Needle / thread size question.

[WMages]

Please forgive this no doubt redundant topic. I recently purchased a new CB4500. It came set up with #277  w/ size 25 needle. I've made one holster with it and noticed the holes seem comparatively large for the #277 thread. Without changing tension etc, I switched to a size 24 needle and the stitch looks great on top and bottom on scrap layers the same thickness as the belt I intend to sew with it. I've read the charts showing #277 requires the 25 but saw in one place a chart or a post, saying 24,25,&26 were the recommended needles for that size thread. I like how it's sewing and thread is behaving very good, ie no fraying etc. Would using the one size needle cause any issues with the machine, so long as the stitching is going good?  TIA 

[Northmount]

@WMages I moved your post to Leather Sewing Machines.  Here's where the machine guys with experience hang out.

[alfredleatherworks]

1 hour ago, WMages said:

Please forgive this no doubt redundant topic. I recently purchased a new CB4500. It came set up with #277  w/ size 25 needle. I've made one holster with it and noticed the holes seem comparatively large for the #277 thread. Without changing tension etc, I switched to a size 24 needle and the stitch looks great on top and bottom on scrap layers the same thickness as the belt I intend to sew with it. I've read the charts showing #277 requires the 25 but saw in one place a chart or a post, saying 24,25,&26 were the recommended needles for that size thread. I like how it's sewing and thread is behaving very good, ie no fraying etc. Would using the one size needle cause any issues with the machine, so long as the stitching is going good?  TIA 

If you check out the very helpful pdf from Sailrite here, and pay specific attention at the moment to page 8, they list needle sizes for Tex 270/V277 as 24-26. You will often see two or three needle sizes listed for each thread size, and that is because the thread “flows” differently through each needle size based on the stitch length, tension, and thickness of material. I tend to do well going with the middle needle size for each thread, but it takes a little dialing in on each project. If I just can’t get it right, depending on the situation, I’ll go up or down a needle size.

If you think the holes look too large on your project and that the thread isn’t filling them enough, do what you did and go down a size. If it looks good, run with it. Bigger holes and thicker thread look more industrial, and you can use that to your advantage if you’re going for that sort of look. If you want it more refined, but still want the thicker thread, then the smart thing is to try going down a needle size to get the holes filled more fully and gain a more refined look. Stitch length has a similar effect, in that smaller stitch lengths look more refined, so you could also try shortening your stitch length along with the smaller needle size to get a nice refined look regardless of thread/needle size combo.

As far as causing a problem with your machine, I doubt it. If it’s sewing smoothly, you’re probably going to be just fine. Just keep an eye on it until you are sure, but I don’t think you’ll have an issue. You’ll learn to hear and feel differences in your machine as it sews, and you’ll learn to know pretty fast if you’re going to be ok or not. It just takes time and practice (and maybe a few more questions here, lol!).

Have fun! And maybe show us some photos 😉

[WMages]

Thanks for the responses. Although I've been on this forum for a while, I haven't fully learned my way around here yet. Thanks again.

 

[alfredleatherworks]

21 minutes ago, WMages said:

Thanks for the responses. Although I've been on this forum for a while, I haven't fully learned my way around here yet. Thanks again.

 

No problem! And no worries, lol. I enjoy teaching and sharing info, as does a large portion of the folks on the forum here. Learning how to use the search function and then subsequently wading through the immense wealth of info/knowledge on the forum is no small undertaking, and it doesn’t always get you the immediate answer you might need. Please never feel afraid of asking a question, someone here will generally either answer it directly or link to a previous thread with the answer.

[AlZilla]

On 5/30/2026 at 6:14 PM, alfredleatherworks said:

 Please never feel afraid of asking a question, someone here will generally either answer it directly or link to a previous thread with the answer.

Well said. 

[WMages]

I finished this holster this morning. Since sewing this with a size 25 needle, I've switched to the size 24. 

[chuck123wapati]

That's some nice work, tell us about the leather, thickness, and liner. 

[WMages]

The outer shell is 6 oz Vegetan, liner is 3 oz vegetan. The outside reinforcement overlay is 6 oz from the same side as the "outer shell" I just gave it several more coats of Neat's-foot Oil.  I'm getting good performance out my holsters but still struggling a bit with aesthetics.