Results 1 to 6 of 6
  1. #1
    New Member
    Join Date
    Aug 2012
    Location
    Duluth, MN
    Posts
    6

    Needle/thread size for stressed Sil/nylon seams

    Howdy makers and tinkerers.

    I need a bit of advice for a tent project. I'd like to make a high tension hoop tent for ice fishing, but I can't quite get the thread/needle combo to work. This is a 3 pole hoop with conical ends. The floor is 10' x 14'. Peak height is 5'.

    I've worked with tents and tent fabrics for 20 years now, but Sil-nylon has me a bit baffled. The whole thing works great in coated ripstop, but I want more. I've been using our needle feed machines with teflon feet, and monitoring the fabric feed carefully. My issue is the stitching itself. I can piece the panels well enough to let the fabric expand w/o stress along the test panels where the poles would lie in the structure. When I use B69 nylon, the thread breaks after repeated use. When I drop to B46, it saws through the fabric after some time. I've tried size 18 and 20 ball point needles thus far. Should I add something to relieve stress at the seams? Any suggestions are welcome.

  2. #2
    Senior Member Boston's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2012
    Location
    Georgetown, KY
    Hammock
    DIY w/ Net
    Tarp
    DIY 11'x10' Hex
    Insulation
    DIY UQ/TQ
    Suspension
    DIY Whoppies + TS
    Posts
    1,760
    Images
    44
    Use sharp needles, and size them to your thread.

    I use a size 80/11 needle with Gutermann Tera 80 Tex 35 thread.

  3. #3
    New Member
    Join Date
    Aug 2012
    Location
    Duluth, MN
    Posts
    6
    That did it! I tested two sleeve/seams last night. Sharp needles, all these years I've marched to the drum beat of 'ball point for nylon'.

    Many thanks.

    Kevin

  4. #4
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Jan 2011
    Location
    IN
    Hammock
    WBRR, Lots of DIY
    Tarp
    MacCat; Cloudburst
    Insulation
    Lynx, HG T/UQ, AHE
    Suspension
    Varies
    Posts
    8,464
    Ball point needles are for stretchy knit fabrics.

  5. #5
    Senior Member turnerminator's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2009
    Location
    Peterborough,UK
    Hammock
    DIY Pertex
    Tarp
    DIY with doors on
    Insulation
    Down and synthetic
    Suspension
    Whoopies & hooks
    Posts
    1,252
    There is a nice easy test for ensuring the needle is sharp enough. If the point will dig into your fingernail easily without slipping at all, it's sharp enough.

  6. #6
    New Member
    Join Date
    Aug 2012
    Location
    Duluth, MN
    Posts
    6
    Thanks all.

  • + New Posts
  • Similar Threads

    1. Replies: 17
      Last Post: 08-08-2014, 18:32
    2. Saf-T-Lok for Cuben, Tyvek and nylon seams!!
      By Gsx-rboy750 in forum Do-It-Yourself (DIY)
      Replies: 5
      Last Post: 06-27-2014, 06:06
    3. Needle size
      By nu2hike in forum Do-It-Yourself (DIY)
      Replies: 6
      Last Post: 10-06-2012, 16:29
    4. Needle Gummed After Sewing Coated Nylon
      By AD6GT in forum Do-It-Yourself (DIY)
      Replies: 2
      Last Post: 01-01-2012, 12:33
    5. Needle size?
      By ciphoto in forum Do-It-Yourself (DIY)
      Replies: 8
      Last Post: 11-26-2011, 11:21

    Bookmarks

    Posting Permissions

    • You may not post new threads
    • You may not post replies
    • You may not post attachments
    • You may not edit your posts
    •