I don't see any harm in collecting the machines Boye didn't make shuttles for. Think of them as a nice counterpoint to the Boye machines.
Neat machine and a very nice set of attachments. The drive mechanism is such a simple thing I'm surprised it didn't catch on. Keeping things turning the right direction on a regular treadle takes some practice.
Rodney

I really like the Royal, lower down on this page. I like the flat handwheel and its overall look. I’m fascinated by the feature that assures forward operation regardless of handwheel direction. Am I understanding that right?

Yup, that was a big selling point for this machine - neat to read the old advertizing about too.
http://www.springfieldohiohistory.ne...bumid=13318253

I have an Eldridge that I don't want. How would I tell if it is the 'long shuttle' or not?

LilRedRocker, measure the shuttle from tip to end, the longer one is 1/4" longer, however I don't recall the measurement and I'm in the campus office today. I'm pretty sure the one I'm looking for has a strange shape to the bed - it's not rectangular.

Fiddlybits has a You Tube video of that particular tucker. Works really well.