Nylon thread types?

[TBCleather]

So I somehow tricked my Brother LS2-B837 in to reliably using 346 top and bottom and I had a question about Nylon thread.

I’ve purchased multiple spools from different places: 207, 277, 346 from mandala crafts on amazon. 277 and 346 from Maine thread company. And some 277 from Amazon with no branding other than “Nylon 66”. They all claim to be bonded thread, but the mandala craft stuff is multiple twisted chords of bundled fibers and a softer feel, the Maine and random Amazon stuff appears to be twisted monofilaments, with a stiff feel. Also the stiffer thread feels and looks thinner than the softer stuff but looks the same after stitched, I’m guessing that’s a stretch thing. 
 

I guess my question is: Is it common to have different tempers and construction styles between different manufacturers (or suppliers in this case, it’s probably all Chinese) and still claim it’s bonded nylon? And is one better than the other for some reason?

[kgg]

1 hour ago, TBCleather said:

Is it common to have different tempers and construction styles between different manufacturers (or suppliers in this case, it’s probably all Chinese) and still claim it’s bonded nylon? And is one better than the other for some reason?

My understanding is:

i) The Maine Thread Company located in Maine makes their own thread in the USA.

ii) Mandala Crafts located in Texas appears to be a reseller of thread made by some other company. They don't list the thread as being made anywhere in particular.

iii) Thread typically with "no branding" is more then likely from China. My experience with Chinese made thread has never been good. You maybe lucky and get good quality thread or not.

iv) Darker threads like Black are stiffer the lighter colors as it has to do with the thread dying process.

v) There generally is slight differences between batches of thread from the same manufacturer or if the manufacturer has more then one factory. With brand name threads this should be minimal but with the Chinese stuff all bets are off as to quality or consistency let alone from different manufacturers.

vi) From the information I have seen Nylon 66 is supposed to be slightly stronger and better with dealing with some chemicals however it absorbs more moisture and is weaker in dry environments.

I would suggest you go with threads made in North America like Maine Thread Company (made in USA) there website is https://mainethread.com/  or American & Efird (made in Canada ( http://www.amefird.ca/home/  ) and USA ( https://www.amefird.com/ )). You will be guaranteed to get consistency and quality regardless of thread size or spool size when you buy brand name thread. Yes they are going to be more expensive then the Chinese no name threads which in my experience is just frustration. 

kgg

[Wizcrafts]

51 minutes ago, TBCleather said:

I guess my question is: Is it common to have different tempers and construction styles between different manufacturers (or suppliers in this case, it’s probably all Chinese) and still claim it’s bonded nylon? And is one better than the other for some reason?

Every bonded thread manufacturer uses a different chemical formula to process the strands. Once of the steps involves dyeing the nylon the color to be wound in that run. It is my understanding, from a discussion I had with a thread manufacturer in Canada, that black thread is/was doubled dyed, where lighter colors were single dyed. If I recall that discussion, they first dyed the filaments deep blue, then black. This resulted in a beautiful black finish, but a stiffer thread that tended to be "coily" as it unwinds off the spool. It was only their black bonded nylon that had this stiffness.

As for the thread size, there is a standard chart that shows the recommended thickness of each size. Manufacturers try to stay close to the standards, but nobody forces them to do so. Some brands will be thicker or thinner than others, but not by much. Then, there is a variation in thickness based upon whose standard you build to. The American thread sizes are referred to as a number, like b69, v92, 6.6. European thread uses a different measurement called TEX. A US b69 is also known as Tex 70. US 277 is Tex 270. There is sometimes an actual difference in diameter between some spools of 277 vs T270.

Your softer thread was probably single dyed and not bonded as aggressively.

[CowboyBob]

12 minutes ago, kgg said:

My understanding is:

i) The Maine Thread Company located in Maine makes their own thread in the USA.

 

kgg

Quoted from their website.

All of our waxed polyester products are manufactured in house. Explore the products we manufacture, or shop cotton cord, nylon machine threads, and various sewing threads and accessories we distribute.