Monroe,
Needle sizing can be very confusing. The Ismacs chart shows several lengths for the 20x1. The most important
length is the top of the shank to the top of the eye. This is the timing length and it is the same on all those
20x1 needles listed. The other length is the total length top to tip. The timing length determines where the thread
loop is as the hook picks it up. When a 15x1 is short seated it works as a 20x1 because the timing lengths are
now the same.
The total length of the 20x1 is only important on rotary hook machines. The difference being the length of the tip.
On a rotary machine a 20x1 with a tip that is too long will hit the bobbincase. A VS machine can usually take any
length tip.
Hope this is clearer than mud,
Cathy
Originally Posted by
Monroe
Now I'm confused. The chart shows the 20 x 1 is equivalent to a needle length of 42.5 to 45.1 mm. I'm sure the length is critical for the old machines. Guess I'll need to check each machine individually. I was hoping it would be easy.