Needles breaking at the eye

[BradB]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pot_metal

Ah hah thanks!

BTW, 'pot metal' is the metal that used to be used for hood ornaments, window-winding handles & car logos on '40s. '50s & '60s automobiles (maybe later). Also known as 'white metal'.

Thanks!

[Jordan]

Bandaids on your fingers before you start and those long eye's break at the slightest wrong angle when pulling them through the leather. Problem is thin metal of the eye just at the point that you are most likely to pull it out at an odd angle.

[jimsaddler]

Thanks again for the response and the help/suggestions... Now to build up calluses or make some gloves or covering on my hands, they are so sore from sewing last night I can hardly type lol. I know there was a thread on here about different ways to cover your hands... Off to search for that... this site is great!!

I've watched quite a few comments about the different needles used for sewing Leather, so the following might be of assistance as it is well and truely tested by experience.

" If sewing Leather of any substance over 2 mm, only use Egg Eyed Harness Needles and a good Harness Awl". They have been developed over many centuries for this purpose. Breakages should be minimul as you should not have too much strain on the Eye. It boils down to having the right size needle for the Thread. If the needle is too small the lump at the eye will cause the eye to break when you try to force it through the hole. The same goes for the Awl Blade, it should match the Needles. Pliers should not be needed, the same goes for finger guards or Gloves. Use the right tools for the Job! Sore fingers are only tempory, start out steady and get your Hands toughened up over a week or so. They will! Piddle on them to speed things up.

I've seen many different types of Needles sold as Leather Needle, most have a long eye. There s no way that they should be labeled as Suitable for sewing Leather. Glorified Dressmakers Needles is all they are.

Glovers Needles are just that and should be used for light self piercing jobs. They are used singly for sewing and never go through the same hole again with them or you will cut the thread.

Harness Needles have a rounded point for this reason, so as to avoid piercing the thread in the Hole. The Awl Blade should be just big enough to allow the threaded Needles to be pased through reasonably smoothly, but not too big.

Please have a Happy Day.

Kindest Regards.

Jim.

[Hilly]

I've watched quite a few comments about the different needles used for sewing Leather, so the following might be of assistance as it is well and truely tested by experience.

" If sewing Leather of any substance over 2 mm, only use Egg Eyed Harness Needles and a good Harness Awl". They have been developed over many centuries for this purpose. Breakages should be minimul as you should not have too much strain on the Eye. It boils down to having the right size needle for the Thread. If the needle is too small the lump at the eye will cause the eye to break when you try to force it through the hole. The same goes for the Awl Blade, it should match the Needles. Pliers should not be needed, the same goes for finger guards or Gloves. Use the right tools for the Job! Sore fingers are only tempory, start out steady and get your Hands toughened up over a week or so. They will! Piddle on them to speed things up.

I've seen many different types of Needles sold as Leather Needle, most have a long eye. There s no way that they should be labeled as Suitable for sewing Leather. Glorified Dressmakers Needles is all they are.

Glovers Needles are just that and should be used for light self piercing jobs. They are used singly for sewing and never go through the same hole again with them or you will cut the thread.

Harness Needles have a rounded point for this reason, so as to avoid piercing the thread in the Hole. The Awl Blade should be just big enough to allow the threaded Needles to be pased through reasonably smoothly, but not too big.

Please have a Happy Day.

Kindest Regards.

Jim.

Hi Jim. I have always enjoyed reading your replies, and learning from them. Thanks you.

Can you recommend a source for harness awls? I currently have only a diamond point awl from C.S.Osborn, but would really like

to try a different (or a couple different) awls.

Hilly

[Jordan]

Silly me I thought that only worked with jellyfish stings

[jimsaddler]

Hi Jim. I have always enjoyed reading your replies, and learning from them. Thanks you.

Can you recommend a source for harness awls? I currently have only a diamond point awl from C.S.Osborn, but would really like

to try a different (or a couple different) awls.

Hilly

Hi Hilly

Thankyou so much for your kind comments. Unfortunately I haven't had to buy any for years as I collected so many over the years I'm well stocked. Plus I make my own out of old blades that are too big. But if you can E-mail me a postal address I'll send you a special Blade for #12 sewing that is older than me to try. A mate gave me these a while ago and I have a spare.

A good tip is to watch out for old Hardware stores closing down, as amongst the old stock sometimes there are old Awl Blades. I have a lot of these from sources like this. Some are huge, but the Steel is very good so I slowly grind them down to suit what want. As I've mentioned before Good Bicycle Spokes also make good fine Awls when ground to a flat diamond.

Always make the diamond profile flat to give a neat slope to your row of stitches.

By the way I'm trying to get a short movie of Hand Sewing and Thread making made (Slowly) for those that are interested. I'll try to get it posted on my new Website when it's up and running.

Kindest Regards.

Jim.

[TwinOaks]

I wonder if annealing the needles would do any good.

[Hilly]

Hi Hilly

Thankyou so much for your kind comments. Unfortunately I haven't had to buy any for years as I collected so many over the years I'm well stocked. Plus I make my own out of old blades that are too big. But if you can E-mail me a postal address I'll send you a special Blade for #12 sewing that is older than me to try. A mate gave me these a while ago and I have a spare.

A good tip is to watch out for old Hardware stores closing down, as amongst the old stock sometimes there are old Awl Blades. I have a lot of these from sources like this. Some are huge, but the Steel is very good so I slowly grind them down to suit what want. As I've mentioned before Good Bicycle Spokes also make good fine Awls when ground to a flat diamond.

Always make the diamond profile flat to give a neat slope to your row of stitches.

By the way I'm trying to get a short movie of Hand Sewing and Thread making made (Slowly) for those that are interested. I'll try to get it posted on my new Website when it's up and running.

Kindest Regards.

Jim.

PM sent!

[BradB]

Silly me I thought that only worked with jellyfish stings

I thought it was for athletes foot!!

I've watched quite a few comments about the different needles used for sewing Leather, so the following might be of assistance as it is well and truely tested by experience." If sewing Leather of any substance over 2 mm, only use Egg Eyed Harness Needles and a good Harness Awl". They have been developed over many centuries for this purpose. Breakages should be minimul as you should not have too much strain on the Eye. It boils down to having the right size needle for the Thread. If the needle is too small the lump at the eye will cause the eye to break when you try to force it through the hole. The same goes for the Awl Blade, it should match the Needles. Pliers should not be needed, the same goes for finger guards or Gloves. Use the right tools for the Job! Sore fingers are only tempory, start out steady and get your Hands toughened up over a week or so. They will! Piddle on them to speed things up. I've seen many different types of Needles sold as Leather Needle, most have a long eye. There s no way that they should be labeled as Suitable for sewing Leather. Glorified Dressmakers Needles is all they are. Glovers Needles are just that and should be used for light self piercing jobs. They are used singly for sewing and never go through the same hole again with them or you will cut the thread. Harness Needles have a rounded point for this reason, so as to avoid piercing the thread in the Hole. The Awl Blade should be just big enough to allow the threaded Needles to be pased through reasonably smoothly, but not too big. Please have a Happy Day. Kindest Regards. Jim.

Thanks for the advice Jim!!! What is your website address by the way??

[Tracker]

I just buy lots of needles and don't worry about it too much.