Yet another "What size thread" request

[Chris623]

I purchased a box of waxed thread, some needles and a few other items from flea-bay recently. I'm a newbie, so had no idea the majority of the contents were useless for my purposes. Later I was told to purchase James Johns #1/0 Harness needles for my sheath making. Tried the waxed thread that came in the box of (mostly) junk only to find I'd probably have more luck pushing an Elephant through the eye in my needles! So what size thread will go through the eye of my #1/0 needles? I'm using Tandy Leathers Veg Tanned Shoulders for material at present.

[McCarthy]

What stitching irons are you using?

[Chris623]

I'm using Tandy's 3mm 88056 chisels.  But forgive a newbie.................what does that have to do with finding a thread size to go through the eye of the needle???

Edited September 28, 2020 by Chris623

[McCarthy]

21 minutes ago, Chris623 said:

I'm using Tandy's 3mm 88056 chisels.  But forgive a newbie.................what does that have to do with finding a thread size to go through the eye of the needle???

0.8 mm Ritza tiger thread and John James 002 needles would be better suited for those irons. 1/0 needles are too big, they would go with 4mm irons and Ritza 1.0 or 1.2.

[Chris623]

This is a good example of a newbie asking questions of folks who have experience with all this stuff.  Everyone I ask has a different answer.

Thanks for responding.  I'm doing my best to learn about all of this, but it's not been easy.

[toxo]

3 hours ago, Chris623 said:

I purchased a box of waxed thread, some needles and a few other items from flea-bay recently. I'm a newbie, so had no idea the majority of the contents were useless for my purposes. Later I was told to purchase James Johns #1/0 Harness needles for my sheath making. Tried the waxed thread that came in the box of (mostly) junk only to find I'd probably have more luck pushing an Elephant through the eye in my needles! So what size thread will go through the eye of my #1/0 needles? I'm using Tandy Leathers Veg Tanned Shoulders for material at present.

Everything is a compromise. The smaller the thread the neater it looks but the harder it is to sew if the hole is small and the needle is large. If you have a decent amount of thread buy different needles. John James #2 will be useful. JJ#3 will take a 1mm thread. when saddle stitching it's good to put both needles in the hole at the same time, this negates piercing the thread which will give you a headache. If you have to, you can do one needle at a time but must be extra careful to not pierce threads. Make sure you buy harness needles which are blunt.

[Chris623]

Right now the only thread I have is that big bulky waxed thread that came in the flea-bay "kit"...............which is why I asked the question in the first place.  My primary goal in leather working is to make sheaths for my knives.  I think I need 1 size needle and the thread that fits it.  I've got 3mm slanted diamond pricking irons.  I've spent (what to me is a lot) lot of money buying Tandy's Pro series and have a 1, 2, 4 and 9 prong irons.  I don't really care to have to buy more.  I haven't even looked at my James Johns harness needles that closely, so don't know if they are blunt or not.  Brother, what a mess!

[McCarthy]

16 minutes ago, Chris623 said:

Right now the only thread I have is that big bulky waxed thread that came in the flea-bay "kit"...............which is why I asked the question in the first place.  My primary goal in leather working is to make sheaths for my knives.  I think I need 1 size needle and the thread that fits it.  I've got 3mm slanted diamond pricking irons.  I've spent (what to me is a lot) lot of money buying Tandy's Pro series and have a 1, 2, 4 and 9 prong irons.  I don't really care to have to buy more.  I haven't even looked at my James Johns harness needles that closely, so don't know if they are blunt or not.  Brother, what a mess!

If you can show us an example of the sort of stitching you want to do, we can give advice on how to achieve it.

[Chris623]

I don't have any examples..............because I've not started stitching yet. 

Edit:

I have to correct myself.  Didn't stop to think I'm carrying my EDC in a holster with the stitch I want to duplicate.

Edited September 29, 2020 by Chris623

[McCarthy]

51 minutes ago, Chris623 said:

I don't have any examples..............because I've not started stitching yet. 

Edit:

I have to correct myself.  Didn't stop to think I'm carrying my EDC in a holster with the stitch I want to duplicate.

How many stitches per inch? I can't tell without seeing the whole holster but I would guess it's 6 SPI.  These chisels in 4mm are what I would recommend for that kind of work. Maybe even 5mm, if you are going to be doing thick welts.