Shuttles
Boat Shuttles: Sizes and Shapes
Choose a boat shuttle which is comfortable for your hand. The smaller ones are the easiest to catch and throw, but if you weave wide fabrics, choose one which is somewhat longer. Avoid thick or tall shuttles, as they need a larger shed. Shuttles which are more pointed and slender will travel through warps more easily.
After you choose your boat shuttle, select the appropriate bobbins and/or quills and then a bobbin winder which is compatible.
Solid Bottoms, Open bottoms and Rollers
Boat shuttles come with a solid bottom, an open bottom or a bottom with rollers. A solid bottom will always be a smooth surface for the shuttle to glide across the warp. An open bottom allows you to stop the bobbin from the bottom with your finger. Rollers will help the shuttle travel across a wide warp.
The "Mini" #18
The Mini Boat is a very nice small shuttle with a solid bottom and well designed points or tips. It is 7 3/4 inches long.
Shuttles # 6, 7, 8, & 9
These four shuttles are all of the shape shown but vary in length. The #6 is 11 1/4 inches. The #7 is 12 inches. The #8 is 12 3/4 inches. The #9 is 13 1/4 inches. Not shown is the #8B Damask shuttle. It is similar to the #8 but is thinner. All are solid bottom without rollers.
Double Bobbin Shuttle #12
If you frequently purchase fine threads and double them for color blending or for pattern weaving, consider purchasing a double bobbin shuttle. It is easier to wind two bobbins than to wind two threads on one bobbin. If you use two bobbins in a double bobbin shuttle, the threads will not twist.
Shuttle #16
The #16 Boat Shuttle has a solid bottom and rollers. It is 12 inches in length.
Shuttles #13, 14 & 15
Boat Shuttles # 13, 14 and 15 all have the same shape and are open bottom with rollers. The #13 is 11 3/4 inches and the box is 4 3/4 inches long. The #14 is 13 inches long with a box of 6 inches. The #15 is 15 inches long and the box is 7 1/4 inches long.
Damask Shuttle
If you have a drawloom or weave on a table loom with narrow sheds, consider purchasing a damask shuttle. They are only 5/8" tall and will weave through very small sheds. They are useful for weaving on table looms, double weave and pick up weaves. It is best to use quills with damask shuttles. The #8B is a damask.
We also stock the Folke Samualson weighted damask shuttle seen here.
Quills and Bobbins
Bobbins have sides so that the yarn will not slip off the ends. They can be easier for beginners, but you must still wind them carefully. The weft is wound quickly back and forth with some tension to make a compact tight package. A bobbin made for another shuttle may not work in your shuttle as it may not fit or turn properly. The sides of the bobbin can sometimes catch inside the bobbin cavity of the shuttle. In this case, it is probably too long or too thick and it may be better to use quills. Quills do not have sides, are made of cardboard. Quills can be used in any shuttle. The quill length should be 1/2 to 3/4" less than the length of the spindle inside the shuttle cavity. Quills are much quieter than bobbins.
We stock carboard quills in lengths to 5 inches.
For instructions on winding paper quills, see the FAQ
Rug Shuttles
Ski shuttles, Double ski shuttles and flat shuttles can hold much more weft material than a boat shuttle and are appropriate for weaving rugs. You must unwind the weft from them as you weave. If you do not fill them too full, ski shuttles and double ski shuttles can be thrown across a wide warp. Glimakra shuttles are shorter than most, so they travel easily through an ordinary shed. Flat or Stick shuttles cannot be thrown, but are less expensive and very useful for narrow warps and vertical looms.
Ski shuttles come in two lengths, 19 1/2 inches and 25 inches. Double ski shuttles also are in two lengths of 13 3/4 inch and 18 3/4 inch. Flat or stick shuttles are available in lengths of 16 or 20 inches.
