Thread size for sewing machines, can someone explain the numbers?

[Mulesaw]

Like the title says, can anyone give some sort of explanation about the thread size used for sewing machines? I have tried searching the forum, but still haven't found an answer. 

I read about #504 and#207, #74 etc, and I have to admit that I don't understand any of it. Apparently someone uses a thinner thread for the bobbin than for the upper thread, but again without the knowledge I'm just using the same size in both which might not be the optimal solution. The thread that I buy doesn't even have those numbers put on them, so I just try to guess my way. 

So far I use the Serafil 10 on the old harness stitcher, and Serafil 40 for the patcher.

But I would like to know if anyone has got a chart that would compare the European sizes with the # sizes.

Or if someone can link to an old thread that will explain it :-)

 

[kgg]

2 hours ago, Mulesaw said:

But I would like to know if anyone has got a chart that would compare the European sizes with the # sizes.

I good chart can be found at (https://www.tolindsewmach.com/thread-chart.html) also you should normally use the same size thread on the top as you use in the bobbin. The strength of the seam will be limited to the strength of the smallest thread size. Sometimes this is done for the look that a larger top thread gives or sometimes you can fool a machine into using a larger top thread then the machine is rated for by using the smaller machine rated bobbin thread.

kgg

[Mulesaw]

14 minutes ago, kgg said:

I good chart can be found at (https://www.tolindsewmach.com/thread-chart.html) also you should normally use the same size thread on the top as you use in the bobbin. The strength of the seam will be limited to the strength of the smallest thread size. Sometimes this is done for the look that a larger top thread gives or sometimes you can fool a machine into using a larger top thread then the machine is rated for by using the smaller machine rated bobbin thread.

kgg

Thanks a lot :-)

That was just what I was looking for.  When I bought needles for my machines, I just sort of picked different sizes so I had some of both ends of the specter, not knowing if a size 80 needle was bigger or smaller than a size 110. 
 

The smaller bobbin thread thing I have never tried, I have just seen it mentioned here a couple of times and thought that I most likely missed out on something. But I think I'll just keep on using the same size thread for top and bottom. 

Again thanks for helping.

 

Brgds

Jonas 

 

 

[DrmCa]

Also:
https://www.thethreadexchange.com/miva/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Category_Code=nylon-thread-information

https://www.thethreadexchange.com/miva/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Category_Code=needle_system_conversion_table

[Mulesaw]

14 minutes ago, DrmCa said:

Also:
https://www.thethreadexchange.com/miva/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Category_Code=nylon-thread-information

https://www.thethreadexchange.com/miva/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Category_Code=needle_system_conversion_table

Thanks, those are great links as well. Especially the one about the needle information. 

Whenever I tried to Google for some answers, mostly regular sewing machines turned up.

Brgds

Jonas

[chrisash]

69 thread, T70 and Ticket 20 are all the same size, in Europe many sewing supplies mark this as 20s, size 92 as 30s and size 138 as 20s

 

Edited January 18, 2022 by chrisash

[Mulesaw]

@chrisash Thanks, It's just so overwhelming when I read another thread with some information that I could benefit from, and then it translates to pure gibberish in my head because I don't understand what is meant with the sizes mentioned.

Brgds

Jonas

[Gymnast]

Hello Jonas

Amann Serafil thread got good quality, and I have used it a lot, and it is easy to buy in Denmark. It is a polyester thread. On the Amann website you can find the recommended needle sizes for it. Nylon thread is a bit thicker and almost the same thickness as the polyester thread for the same weight, because the density of polyester is a bit higher than nylon.
https://www.amann.com/products/product/serafil/

I think the link proposed by kgg to Toledo provides a good table to you as to the thread size specifications most used on this website. But there is more systems to define thread sizes than that, and some of them can be quite difficult to figure out.

/Viggo

[chrisash]

 Sorry my Mistook it should read

69 thread, T70 and Ticket 40 are all the same size, in Europe many sewing supplies mark this as 40s, and size 92 as 30s and size 138 as 20s

 

[Mulesaw]

1 hour ago, chrisash said:

 Sorry my Mistook it should read

69 thread, T70 and Ticket 40 are all the same size, in Europe many sewing supplies mark this as 40s, and size 92 as 30s and size 138 as 20s

 

No problem, ;-)

Being an engineer I really need to get my head into gear to compute anything that isn't just a diameter measurement.  (Not that it would do any damage to once in a while challenge the brain)

Cheers

Jonas