Help Needed : Thread And Needle Sizes For Smaller Wallets/cases

[katsass]

Well Mike, Hoppe's can be used for a number of purposes, but I guess that as a scent it seems to fall a bit short for most folk. Mike

[Horrrk]

It sounds like you have an especially loving wife there Mike..dedicated enough to try and get a scent that you'd like her to wear..plus once she found out exactly what she'd been asking the staff for in the stores..she actually left you alive.!! Haha! She's a keeper!! lol

Regards

Phil

[ChuckBurrows]

Thread - I like 25/3 linen or the standard 18/3 linen. Another option is fine hemp thread or silk thread (not the embroidery floss) for needles #2 or #3 Osborne egg eye needles ( get them from Campbell-Bosworth) or the excellent John James needles which are made in England.

Since you're in England you can get the 18/3 linen and the needles in the proper sizes from Leprovo, which will save a bit on shipping and VAT.

Also grind/file down your awl blade to a finer size and then polish it well.

As katsass noted the harness needles now offered by Tandy/LF are crapola - they used to carry the John James but apparently no more and the new ones break eyes easily - with the Osbornes or James I've only broken eyes only when either bending them or wearing them out from long term usage.

BTW - I for sewing and getting a better grip I use the rubber fingers tips that you can get at most office supply stores I use one only on my index finger and find that sufficient most of the time, but you can also use on on your thumb - I seldom use pliers except in extreme cases...

[Bob Blea]

Thanks everyone! This has been very helpful information. I need to stop by wallyworld today anyway and I'll look for those upholstery needles. I could probably use the rubber finger covers too.

Bob

[Horrrk]

Since you're in England you can get the 18/3 linen and the needles in the proper sizes from Leprovo, which will save a bit on shipping and VAT.

Also grind/file down your awl blade to a finer size and then polish it well.

Hi Chuck..yeah I have a list of things which I'm going to order from Le Prevo, as and when the pennies allow, including a pack of 25, size 1 saddlers needles, some 18/3 linen and a 2" awl, among other things..

I've done hours of surfing around and nine times out of ten, they come up the cheapest for a lot of things I need, toolwise anyway..

As far as Tandy goes..we don't have a UK one now, but one in Europe, I believe..and after reports on the quality of Tandy's products, I don't usually look at their site to see what they have to offer.

Just found a guy on our UK eBay who sells Fiebring's Oil based dyes, but hasn't listed any yet..so he's on my 'to order from' list too..lol

Sigh..the never ending list..

Thanks for the advice folks..I sincerely hope it's helped c2369zulu out with his dliemma, cos it's helped me along the way..

Regards

Phil

[LoneStar]

ramrod was spot-on with the glovers needles. much tougher than tandys regular stiching needles. Bought a pack of ten and am still using the first one a month later. Just dull the tip a bit and you're in business.

[RoosterShooter]

Coming from a new guy ....

I bought 1 package of every type of needle offered at Tandy Leather. I wasn't sure which one would fit me best, and am glad I did. In doing different projects, I have found that some needles suit the application better than having a 'one needle does all' approach to things.

In doing different projects I have found that where one needle might be perfect for 'Project A' ... another type of needle might be better suited for 'Project B', and so on and so forth.

Hope that helps you. Think outside the box!

Oh yeah .... do yourself a favor and pick up a cheap pair of small, flat jawed jeweler's needle nose pliers at your local art supply store. I paid $4 for mine at Hobby Lobby with the printable 40% coupon from their website. Your hands will thank you for it!

Edited October 17, 2012 by RoosterShooter