very large cones for #69 in UK

[Matt S]

25 minutes ago, chrisash said:

Thanks Matt

I did look at 40s and it looks far better than #69 monofilament and presumably nearly as strong. No sure how strong it is to tiger 0.45 mm that i use for hand stitching  as i like to look of the stitch standing out

Still a learner by a long way and only making light items so guess strength is not really a problem, after all cotton on shirts and trousers seem to last ok

I'm not familiar with that sort of thread, the only monofilament I've come across was basic fishing line. TKT 40 nylon is usually a 3-strand twist, and may or may not be bonded. The thread used for top stitching jeans, for comparison, is usually one size larger (TKT 30) and a softer unbonded polycotton which makes it look chunky.

TKT40 nylon has a breaking strain about 11lb for what it's worth. I also like the look of heavier thread and only use 40 where the leather is too thin to reliably lock tkt20 stitches inside the seam, or if I'm using a specialist machine that can't handle heavier thread, or if I need to match the appearance of another seam. Shirts, I think, are sewn with far lighter and softer thread -- 60s 80s or 120s, often cotton or polycotton -- mostly to prevent puckering and have their strain spread across several parallel stitch lines whereas in leather we often use just one. You can snap this thread easily by hand but even "just" 40 nylon cuts into my skin before it snaps.

Tiger thread, being a flat braid, is difficult to compare with twisted thread. I've never seen strength ratings for it however I think that even the smallest size is far stronger than tkt40 nylon.

[chrisash]

Hi Matt

Just looked at your site, nice items but wondering if you served in the RN with the Rum connection

Chris