| ============= RAG SHUTTLES ============= > Can someone tell me which is the preferred shuttle > for rag rugs and the length of the rag shuttle > needed compared to the width of the rug. ---------- I believe the general consensus on stick shuttles is that they should be approximately the width of the weaving so you don't have to reach into the warp too far to get hold of them and pull them through. Whether the rag shuttle/ladder type would be helpful or not depends to a certain extent on how large a shed your loom makes. For many looms, that type of shuttle is too thick and is not easy to work with at all. It would be used similar to a boat shuttle if the shed is large enough, with the exception that you have to unwind enough weft to reach across the width of the rug since there is no bobbin to unwind automatically. There is also a third type which I have found useful--it is called a rug shuttle, and is sort of like two ski shuttles joined together top and bottom. You still have to unwind weft to go across the rug, but it is thinner than a standard rag shuttle, and it can be thrown across like a boat shuttle. It is also useful for yarn weft. If your loom makes a shed large enough, this type has the ability to be wound in a rather unusual way--you wind the center portion until it is filled and level with the sides of the shuttle, then wind across the top in a figure eight configuration--it does make the top side bunch up a bit, but it allows you to wind almost three times the amount of weft. Most of the major suppliers have all three types. My personal choice is the rug shuttle. I find the regular ski shuttle a bit light weight for my taste, and I don't really like working with stick shuttles much. Roy Laws ---------- You can make your own 'ladder' shuttles. Get some 3/8" diameter wood dowels, a fine toothed saw (I suggest a dovetail saw with around 20 teeth per inch) and a 3/8" brad point drill bit. Use two of your 1/4" thick hardwood strips (about 4" longer than your need for your rugs) and clamp together or use double sided carpet tape (the clamps won't get in the way when drilling). Drill two holes, 2" in from each end of the wood strips. Be sure to use a board under the strips to prevent tearout on the back side as you drill through. Be sure to drill the holes at 90 degrees to the strips so that the shuttle will be square and easier to use. Then saw (the fine tooth saw makes a cleaner cut) two dowels to the same length and glue into one strip using a backing board to keep the dowels flush with the outside of the shuttle. Do the same for the other side and then lay the shuttle on its side on a flat surface and easily twist to shuttle until it lays flat. Wait 24 hours be for using. Sand as you do for your stick shuttles. You can do all the sanding before gluing. If you have a drill press it will be easier to get a 90 degree angle and in fact you can drill 8 side pieces using the carpet tape trick. Walt T. NE Tennessee ---------- I prefer the rag shuttles because you can put a lot of rag weft onto them. I load mine so full, that it takes some real strength to pull them through the warp! I use the flat shuttles when using yarn for things like baby blankets, runners, placemats, shawls, etc. Cindy Kulhavy ---------- I tried ski shuttles, and I much prefer them. They glide very easily through the shed, at least if it's not terribly small. They can be thrown the width of a 3 or 4 foot wide rug as long as sufficient weft has been unwound. Janis Merkle |
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