327fed Report post Posted August 3, 2023 I hate to hand sew but I have some work my Consew 225 won’t handle. I need to sew 2 layers of veg tan, 10-11 oz plus a thin pigskin liner. All I have and can seem to find is what they call “doll needles”. These come as a set of 3 or 4 sizes of 2 each, most too small, plus a curved set. I would like to find an online source that would have a pack the same size. Thanks. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
fredk Report post Posted August 3, 2023 What size thread do you want to use? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kgg Report post Posted August 3, 2023 10 hours ago, 327fed said: All I have and can seem to find is what they call “doll needles”. I don't hand stitch so I can't help with sizes but if you search for "stitching needles" or "harness needles" you should come up with a few options from places like Tandy and Weaver ( https://www.weaverleathersupply.com/collections/needles ). kgg Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
zuludog Report post Posted August 3, 2023 According to the conversion chart I've seen 11 oz leather is 4,4mm thick; let's say the pigskin is 0,8mm thick, so the total thickness would be 4,4 + 4,4 + 0,8 + 0,8 = 10,4mm I'd use John James Saddler's Harness Needles item code L3912 size 002 and 0,6mm diameter synthetic thread or size 18/3 or 432 linen thread Beware - JJ needle sizing is confusing - make sure you buy size 002 and not 2/0 Rocky Mountain Leather Supplies have these needles & thread, but there may be others Most stitching chisels will not completely go through this thickness of leather so you will also need a saddler's awl aka diamond awl Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
327fed Report post Posted August 3, 2023 .030 waxed thread. I have the awls and the chisels. Just not motivated. If not for a good friend I would say forget it. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
fredk Report post Posted August 4, 2023 (edited) 2 hours ago, 327fed said: .030 waxed thread.. . . is that 0.030 of an inch? if so, I convert that to 0.76mm (I work in mm) or roughly 0.8mm. I think a saddlers harness needle of 0.8mm or 1mm should do. That would a JJ size 4 (50 x 0.86mm) or a 001/002/003 (which are all identical sizes of 55mm x 1.02mm) Edited August 4, 2023 by fredk Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
327fed Report post Posted August 4, 2023 Yes that is 0.030 inch. Thanks. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
zuludog Report post Posted August 4, 2023 JJ L3912 needles have small eyes and can only accommodate thread up to about 0,6mm dia For thicker thread I use Tandy needles item code 1195-00 ; they are cheap enough at $2-99 for a pack of 10 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
