Singer 20U twin needle clamp

[SARK9]

One further **off-topic** observation RE: Singer 20U needles: My made-in-Japan "brown"  20U33 WILL accept a couple of brands of HAX1 or 15X1 needles ( with the flats) although it does fit the needlebar hole very closely. They can be oriented to have the scarf face the rear and clamped without issue. My rough measurements of the shanks on the brands I have on hand show that the shank diameters of the "home sewing machine brands" of 15X1 needles average around 0.002" larger than the DPX5/134R/135X5/1955 needles I normally use in the 20U. The needle length and locations of the eye & scarf seem to be nearly identical and my machine sews a wide zigzag stitch using the domestic needles shown. Its possible that those "twin" needles may have an attachment shank diameter that will be within a (-).002 tolerance and fit a stock 20U needle bar, though I have none on hand to try. 

-DC

[KeriHat]

Thanks to everyone for suggestions and replies which encouraged me to continue and experiment - the results are in and we have a winner!

The Schmetz denim twin needle didn't fit at all as the shank was too thick and the blue plastic "stopper" is too wide.

The Schmetz extra wide twin needle (6mm) fits into the needle bar but the red plastic stopper is also too wide for the regular clamp. This is a real shame as that is the width I need.

The singer universal twin needle 4mm fits perfectly because the top doesn't have the blue/red plastic "stoppers" that the others have. Unfortunately I cannot find a 6mm version of this style, so slightly stumped.

As you can see (bottom pic) it works well on a taped seam and hem. The reverse is a slightly inconsistent zig-zag which I think is just a tension issue - top tension needs to be really high.

I'm very happy with the results but I do also need a 6mm version or find a way to make the schmetz 6mm work somehow, so the search continues...

[suzelle]

On 10/7/2022 at 8:55 PM, KeriHat said:

The singer universal twin needle 4mm fits perfectly because the top doesn't have the blue/red plastic "stoppers" that the others have. Unfortunately I cannot find a 6mm version of this style, so slightly stumped.

As you can see (bottom pic) it works well on a taped seam and hem. The reverse is a slightly inconsistent zig-zag which I think is just a tension issue - top tension needs to be really high.

I'm very happy with the results but I do also need a 6mm version or find a way to make the schmetz 6mm work somehow, so the search continues...

 

 

Keri, You have my respect for all the work you did finding a twin needle that works for Singer 20U!!

Now I'm going to buy some!  I'm also hoping for a 6mm version, crossing my fingers. I can think of a lot of projects to use twin needle. Thank you!