making shuttles

[gahorsley]

for those of you who have read my most recent posts, you will see that my husband and I are in Florida where he is putting down hardwood flooring in one of daughter's house. anyway, when I started to clean up the scraps today it hit me that perhaps some of the pieces he had cut could be used for making shuttles. I read the other day that Xstnchtat had made some shuttles from some redwood fencing so I wondered about this. the wood is solid hardwood, teak and about 5/8 inch thick I think. beautiful wood!!!! so what about it, could it be done, and if so is anyone interested in some of the pieces? I thought maybe my husband would want to try and make me a shuttle out of this beautiful wood, and especially since it's what he put down in daughter's house. but first of all, he doesn't know how to make shuttles, secondly, isn't interested in learning at this time and finally I think he is sort of tired of looking at this wood! if anyone has any info, please respond before we throw it away :ohmy:

[xstchntat]

oooh oooh me me me me-I would love a couple of pieces and would even be happy to pay you for shipping! PM me if you will and I can give you my addy.

[HJ Hess]

Hello Gabby,
Just sent a PM (plus a revised PM right after --- my oops!).
Thank you for your offer.
.

[MercyPres]

Hi Gabby

My husband made a couple of neat wooden shuttles for Viv. I used them first for a few days till she got home to pick them up. I really like the wooden ones I got for Christmas and she was envious. Hopefully he will get something to make me some now. Teak would be neat. If you have any left after sending to those above me, I would like some.

Mercy

[xstchntat]

I only need a few small pieces (6-8) so please do share with others also.

[trampledbygeese]

Sorry to revive an old thread, but I was wondering, how to people make wooden shuttles? What sort of tools do you use?

Starts thinking about all the extra hardwood scraps we have from flooring the house.

[Lynn]

Try these sites. Hope to see some of your workmanship when you get some done.

http://www.life123.com/hobbies/knit-crochet/tatting/how-to-make-a-shuttle-for-tatting.shtml
http://www.davidreedsmith.com/Shuttles/Readabou.htm
http://blisstree.com/look/sculpting-recycled-wood-into-a-tatting-shuttle-2/
http://www.davidreedsmith.com/

[trampledbygeese]

Thank you for the links. I especially like the David Reed Smith one.

[Lynn]

Yeah, David Reed Smith is my favorite too. He makes it all look so easy! Sigh, if I had space for the tools I'd dearly love to have a go at making shuttles. Alas, there's no garage or basement or workroom in a 400 sq ft flat in a 33 floor tower. But I'd really love to see what you come up with. Please do remember to share.

[trampledbygeese]

I don't know if I have the tools needed or not. I'll have to dig around the garage.
There is also the worry that making shuttles might cut into my yarn-time.

[Lynn]

I don't know if I have the tools needed or not. I'll have to dig around the garage.
There is also the worry that making shuttles might cut into my yarn-time.

LOL Of course it will! Prioritizing is the only way to deal with that. I think you'd find it a worthwhile exchange.

[Valerie]

it's interesting to see how shuttles are made! sadly, i have neither the skills nor the machines required. i can only order some when i have spare cash. :)

[Sewicked]

Thanks for those links. Now I have something to show my father when I'm hinting about birthday & Christmas presents. :innocent:

[creadozo]

I like the " Lady Hoare tatting shuttle". That seems something I could do myself. But then... I should make some wooden car-toys for my son. And the wood is there, and the patterns. But I don't have the courage to start :sad:

[squeeky]

I like the " Lady Hoare tatting shuttle". That seems something I could do myself. But then... I should make some wooden car-toys for my son. And the wood is there, and the patterns. But I don't have the courage to start :sad:

Go for it! No matter what you make, as long as you don't hurt yourself (always follow all safety rules!), it will be great.

I was surprised to find out a few weeks ago that my 21 yr old son still has the first game we made in a little cabinetry shop I had years ago. It was a tic-tac-toe board in oak and maple. It wasn't very big and it wasn't very good (I used to feel guilty for ruining the wood). It felt good to know it's so loved.

[Lynn]

I've seen a pattern for making the Lady Hoare out of things like plastic can lids or foam board. Of course, I don't expect they would last as long as a wooden shuttle, but it would give you and idea whether you like it well enough to spend the time and wood to make them.

Gahorsley, did you do anything with your wood scraps? Are they all sitting in a corner waiting for inspiration to find you? Did you actually start working on a shuttle yet?

[creadozo]

Go for it! No matter what you make, as long as you don't hurt yourself (always follow all safety rules!), it will be great.

I was surprised to find out a few weeks ago that my 21 yr old son still has the first game we made in a little cabinetry shop I had years ago. It was a tic-tac-toe board in oak and maple. It wasn't very big and it wasn't very good (I used to feel guilty for ruining the wood). It felt good to know it's so loved.
The kids Sumner-holiday starts about 5 weeks. That means I have two day's where I don't have to work, don't have to bring the kids to school and my craft-lessons are stopped then for the Sumner. I must have the time then!

[creadozo]

I've seen a pattern for making the Lady Hoare out of things like plastic can lids or foam board. Of course, I don't expect they would last as long as a wooden shuttle, but it would give you and idea whether you like it well enough to spend the time and wood to make them.
? That is an idea! Do you think I can find that on the internet? I will try!

[Liyarra]

ok here is another way to make a shuttle - either a post one or a flat one. You go to a kitchen display place and grab a few sample cards for the laminex for benchtops. These can be cut, heated and molded to the shape you want quite easily using a heat gun.

[Sewicked]

I'd seen picot gauges made from laminate but I hadn't thought of shuttles. What a good idea. Thank you, Liyarra.

[trampledbygeese]

ok here is another way to make a shuttle - either a post one or a flat one. You go to a kitchen display place and grab a few sample cards for the laminex for benchtops. These can be cut, heated and molded to the shape you want quite easily using a heat gun.

Now that is a great idea!

Unfortunately it's not one that will work for me. I've also found out we don't have a jig or band saw so my wood shuttles are not going to happen any time soon. I decided making my own shuttles will cut too much into my yarn time and besides, my hands shake so working with power tools may not be a super idea.

I've ordered some David Reed Smith shuttles which should be here in a few weeks. I'm very excited.

[xstchntat]

my homemade shuttle making efforts have been sidelined with my Lupus flare and Charlie's heart attack and stroke. Hoping to have some spare time to try again soon since he is home again.

[squeeky]

xtchntat - So sorry to hear!! hearts and thoughts are with you!

[gahorsley]

good luck to anyone trying to make a shuttle. I SO, SO, SO wanted my sweet and precious husband to try his hand at making me one out of the leftover scraps we had from daughter's floor, but he said a NO to that want. (Might be the first no he's ever given me in 33 years of wedded bliss) But it was a definite NO. From someone who can do just about anything, he said he didn't want to tackle that project. I'm still not through trying to persuade him though. I have tried telling him what a special shuttle it would be, since it was the floor we worked so hard on. That's not got me a shuttle yet though. I still have a few pieces left if anyone wants a beautiful piece of teak hardwood. (Go to my album if you haven't seen the floor)

[DJtatt]

Thanks trampledbygeese, Lynn and especially gahorsley for starting this thread, and giving me even more to add to my to do list. As well as all the great tatting ideas now my woodworking projects have a new member - make a tatting shuttle out of the maple scraps I have lots of.

[gahorsley]

good luck to you! gotta keep everybody busy--like tatting doesn't keep us busy enough!! let us know how it goes.