Thread Weight 16/4 Cotton Is Equal To What ?

[CustomDoug]

Hi guys I need to et some needles.... I want to use a glazed cotton thread in size "16/4" but I'm confused on what size needle would be best for that weight of thread as everything I read about thread for sewing leather is like "#69" or "#138" in nylon, etc. etc. I'm not sure why the glazed cotton is offered in a fractional number like 16/4... I thought that maybe it's a european form of thread weigh but then again this was what was used in the US for certain applications before being replaced with nylons etc. So - what needle would be recommended for 16/4 glazed cotton thread for sewing garment leather (I'd want a leather cutting tip). Thanks.

[CustomDoug]

OK well I just found a helpful chart on the enternet that shows 4 cord cotton thread size 16/4 needing a size 140 needle. I do have some 140/22 (not sure what the 22 refers to) so I guess those will work. Here's the link, looks pretty thorough to me, includes all types of thread material.

http://www.industrialsewmachine.com/webdoc3/thread.htm#Chart 5