ChristinaC Report post Posted December 6, 2023 We just purchased a Rex 345-3L Industrial Sewing machine. This has been changed over to a foot feed. I tried all the stores around me to find a needle that would work for heavy leather . I have a manual for it , it says 16 x 231 needle. If I understand this correctly I could use a 135 x 17 size #22 or # 23 . The lady I got it from and leather store said I need a Flat shank. Which so far all I can find is a round shank . I'm having a heck of a time finding a Flat Shank 135x17 size # 22 or 23 . Has anyone ran into this problem ? If so what are you using ? This is for my son he is using the machine to make gun holsters/ belts / ANYTHING leather lol ..... Thank you so much for your help Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Burkhardt Report post Posted December 6, 2023 Not sure if you put the wrong numbers in the first size, but the 135x17 is a cloth/fabric material needle. A 135x16 is a leather needle, same sized needles just the 135x16's are for leather. In most cases the flat shank needle are for home/domestic sewing machines.https://www.bantamsaddletack.com/HAx1-15x1-Needles-for-Chinese-Patcher-Sewing-Machines--10-pack_p_49.html Bantam carries some bigger sizes with flat shanks for people with the Chinese shoe patcher sewing machines or can find some on Ebay but none of them are leather needles. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Constabulary Report post Posted December 6, 2023 (edited) If the needle for your machine is 16x231 then you need a round shank needle. The needle system 16 (as from the Singer 16) is also called System 34 or 287 or 1738. Here you can find different leather needles for the mentioned needle system: https://www.thethreadexchange.com/miva/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Category_Code=NDL-34 Edited December 6, 2023 by Constabulary Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Constabulary Report post Posted December 6, 2023 BTW - hope you are aware that is is not a heavy duty leather sewing machine. It was used for sewing garments and maybe some lightweight leather. What leather thickness (all layers together) do you want to sew and with what thread size? Those who think it is a heavy duty machine usually come form domestic sewing machines and think because of size and weight it has to be a "Hevay Duty" machine. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kgg Report post Posted December 6, 2023 9 hours ago, ChristinaC said: I have a manual for it , it says 16 x 231 needle. If I understand this correctly I could use a 135 x 17 size #22 or # 23 . No, the length of the 16x231 needles is 33.9mm with a shank diameter of 1.63mm while the length of the 135 x 16 or the 135x17 is 38.9mm and the diameter of the shank is 2mm. 9 hours ago, ChristinaC said: This is for my son he is using the machine to make gun holsters/ belts / ANYTHING leather lol ..... This machine is not going to be able to sew gun holsters or belts. It probably will only be able to sew very thin leather. kgg Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CowboyBob Report post Posted December 6, 2023 The leather point for this machine is 16x2 ,.which we have in stock.You'll be able to sew thinner wallets or checkbook covers on this machine & a teflon foot will help he leather slide through easier. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ChristinaC Report post Posted December 6, 2023 I'm not for sure how to replay to each of you . Thank you sooo much for the help. The machine is a knock off of the old Singer ( it says made by Nakajima ) . I think this is older than me LOL !! Some background info.. *** My husband and son ( 13 yrs old ) picked this machine up so they can have something to do together .Son is REALLY into making holsters ** So I am the one to try to find out what needles and how to get this machine running .. We didn't want to spend thousands of dollars on something he might not enjoy doing . Right now he is sewing by ALL by hand. So for Christmas he put his money in on this machine and I hope I can atleast get it going to help him some . Burkhardt - The 135 x 17 is what google told me ( which I'm older than goggle lol ) wish I had my grandma to ask . The manual does say 16x231( DPx1) Constabulary - Yes is says 16 x 231 my son wants to use it for 9-10 ounce leather thread #138 kgg - Thank you CowboyBob- Thank you Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MtlBiker Report post Posted December 6, 2023 @ChristinaC - I'll leave the experts here to advise you about the chances of using v138 thread and 9-10 oz leather, but I highly doubt if you'll be able to do that. I am jumping in though to help you with your comment about not knowing how to "replay" to each person... You simply type the at sign @ and start typing the name of the person you want to reply to and pick it from the list that comes up. That way they will be notified there is a reply for them, otherwise they won't know unless they happen to visit the thread again. Good luck! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
