Need a different needle....

[Dalton Masterson]

I finally ordered some 5 strand linen thread from Campbell Bosworth. I also ordered some No 517 harness needles.
The problem is, I have only succeeded in threading them once, and that was breaking the thread down into smaller strands and snaking it into the eye.

I need to know what size I need to order to go with a bigger eye. I have been using the big pack of Tandy needles since I started this hobby, and am about out.

Thanks!
DM

[Biscuit Joe]

You need an egg eye needle for thread that large. I believe.

[WaddWatsonEllis]

I went through two packages of Tandy needles ... they kept breaking off the sides of the eye when I went through the leather with the needle ....I finally went to Joannes Sewing in Sacramento (if they don't have one, here is their webpage:

http://www.joann.com/joann/home/home.jsp

Anyhow, they did not have any leatherworking needles, so I finally settled (It was Sunday and Tandy was closed) for a set of 5 Size 16 Tpestry needles for less than two dollars ... and they are hella stout, have WIDE eyes in them, and just don't break ...
This might be what you are looking for:

http://www.joann.com/joann/catalog/productdetail.jsp?pageName=search&flag=true&PRODID=prd11069

[ChuckBurrows]

I also ordered some No 517 harness needles.

What size did you get? for 5 cord I use the OS-517-00 which is 17 gauge
http://www.campbell-bosworth.com/catalog/product_info.php/manufacturers_id/17/products_id/943

or the OS-517-0 which is slightly smaller at 18 gauge - a little snug with 5 cord, but it works perfect with 4 and is only a littel large for 3 cord.
http://www.campbell-bosworth.com/catalog/product_info.php/manufacturers_id/17/products_id/943

To thread your needle :
With the thread end on a firm surface (I use a small chunk of hard maple) take a sharp knife and hold the blade at a slight slant (about 8)0° to the last inch or two of thread and scrape the thread to a tapered point. Then wax well and et voila your needle threading will be made much simpler.......
Al Stohlman's book, The Art of Handsewing Leather,  illustrates the technique as well as many others - IMO the book is a must have resource for any leather crafter.........

[Slowhand Bob]

Chuck has it right, I actually placed my last order for threads and needles based on the recommendations he just gave you.  The cheap large eye needle that Tandy sells is for use with the extra large prewaxed threads that they also sell.  The stitch can actually look pretty good with this combination, large ropey seams, but as you found out, the needle needs an extra large awl punch to match the extra width of that eye or the eye will break.  I probably have a couple or several hundred of those large eye needles around that were purchased for a special project years ago and they might be better than the newer ones(?).   If you would like to have a few to play with let me know.

[Dalton Masterson]

Thanks all.
Chuck, I am not sure what I ended up getting. The package just has the 517, and then a 4 for length. No 00 or 0 on the package.

The sad thing is that the first time I threaded one, it went right on through in 1 shot.
Then it was 20 minutes trying to get the others in...
They do go through the leather nice though.

Bob, I bought mine several years back, and they might be the older ones. I still have a dozen or so left after 5 years or so of using them. I dont plan on buying more if the Osborne 517s will work.

Thanks again,
DM

[Ten Wolves Fiveshooter]

  Howdy All

      I took Chucks advice over a couple years ago on the 5 strand FLAX linen thread, and haven't used anything else sense, I also started using Harness Needle's, and they work great, I haven't broke one yet, and for me they are easier to handle and work with, at least for the type sewing I do, and they aren't that hard to thread through. I get my harness needle's from Tandy, but I'm going to try Campbell Bosworth on my next order of thread.

          tEN wOLVES 

     Quote from Chuck Burrows
I also ordered some No 517 harness needles.
What size did you get? for 5 cord I use the OS-517-00 which is 17 gauge
http://www.campbell-bosworth.com/catalog/product_info.php/manufacturers_id/17/products_id/943

or the OS-517-0 which is slightly smaller at 18 gauge - a little snug with 5 cord, but it works perfect with 4 and is only a littel large for 3 cord.
http://www.campbell-bosworth.com/catalog/product_info.php/manufacturers_id/17/products_id/943


               

[Chuck 100 yd]

I have been using the 00 size harness needles from Tandy. Sewed up lots of practice strips and 5 holsters so far not one broken needle. I am using 5 strand waxed linen too.
Some of you guys said they brake so I bought 30 and if they all last like the first two, I am fixed for a long time to come.

[ChuckBurrows]

Dalton - check your invoice and see what the product number is - that should tell you the size.

FWIW - my favorite of  all needles are the ones made by John James from England but they are harder to find - I did though just find them in 0 and 00 size here
http://springfieldleather.com/store/product/16927/Needle,Harness,%2200%22Med,5pk/

[Dalton Masterson]

Thanks Chuck. I went and checked. They are 517-4 or size 4. I completely missed the mark...
I will be ordering the others here soon. I assume the numbers run like wire does, with the higher numbers being smaller?
DM

[Cliff Fendley]

I havent bought any in a very long time so would have to check for sure but I'm almost sure the ones I use for 5 cord are 0 and the ones for 3 cord are #1. They are the 517 needles.

[ChuckBurrows]

Thanks Chuck. I went and checked. They are 517-4 or size 4. I completely missed the mark...
I will be ordering the others here soon. I assume the numbers run like wire does, with the higher numbers being smaller?
DM

correct the largest harness needles are 000 and the smallest are #7 (which I use for beading  )

I havent bought any in a very long time so would have to check for sure but I'm almost sure the ones I use for 5 cord are 0 and the ones for 3 cord are #1.

size 0 and #1 are both the same gauge only the length is different..............

[Cliff Fendley]

Yep your right Chuck, I looked today and I use the 0's and #1's for 5 cord and #3 for 3 cord.

[GunClick Rick]

 

[Ten Wolves Fiveshooter]

   Good video Rick, thanks for posting

[WaddWatsonEllis]

All this information is SO good!

I started to copy this but quickly came up with the question of where to store the printouts so that I could find them six months down the road ...

I  instantly had this quick thought ... could one of the forum potentateed collect this and keep it for us ... perhaps put in something like a 'Child's Forum'?

I'm not sayin' how to save it, but perhaps this could be kept as a reference for all us 'newbies' who don't have a place to turn to  (besides Tandy)....

So whaddayathink?