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  1. #1
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    My luck with finding a thread injector

    Hey Y'all,

    I have been looking for a thread injector for a while now (before I ordered a WB Traveler) because I've been wanting to make a light-weight tarp or two for camping. Then I remembered that my g-mother had owned a Singer for several years before she passed away. I picked it up from my sis (she doesn't sew anyway) and took it to the shop today to have it inspected/serviced. When the mechanic tried to turn it by hand, it wouldn't turn. So he took the bottom plate off, chunks of gears fell out of it (just my luck ). The mechanic said that it would cost a min of $200 to repair it (replace 4 gears)...OUCH! After telling him what I planned to do, he showed me several used machines and recommended a Singer 9005 that cost a little more than what the servicing would have cost without the gear replacement on the old machine. I took his advice and got the 9005 with a 90 day warranty. After discussing the what/how I was going to make the tarps, hammocks, etc., He recommended denim needles, which I bought a pack of them. I feel like I got a decent deal, at least I hope I did...

    Now, here comes the questions:
    What needles and sizes do I need to sew rip-stop nylon?
    Will the denim needles be sufficient for sewing grosgrain and rip-stop together?
    Does the Gutterman polyester thread come in different sizes and where can I find it? (Speer's is out of stock for now)
    I know I have more questions, but just can't think of any right this second.

    Thanks for any help/info!!

    Eric
    Last edited by ncffp163; 06-29-2010 at 23:53. Reason: Misspelling

  2. #2
    Senior Member kthompson's Avatar
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    #10 sharps will be fine for sil nylon and your grossgrain tie outs. Even 9's would be fine on sil by itself. Do not use ball points Standard weight Gutterman is fine for tarp work. You would use the Gutterman heavy duty for packs and heavy items.

  3. #3
    Senior Member WV's Avatar
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    Two good sources for Guterman's thread (and other things):
    http://www.questoutfitters.com/index.html
    http://www.owfinc.com/

  4. #4
    Senior Member Ramblinrev's Avatar
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    Denim needles are overkill for what you are going to do. They aren't _bad_ just more needle than you need. +1 on no ballpoints. They are used for knits and you ain't using knits. They make a "universal" point that will do the job. If you can find "sharps" use them. If not the universal point will be good.

    I would say you got a good deal. I'm surprised the sewing guy didn't have Guttermann's. Mine does but he's 25 miles away.

    Edit: Don't use "leather" needles... ever... for anything _except_ leather. You might be tempted if you want a big gurly needle for something. But leather needles have cutting edges and will destroy what you are sewing.
    I may be slow... But I sure am gimpy.

    "Bless you child, when you set out to thread a needle don't hold the thread still and fetch the needle up to it; hold the needle still and poke the thread at it; that's the way a woman most always does, but a man always does t'other way."
    Mrs. Loftus to Huck Finn

    We Don't Sew... We Make Gear! video series

    Important thread injector guidelines especially for Newbies

    Bobbin Tension - A Personal Viewpoint

  5. #5
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    Ramblinrev,

    Any certain size needles?

  6. #6
    Senior Member Ramblinrev's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by ncffp163 View Post
    Ramblinrev,

    Any certain size needles?
    Suggestions were made above.
    I may be slow... But I sure am gimpy.

    "Bless you child, when you set out to thread a needle don't hold the thread still and fetch the needle up to it; hold the needle still and poke the thread at it; that's the way a woman most always does, but a man always does t'other way."
    Mrs. Loftus to Huck Finn

    We Don't Sew... We Make Gear! video series

    Important thread injector guidelines especially for Newbies

    Bobbin Tension - A Personal Viewpoint

  7. #7
    New Member
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    Quote Originally Posted by Ramblinrev View Post
    Suggestions were made above.
    Sorry...was looking at needles and they had extra numbers than just #9 or #11. That had me confused. Thanks for all the help!!

  8. #8
    Senior Member Ramblinrev's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by ncffp163 View Post
    Sorry...was looking at needles and they had extra numbers than just #9 or #11. That had me confused. Thanks for all the help!!
    no apology needed. Truth be told I don't really give a rat's behind about needle sizes so it's not something I spend a lot of time on. I'm not saying the size is not important. I'm saying that I don't fixate over it. I don't think I could tell you at any given moment what size needle I have in the machine. I tend to go big and use it til it dulls/breaks and then replace it with what ever I grab from my tool box.

    My general rule is ... if it breaks it was too small. It is not an exact science. At least not for me.

    The extra number is the size in another system. Kind of like inch/metric, but I don't know for sure what the other system is. Frankly I don't care either. But that's what you are looking at
    I may be slow... But I sure am gimpy.

    "Bless you child, when you set out to thread a needle don't hold the thread still and fetch the needle up to it; hold the needle still and poke the thread at it; that's the way a woman most always does, but a man always does t'other way."
    Mrs. Loftus to Huck Finn

    We Don't Sew... We Make Gear! video series

    Important thread injector guidelines especially for Newbies

    Bobbin Tension - A Personal Viewpoint

  9. #9
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    I appreciate all the info!! Just ordered some "sharps" needles from JoAnn's and also got 1094 yds of Gutermann thread for 5.59 (on sale). Now to get the material and some grosgrain.

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