Help with thread size understanding and selection

[Mhicks]

Thank you for all of the info, I do believe I finally have the thread sizes figured out for the most part now and defiantly know what to use for my machines going forward.

I to would be interested in the Chinese sellers for when I might need a couple of different colors.

[brmax]

It’s good to hear your ready for some threads. With using the polyester and nylon thread I find no desire to worry about the cost of a bobbin full of thread. It’s really not worth looking elsewhere. Rather in my opinion smartly use the names locally mentioned here on the site frequently. Theres a satisfaction I get knowing the company selling these threads for my projects and products is just my kind of secure. 

The only tips I can pass on at this stage is get the 1lb spools in your whites and blacks. If you decide on a consistant other color, this is also where big spools will be a no brainer.  Good luck and enjoy fun

 

Good day

Floyd

[DrmCa]

Although I had some bad blood from dealing with Thread Exchange, they are still a decent source of thread and much closer than Chinese. I did not like how they handled my complaint re completely wrong color shipped, but otherwise they have a good selection. Kind of pricey, yes, but they are within reach. I do not use them anymore as I found another source within a driving distance who do not ship their products and are a walk in/cash only.

[JLSleather]

Wherever you get your thread, know that even though the size on it is the same, thread from different manufacturers may not match.  I say that because I had to find it out, nobody SAID that... you can get "277" thread from one supplier that is NOT the same size as "277" from another supplier.  So perhaps it's a good idea to PICK ONE and stick with that supplier much as possible.

Having said that, I like the stuff I get from Bob 'n' friends at Toledo Ind.  207, 277, 346, glides though the machine and the leather like it was LUBED

 

[DonInReno]

On April 26, 2018 at 11:40 AM, SheltathaLore said:

You can't tease us with that and then not tell us the name of the seller!

Lol - I looked up the seller and they are no longer as cheap as they were 6 months ago.  I won't even mention the name because their thread today may be from a complete different manufacturer.  Looking through Amazon and Craig's list there are still some deals out there - $12/lb delivered bonded nylon can be had, but pick carefully!  Some great deals on American thread, but the born-on-dates are getting up there.  

My biggest disappointment is with Amazon and how their listings are so much pay-for-play that the best deals never show up on searches.  It's like they strip keywords from sellers they don't like (aren't paying extra for placement) and even if you know a product is in there it can take some creative searches to find it.  

eBay has some sellers that once in a while sell a limited quantity of thread at a very low price to keep their name toward the top of the list on low price searches - it's more difficult to find these opportunities since some asshats list one or two yard samples in the same space as 1/4 lb spools - total bait and switch if you ask me!

Searching closed transactions on eBay shows that some regular sources are selling significantly below the normal price - it never hurts to ask for a price break apparently!

Finally I can't help but be intrigued by the random bags of partial spools in random sizes and colors at The Thread Exchange for cheap.