I just recently got an old singer (42-5) for sewing leather. But I am confused about needle sizes. Can anyone point me to a chart that explains needle sizes and thread sizes to use. For instance for a (135 x 17) size 21 needle, What do the numbers mean?
Scott
In a nutshell, the bigger the number, the heavier the needle. So a 16 would be a lot lighter weight needle (for lighter weight fabrics) than a 21. The number you want to know when you order needles is the 16, 18, 21, etc. That's what I've always been asked for when I order needles for my Singer industrial.
Sharon
The numbers like the 135X17 are a system number. This is very confusing as different manufacturers have different numbers for the same basic set of dimensions. They relate to the length from butt to top of the eye of the needle, not over all length, shaft diameter, blade type, scarf, or short grove above the eye and point design. I believe you are the fellow I had some emails with and the needle system for your model is no longer available and the machine was likely altered to use that 135X17 needle. The size, 21, 22 ,23, 18, 19 etc is the diameter of the blade. can also be
110 for 18, 140 for 22 those are the metric equivalents. There are just slightly less needle systems than stars in the universe for industrial machines.
Ron, a little advance warning please...coffee through the nose HURTS!!! ;-)
Beverly
Sorry Bev, just could not resist that one.
Not just industrials, Ron. The old sewing machines seemed to take a different needle for each machine, which probably made Boye the company it grew to be!
Really, it pales by comparison. I have one of the Boye counter displays with a fair assortment but they are running thin. You could even add on the odd ball early serger needles and not come close.
Aha! Does that mean that you are a possible resource for those really old/odd needles? People on the TreadleOn list would love to know that!
Yes I do have a very limited supply and they command huge money, just to help offset the hundreds I spent to get it. But some I can help with.
FRYZETTI had written this in response to
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