kevlar thread?!

[barra]

Nomex is made by DuPont. I'll look up where we get it from in Australia tomorrow.

Barra

[Bree]

Unless you have to have fire resistant thread it's going to be tough to justify $63 per 8 oz versus $9 per 8 oz for #69 bonded thread Nomex vs Nylon or Poly. You lose a lot of breaking strength going to Nomex as well... probably about 40%. Quite frankly if fire resistance AND strength are needed, Kevlar is a better choice methinks since it costs about the same as Nomex. OTOH... once again, Kevlar is so strong that it might be TOO strong.

My $.02

[thunderzy]

Wow!! thanks everybody!

[5shot]

I make a fair bit of strapping for gallopers and harness horses and I find the nylon handles wear and tear a lot better than the poly.

Tony.

Interesting - I use nylon for my holsters, but hear lots of Internet Experts who talk about the superiority of Poly. Good info!

[kenny]

Interesting discussion, i was thinking of using kevlar thread but i've decided not to worry about it after reading this. Nylon seems to be hard to get in different colors so i was going to go with polyester. What would you all recommended nylon or poly?

Also what is a good size thread to use for bike leathers/jackets etc? I had some 20 but it seemed a bit big, i noticed Bree mentioned #69 is that the size you're referring to there Bree?

[Bree]

Interesting discussion, i was thinking of using kevlar thread but i've decided not to worry about it after reading this. Nylon seems to be hard to get in different colors so i was going to go with polyester. What would you all recommended nylon or poly?

Also what is a good size thread to use for bike leathers/jackets etc? I had some 20 but it seemed a bit big, i noticed Bree mentioned #69 is that the size you're referring to there Bree?

If I were going to be sewing biker leathers, I would use poly. It has a bit more UV resistance. I would use size 69 thread. It is pretty much the standard. It is .01" in diameter and has 10 or 11 pounds of tensile strength depending on the manufacture. It's good stuff.

Nylon would also work. The strength is similar but it likes UV less than poly. And biker jackets are exposed to UV and under stress. I often sew patches on with nylon because they are not stressed members of the garment but for seamwork I usually switch to poly. I keep both on hand.

[kenny]

Thanks a lot Bree that's a great help especially for a novice like me! Yep i think the 69 will be good especially for sewing lettering and those fiddly little bits.

I may try nylon but im only just starting so im trying to keep it simple

[BondoBobCustomSaddles]

Is poly and or bonded nylon strong enough to hold under extreme conditions? Remember this will be for my motorcycle racing leathers. I crash a decent amount, at least 3 times a year. The suit has to stay together under 40-80 mph impact and some 10-30 ft of pavement sliding.

OK Thunder! On a side note, I have raced most every thing that can be pitted against something else, however; ( and I am surprised no body chimed in on this) if I was getting dumped that much, I think I would be looking for something else to race I did a pavement slide once @ over 80mph many years ago, it happened and was over so quick that the slide itself didn't hurt, but; afterward was a real awakening!!

Bondo Bob