Quills for Shuttles
The making of proper quills for use in the shuttle is of no small importance, for on this the evenness and uniformity of the selvage very much depends. When flanged wood quills are used, the guides should be carefully adjusted so that the filling is uniformly spread over the entire length of the quill, allowing for perfect freedom at each end without dragging. Quills should not be overloaded. In drum pressure quilling, the automatic stop should be so arranged that the quill will be filled even with the outer edge of the flanges and no more.
Should there be any tendency to hardness in the material used for filling, it may be found advisable to run the thread over a plush pad on which has been applied a light application of cocoanut oil, but great care should be exercised not to overdo this as there is nothing so hurtful to rubber goods as oil.
The quills should only be of sufficient length to allow for uniform delivery from the shuttle without dragging at the ends. To assist in this elongated shuttle eyes are preferable to round ones, so as to shorten the angle at which the filling leaves the quill when running from the extreme end. Thumb bits should be so adjusted that the delivery is uniform from start to finish. The quill flanges should not lie flat against the sides of the quill opening, but should be pointed at the ends so as to reduce the friction. Quill wires should be of hard tempered steel and be perfectly straight at all times. When it becomes necessary to run narrow goods in wide spaces, recoil springs should be provided to gather up the loose filling.