Seeking general advice about Tippmann Boss needles

[fredk]

I have decided that very soon I shall buy a Tippmann Boss

I'm going to get the package which includes a selection of needles, viz:  Two 7x3 160, two 7x3 180, two 7x3 200, two 794200, two 794250

I would like to buy extra needles at the time I buy the package 

Now, being a total numpty those needle sizes mean nowt to me. Therefore I seek guidance

Firstly, I do not make knife sheaths anymore. I'll be upping my production of shoulder bags, usually seams are no more than 4mm thick. Other items, maybe 5 to 6mm thick. I would like to try to make 'cowboy' or 'slim Jim' type holsters.

I would also like to use the Boss just for making holes for hand-sewing. For this I prefer 0.5/0.6mm and 0.8/1.0mm thick thread

What needles do youse suggest I should get extras of?

And what size thread goes with some of those needles that Tippmann supply

[Wizcrafts]

1 hour ago, fredk said:

And what size thread goes with some of those needles that Tippmann supply

I believe that the Tippmann Boss uses System 7x3 and 7x4 needles, which are the same ones used in the Cowboy heavy leather stitchers. The 7x3 are round point, for cloth and webbing. The 7x4, also known as System 794, have various leather points. The most commonly used leather point in these harness stitchers is the Schmetz S point.

You can find the best match for a given size of thread and needle in this thread and needle chart.

[fredk]

Ta

[Dwight]

I don't recall who it was (somewhere on the internet) . . . but after I bought mine back in 2000 . . . I had the same questions.

At that time I was messing with 277 and another size . . . I was thinking it was 307 or somethere thereabouts.

Anyway the advice was thread the needle . . . stretch a piece of the thread about 18 inches (or 45cm) long . . . put the needle on the edge near your right hand . . .hanging loose.  

Stretch the string tight and start lifting your right hand . . . the needle if sized correctly . . . will be the smallest number that will allow the needle to slide down quickly and easily before your riight hand has the needle up at a 45 degree angle.  

That has worked for me ever since . . . 

But it was not too long . . . maybe a year at most . . . I began using 346 size . . . and it is basically what I use for everything.  I do belts, holsters, and knife sheaths mostly . . . mag carriers and cell phone carriers too . .  .I like the looks of the 346.

Here is a little chart . . . Tippmann came up with:

415 Thread with a Size 250 Needle Commonly used in rated products like logging, mining, and military nylon webbing and strapping.

346 Thread with a Size 230/250 Needle Commonly used for mule and other heavy duty tack. Also used in boot and shoe applications.

277 Thread with a Size 200 Needle Is the most commonly used thread size in leather crafting from saddle and tack, boot and shoe, gun and knife, and all other kinds of craft and industrial applications.

207 Thread with a Size 180/200 Needle A favorite size thread for saddle bags, purses, and other thin material crafting.

138 Thread with a 160 Needle Used mostly in belts, billfolds, purses and other thin material crafting.

99 Thread with a 130 Needle and 69 Thread with a 110 Needle Is seldom used in leather applications unless the stitch is not to be a major part of the final design. This combination is more commonly used in fabric, vinyl, and other thin material applications. Note: Your bobbin thread tension will require readjustment when using smaller thread diameter

May God bless,

Dwight

[Wizcrafts]

1 hour ago, Dwight said:

99 Thread with a 130 Needle and 69 Thread with a 110 Needle Is seldom used in leather applications unless the stitch is not to be a major part of the final design. This combination is more commonly used in fabric, vinyl, and other thin material applications.

Interesting take on the subject!

In my shop, on my "sewing" side (we have two rooms), I mostly sew patches onto bikers vests and jackets, install new zippers in jackets and chaps and repair purses and shoe/boot uppers. 80% of my sewing is between a couple ounces and maybe 4 - 5 ounces and is sewn with #69 or #92 thread, with an occasional chaps or jacket job requiring #138 thread. These jobs are sewn on a variety of walking foot machines, or one of my two patchers.

The remaining 20% involves sewing holsters and sheathes and some gunbelts which are sewn on my Cowboy CB4500. If the work is between 8 and 10 ounces, I use #139 thread. from 11 to 15 ounces I use #207 and everything between 16 and 32 inch is usually #277 thread. Only the thickest projects, over 1/2 inch, get #346 thread in our shop.

[fredk]

Thanks chaps.

@Dwight that list is very informative and most useful. Mucho thanks

and a thank you to @Wizcrafts for your info as well