Kitebuilder.com

kiteguy · Posted: Tue Dec 23, 2003 11:11 am Post subject: Needle size

Often you hear people asking which size needle to use. Here is a statement from a spinnaker sail maker.

V-30, the lightest weight, is used with a No. 12 or 14 needle and fabric of less than 1-1/2 ounces.

I think the nylon from Kite Studio is V-33, a bit larger than that in the quote.

I consistantly use the #14 needle, unless sewing with heavier thread and heavier material. Then I go to #16.
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Dave Ellis
Kites + Kids = Education

KiteSquid · Posted: Thu Dec 25, 2003 2:33 pm Post subject:

I use V-30 DaBond polyester almost exclusivlay, and usually have a #10 or #12 Schmetz Denim needle in my machine.

IIRC the web site you are quoting is SaliRight....

They sell DaBond Polyseter in V-30 which is very diffrent than 33 Nylon that Steve sells..... the Polyseter is smaller and has very little streatch compared to the Nylon...

When I used to use the nylon thread i would use a 14 or 16 Schmetz Denim needle.
_________________
VR/
KiteSquid
AKA TakoIka
AKA Harold
King George VA

P.S. Yet another post by the Squid..... Shocked

Doesent he ever shut up???

P.P.S. The wind is like the air, only pushier.

marty · Joined: 22 Jan 2004 Posts: 155 Location: Arlington, MA USA

I just switched to a 10 Schmetz with the V30 Dabond. Had to play with the tensions a littte bit, but it seems to be working great. I was using a 12.
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Gentle breezes...

Marty Sasaki
Arlington, MA USA

Dennist3 · Posted: Fri Apr 09, 2004 10:32 pm Post subject:

I was told by someone (insert Gary) that 12 or 14 was the proper size

but I have a question I have heard from someone(insert Harold) that if my thread is "shreading" I should try a bigger hole needle.....does the 12 14 16 whatever refer to the size of the needle(witih or length) and what about the 70 or 80 etc..?

how do I know if I have a larger or smaller hole...

(in the store you can't see the hole size)

Dennis

knotronda · Posted: Sat Apr 10, 2004 12:24 am Post subject:

Most really good fabric store employees are helpful and will assist you in selecting the best needle for your project. Just ask to look at what they have and check things out before you make your purchase. Just a thought.

KR

Dennist3 · Posted: Sat Apr 10, 2004 6:07 am Post subject:

ok you look at a tiny hole ....then look at like 10 more tiny holes.....now which one is bigger?......I can see...but my eyes must be going I can't seem to tell the difference

this is why I asked my first question....is there something that tells you how large the hole in the needle is?

Dennis

kiteguy · Posted: Sat Apr 10, 2004 7:42 pm Post subject:

Yes, the larger the number, the larger the hole. 12 is bigger than 11. 14 is bigger than 12, etc.
_________________

Dave Ellis
Kites + Kids = Education

marty · Joined: 22 Jan 2004 Posts: 155 Location: Arlington, MA USA

Here is a document all about needles. I don't remember who posted it originally, but it was someone on this forum.

If your thread is shredding, and if it is good quality thread (the cheap stuff sometimes just falls apart), then the hole is too small.
_________________
Gentle breezes...

Marty Sasaki
Arlington, MA USA

KiteSquid · Posted: Mon Apr 12, 2004 9:19 am Post subject:

One thing they did not cover is that if you look at a denim and universal needle side by side of the same size and the same manufacturer (Schemetz is my favorite) the Denim needle will have a larger eye and deeper/wider scarf...

Compare using a magnifiging glass of at least 10x magnifaction.
_________________
VR/
KiteSquid
AKA TakoIka
AKA Harold
King George VA

P.S. Yet another post by the Squid..... Shocked

Doesent he ever shut up???

P.P.S. The wind is like the air, only pushier.

knotronda · Posted: Mon Apr 12, 2004 11:29 pm Post subject:

You can pick up a great set of magnifiers at Harbor Freight for just a couple of bucks!!

Just thought I would add it to the list of things that 'Harold says we have to have!" hahahaha

knot(tier)ronda