shuttles. The whole project is exciting and the gradual development of the shuttles is so interesting. I'm going to lock him in the garage for the weekend!!!

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  14. Oh Sally! How nice to see those shuttles being made, and with TLC! Envious like the rest fellow tatters. :D

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