SheltathaLore Report post Posted December 27, 2017 I actually use a McKay needle in an awl handle to hand stitch soles to uppers, but I figured this would be the best forum to ask: how does sizing for these needles even work? I'd like to get a smaller one for finer work, but looking online, they all have pretty opaque sizing descriptions, like "#5". Anyone have a diameter to size chart I could look at? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wizcrafts Report post Posted December 27, 2017 I kept one of each size needle from my last Union Lockstitch machine and use them in my hand stitching awl. In the ULS needle system a #3 is a medium size that would hook #346 bonded, or 5 cord linen thread without ratting the cords. I used a #1 ULS needle for #138 thread and a #2 for #277 thread. The largest needle I had was a #4, which hooked 6 cord linen thread. You should be able to find someone who has extra Union Lockstitch needles in these sizes. Or, you can buy them new in packs of 10 from Campbell-Randall. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SheltathaLore Report post Posted December 28, 2017 Thanks for giving me a feel for what size thread is used with which needles! Now I have a much better idea of the sizing... before, I didn't even know whether the numbers went up or down for smaller sizes. If anyone has extras, I'd be happy to buy a few (I might post in the wanted board); I really don't need a pack of 10 of each size. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ChasCS Report post Posted December 28, 2017 (edited) 16 hours ago, Wizcrafts said: I kept one of each size needle from my last Union Lockstitch machine and use them in my hand stitching awl. In the ULS needle system a #3 is a medium size that would hook #346 bonded, or 5 cord linen thread without ratting the cords. I used a #1 ULS needle for #138 thread and a #2 for #277 thread. The largest needle I had was a #4, which hooked 6 cord linen thread. You should be able to find someone who has extra Union Lockstitch needles in these sizes. Or, you can buy them new in packs of 10 from Campbell-Randall. Is this PDF needle size chart any help in this instance? Chas JJ-Needles-Types-and-Sizes-Guide.pdf Edited December 28, 2017 by Northmount Loaded pdf Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wizcrafts Report post Posted December 28, 2017 7 minutes ago, ChasCS said: Is this PDF needle size chart any help in this instance? Chas You forgot to copy and paste the URL to that file. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ChasCS Report post Posted December 28, 2017 8 minutes ago, Wizcrafts said: You forgot to copy and paste the URL to that file. See my edit above. Add .pdf to the end of that addy, No, I posted it, but it didn't load or show the addy. Is there another way to share it here? Chas Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Northmount Report post Posted December 28, 2017 8 hours ago, ChasCS said: See my edit above. Add .pdf to the end of that addy, No, I posted it, but it didn't load or show the addy. Is there another way to share it here? Chas File is 16 MB so you couldn't upload it. Have uploaded it for you. See above post. The web page it is on is very slow, so may have given you problems too. Here is the URL https://www.jjneedles.com/downloads/JJ-Needles-Types-and-Sizes-Guide.pdf Tom Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ChasCS Report post Posted December 28, 2017 3 hours ago, Northmount said: File is 16 MB so you couldn't upload it. Have uploaded it for you. See above post. The web page it is on is very slow, so may have given you problems too. Here is the URL https://www.jjneedles.com/downloads/JJ-Needles-Types-and-Sizes-Guide.pdf Tom Hi Tom, Thank you for helping me have the addy useable. That was frustrating last night. I couldn't figure out why the file or address wouldn't appear correctly. Good stuff. Thanks again. Chas Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SheltathaLore Report post Posted December 28, 2017 Good ref! Although sadly it doesn't cover this kind of needle. I'm looking at my existing needle, trying to figure out what size it is... it says "GB 210-33", which sadly doesn't bring up anything on the googles. I'm guessing that it's a Groz-Beckert, just from the "GB", and there are a lot of 3's in there, so maybe it's a size 3?? Who knows. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SheltathaLore Report post Posted December 28, 2017 Some googling did find me these: https://www.groz-beckert.com/mm/media/en/web/pdf/Shoe_machine_needles_and_awls___Product_range.pdf https://www.groz-beckert.com/mm/media/en/web/pdf/Shoe_machine_needles_and_awls_.pdf Which at least translates the GB product numbers into sizes (the code indicates the diameter and length). Not a direct mapping to #3 or whatever, but I can at least look at a GB needle package and know what physical size I'm going to get. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wizcrafts Report post Posted December 28, 2017 4 minutes ago, SheltathaLore said: Good ref! Although sadly it doesn't cover this kind of needle. I'm looking at my existing needle, trying to figure out what size it is... it says "GB 210-33", which sadly doesn't bring up anything on the googles. I'm guessing that it's a Groz-Beckert, just from the "GB", and there are a lot of 3's in there, so maybe it's a size 3?? Who knows. It might be useful to locate a shoe repair shop within driving distance. Call them and ask if they have a McKay machine and ask if you can bring your needle over to compare to what they have. Alternately, locate a shoe repair machinery supplier that might carry parts for the McKay machines. Here is Bessey-McKay from Landis USA Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wizcrafts Report post Posted December 28, 2017 If Landis can't help with needle info, check with Pilgrim Shoe Equipment Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
