Review: Susan Bates Aero-style shuttle

[moniqueleigh]

OK, I try not to bitch too much about things I haven't tried. So I bought the Susan Bates version of the plastic bobbin shuttle (most are familiar with the Aero for this style). YUCK. Yes, that's shouting.

I broke the damned bobbin while trying to push-pull-squeeze it out of the shuttle. The little nubbins inside that are supposed to hold the bobbin in place? Waaaay too large. I don't think I own a bobbin that would fit in there properly. Has anyone tried to sandpaper those things? I hate to not use a shuttle. Especially since I usually love bobbin shuttles. *pout*

The hook seems good. Like most Aero hooks, it's small enough to get into all but the tiniest picots and beads. It seems to be attached pretty well, but I don't usually find problems with the hooks on these sorts until I've used them for a few weeks. :\

I didn't even bother trying since the bobbin was broken (no, not bitter at all), but I could tell pretty easily that I wouldn't have been able to put the bobbin on the post end (that's supposed to be for helping you wind thread onto the bobbin).

*sigh* If nobody else has tried the sandpaper to the nubs, I'll try that, but otherwise this shuttle is being relegated to "extra hook when I need one." Bah!

x-posting to my journal

Comments

[elspethdawitch.livejournal.com]

Is it the red plastic shuttle with the black plastic bobbin? If so, it's awful, I hate the way the bobbin moves in it, you're always yanking on the thread. I just plain don't like the feel of it and don't use it.

[moniqueleigh]

This thing: http://www.mielkesfarm.com/images/lacis/sb_shuttle.jpg

[jesslin.livejournal.com]

Sorry to hear. I actually haad pretty good luck with mine - the bobbin *is* very tight, but the plastic wears down so it needs to start pretty tight. Whatever you do, don't try to shove a metal bobbin in there - completely ruined the clicky-plastic (yes, that's a technical term ;D ). I ended up shoving a tight roll of paper inside the plastic bobbin, which mostly restored useability with no click. I suspect sandpaper could be used cautiously on the very center of the nubs. Warming the shuttle in your hand and flexing the platic might help too. Just a thought.

No problems with the hook, though, which I consider a *major* plus. I have mostly relegated it to use as shuttle #2 - I prefer my wood shuttles, but I *love* haveing the hook handy. Since I do a lot of work with 2 shuttles - voila!

Your milage, of course, will vary :)

[moniqueleigh]

Yeah, I've heard from others (on the email lists) that the plastic wears down pretty quickly. To the point that some think it ends up spinning too freely. :\

I got a comment in my journal that suggested crocus cloth, which is "basically denim impregnated with jeweller's rouge and is very handy for de-burring needles and pins and for smoothing off any nicks on sewing machine plates that have been hit by needles. It's available at most good hardware stores for about $1.80 sheet." So I'll probably try that before sandpaper. :)

[elspethdawitch.livejournal.com]

The one I got looked much the same, only it was a different company, and the shuttle was red, not white. But other than that it looks exactly the same.

[moniqueleigh]

I remember something about that one mentioned on one of the email lists quite a while back. I think there was a European country that tried to take over the Aeros (or else they moved the factory, or something). But yeah, the general consensus was that those sucked donkey too. Hrmph. I want more of my grey Aeros. *nods*

[elspethdawitch.livejournal.com]

I think mine was a Susan Bates though, too...I got it at Wal-Mart, in any event.