Slim Boat Shuttle - Open Bottom

GENERAL PRODUCT SAFETY REGULATION (GPSR) INFORMATION

Intended Use:
Handcrafted open-bottom weaving boat shuttle designed to carry weft yarn smoothly through the shed during weaving.

Available Sizes:
• 8"
• 10"
• 12"

Product Configuration:
• Open Bottom
• One quill
• Two yarn guides — one at the forward end and one at the trailing end of the yarn slot

Boat Shuttles are offered in multiple wood species. Natural differences in grain, color, figure, and weight are expected and do not change the intended use or safety requirements.


CAUTION — MOVING TOOL

The Boat Shuttle moves through the loom shed during weaving.

• Keep fingers and hands clear of the shuttle path while throwing or passing the shuttle

• Maintain control of the shuttle during use

• Do not intentionally throw the shuttle toward another person

• Keep loose clothing, hair, jewelry, and other objects away from the shuttle path and loom mechanisms

• Stop weaving before adjusting the quill, axle, washers, yarn guides, or other components

• Keep away from children and pets

• This is a weaving tool, not a toy


BEFORE EACH USE

Inspect the shuttle before use.

Do not use the shuttle if:

• The wooden body is cracked, split, severely warped, or damaged

• The axle is bent, loose, or damaged

• The quill does not fit or rotate normally

• Either yarn guide is loose, damaged, rough, or obstructed

• A washer is missing, damaged, or incorrectly positioned

• The ball spring plunger is loose, damaged, or no longer retaining the axle correctly

• Any hardware has become unstable

• Any other damage could interfere with safe or normal use


QUILL SETUP

Open Bottom Standard Boat Shuttles use one quill.

The intended axle arrangement is:

Washer – Quill – Washer

Before weaving, confirm that:

• The quill fits the axle normally

• The quill rotates freely

• Both washers are present and correctly positioned

• The axle is securely retained

• The quill does not bind against the shuttle body

• Yarn feeds smoothly through the yarn slot and guides


DUAL YARN GUIDES

The shuttle has two yarn guides:

• One at the forward end of the yarn slot

• One at the trailing end of the yarn slot

Before use, confirm that:

• Both yarn guides are securely attached

• Yarn passes through the intended guide path freely

• No rough edge, burr, or damage is present that could snag or cut yarn

Do not use the shuttle if either yarn guide is loose or damaged.


BALL SPRING PLUNGER

The ball spring plunger is part of the axle-retention system.

It should not require normal user adjustment.

Do not alter or adjust the ball spring plunger unless specifically instructed for service or repair.

If the axle no longer retains correctly, discontinue use until the shuttle is inspected or repaired.


OPEN BOTTOM SAFETY

The open-bottom design leaves the quill and axle area exposed from below.

During use:

• Keep fingers and hands away from the exposed quill and axle area while the shuttle is moving

• Do not reach into the open-bottom area during weaving

• Stop weaving before adjusting the quill, axle, washers, or yarn path

• Confirm the quill and axle are correctly installed before resuming use

• Do not operate the shuttle if the quill, axle, or hardware is loose


LOADING & WINDING

Wind an appropriate amount of weft yarn onto the quill.

Do not overfill the quill.

Excessive yarn buildup may:

• Prevent free rotation

• Rub against the shuttle body

• Interfere with yarn feeding

• Affect shuttle performance

Confirm free quill rotation before weaving.


CHANGING QUILLS

Stop weaving before changing a quill.

Support the shuttle securely.

Remove the axle using the intended method.

Keep track of both washers and reinstall them in the correct order:

Washer – Quill – Washer

Do not substitute incompatible hardware.

After reassembly, verify:

• Correct washer placement

• Axle retention

• Free quill rotation

• Proper yarn-guide function

before resuming weaving.


SAFE USE

Pass or throw the shuttle through a properly opened shed using controlled weaving movements.

Do not force the shuttle through an undersized or obstructed shed.

If the shuttle catches, binds, or behaves unusually:

• Stop weaving

• Inspect the shed and shuttle

• Check the quill, axle, yarn guides, and open-bottom area

• Correct the cause before continuing


CARE & STORAGE

• Remove loose fiber, yarn, and loom debris after use

• Keep the wooden body clean and dry

• Do not soak or submerge the shuttle in water

• Do not use harsh cleaners or chemicals that could damage the wood, finish, metal hardware, yarn guides, or axle components

• Periodically inspect the axle, washers, quill fit, yarn guides, ball spring plunger, and wooden body

• Store in a dry location

• Protect from heavy impact, crushing, excessive heat, and excessive moisture

• Keep axle hardware and washers with the shuttle

• Do not use a shuttle with cracked wood, loose hardware, or damaged components