ToddB 68 Report post Posted December 17, 2013 (edited) Hi Leatherworkers ! I am a "newbie" making a sheath for a digging tool out of 12 oz. veg-tanned cowhide. I've been listening to the videos by Nigel Armitage and have decided to switch from 5 to 6 spi on this project for better appearance. That means I'll be buying another "overstitcher" (Wood handle with 6 spi spacer wheel at the end of a curved shank.). BTW, my current 5 spi tool is a Tandy no. 8079-05. Going further with Nigel's advice, I plan to buy some Poly 5 cord thread, pre-waxed, R.H. twist and some appropriate-size John James harness needles, blunt-tipped and the eye being no larger than the adjacent needle diameter (eye not bulbous), which brings me to the topic of this post....I need some advice on the appropriate John James harness needle size (diameter and length). Thanks for your help ! ; c ) Todd64 Edited December 17, 2013 by ToddB68 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jackd942 Report post Posted December 17, 2013 Personally I use size 2. They are just over 2 inches long. I'm not sure about the thread you plan to use, but I've been using that size with pretty large Tejas waxed thread. I have to prepare the ends, but I usually get the thread started fairly easily. Not as easily as a larger eye needle, but still not a problem. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ToddB 68 Report post Posted December 18, 2013 Thanks for your reply jackd942 . I'll hang on to your information, but before making a purchase, I would still like to have a few more replies from leatherworkers who have used John James harness needles with Poly 5 cord thread to hand stitch heavy leather ; i.e. what needle size worked well for them ? ToddB64 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Matt S Report post Posted December 18, 2013 Yeah no2 needles ought to do for thread of about that size. If you have trouble threading them, taper the Emma of your thread. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ToddB 68 Report post Posted December 29, 2013 (edited) jackd942 and Matt S, To set the stage again, I'm a newbie leatherworker. After doing my own research, I ended up going with your advice and ordered a pack of (25) John James #2 (1.02mm /.0402" dia.) harness needles. In addition to asking the advice of leatherworking members here, I like to do some research myself as this helps me gather information and learn more before making a final decision on something and spending my hard-earned cash ! In addition, I just received a hank of 5-cord waxed Poly thread (24 threads, each 72" long.). I measured the diameter of this thread, using a six inch SS pocket scale and my eye-balls said it is 3/64" dia. (.047"). I'll be taper-cutting the end and rolling between thumb and forefinger to get it into the needle eye. The cost was very reasonable. I'll be consulting with an expert leatherworker next week on the best size (max. width) of diamond awl blade for hand-sewing my tool sheath, which I'm making from 12 oz. veg-tanned cowhide. I already have a haft with a 4-jaw chuck inherited from my father. I'm switching from 5 to 6 spi (spaces per inch) on the stitching, per an opinion from a Nigel Armitage video I watched and have ordered a new overstitch wheel system consisting of a haft , three spacer wheels, 5, 6 and 7 spi and a wrench. I got the system on a year-end sale, but adding the S&H and tax almost doubled the cost (Still reasonable though.) Thanks again for your help ! ToddB68 Edited December 29, 2013 by ToddB68 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
