Machine Needles

[Massive]

Ordered some Singer Class 7 needles off ebay.  They were Organ Brand, and specified as leather needles.  When they arrived, I saw they were sharp, or bullet configuration, no tip like a dagger, diamond, or broadhead, that actually cuts leather.

Does anyone know whether there is such a thing as a pointed machine needle for leather, or did the seller just not know what he was selling?  I have bought other leather needles from this guy, and they did have conventional ends.  But the majority of his business is obviously the rag trade.  Good to deal with.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/10ps-Singer-7-class-sewing-needle-7x4-NW-H-DYx4-LEATHER-/260797194835?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&var=&hash=item82647e1ffd

[outrider]

They are probably round nose needles like the ones Tandy sells

[Slowhand Bob]

I am going to make a wild stab at this, and I am likely a mile off base BUT!  The recent conversations talking about machines that punch a hole ahead of the needle just might be able to use a round or blunt nose needle just fine, or sew it wood seam to me?  Isnt that why Tandy sells those round nose needles fer hand stitching, the hole is already there! 

[outrider]

Slowhand,  I am not referring to the saddlers needles that you use when hand stitching. I am referring to the 794 size needles that they sell for the Tipman machines....these needles are the same size as the ones used in the 441 clones but do not have a diamond shaped point.  I have a whole bunch of round points in the shop that I mistakenly purchased a few years ago.  The round points will work but do not make a very clean hole..therefore the stitch looks gaudy

[Slowhand Bob]

OK, you guys must be referring to the spear point, kind of a round nose chisel shape??   Looks like the old movie representation of a Zulu spear, that it?

[outrider]

that's what I am referring too..not sure about the others...slowhand..how you been doing pardner?

[Techsew Ron]

Here's some useful information about leather sewing machine needles and stitch types:
http://www.campbell-bosworth.com/supply/needles.html

Most of our customers use either ball point or diamond point needles for all leather applications. Ball point is preferred when sewing webbing and other materials with thin fibres since the needle will deflect off the fibres instead of cutting them.

Ron

[Cliff Fendley]

Massive, I've been using what I believe is called an S point which kinda sounds like what you got. I actually like them better than the diamond.

They make a nice tight straight looking stitch. I've been using the same ones for two layers of 3-4 oz all the way up to five layers of 9-10 oz and they work great.

[Slowhand Bob]

Why howdy back atcha Outrider.  I been doing pretty good fer an old f... and just been trying to get ready for the regional match coming up.  I have really committed to shooting it in a big way this year, after not shooting fer a pretty long spell.  I will be shooting the WB and BP side matches in addition to the three day main match.  Just hope the old guns and my body can still take it!  I have made a small handful of projects fer the wife to try and sell while I am out playing cowboy.    Hope all is well with everyone here and have been wondering where JD is, I hope all is well with him also?

[Massive]

Thanks for the useful chart of needle types.  Interesting that the minority of needles have the pin type point, rather than the dagger.  So I guess these needles that I have are just as likely to be leather as if they were the dagger type.  I guess I will work with them and see if I can get the results I want.