Differences in sewing machine needle brands -
#11
Super Member
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Utah
Posts: 2,074
The standard needle configuration from Schmetz and Bernina is 130 705H. This tells you that the distance from the top of the needle to the top of the eye is the same. Singer's number HAx 1, is the same configuration. Then Superior and Organ have a different number for the same length (but I don't know what that is). Top stitch needles, with the longer eye, should still be the same length from the top of the needle to the top of the eye. One timing setting is that the hook should pass at the top of the eye as the needle is on the way up.
Industrial needles and longarm needles usually have a round top, instead of the flat on the back side. And the configuration, or length from top of needle to top of eye will be longer or shorter to accommodate that particular machines timing setting.
Industrial needles and longarm needles usually have a round top, instead of the flat on the back side. And the configuration, or length from top of needle to top of eye will be longer or shorter to accommodate that particular machines timing setting.
#12
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Join Date: Dec 2012
Posts: 1,857
I think with today's machines, the brand name is not that important. The type of needle is what makes the difference. First there is the size, the material it is made of and what is says to use it for. But, as far as the brand name - if it is on sale - it is the right one to use!
#13
I always used Schmetz or Klase brand needles until I decided to try Janome needles in my Janome machine. I do notice a difference in it took care of any skipped stitches especially when pivoting at points or going through thicker areas. It must be that they are a smidgen longer so they pick up the bobbin thread better. I've used both the purple tip and red tip ones with good results.
#14
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Location: North Central, NC
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I did not know there was such a thing like this out there. Thanks for posting that information. Wonder if they work better going through fused applique pieces also?
#15
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Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Victorian Sweatshop Forum
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I always used Schmetz or Klase brand needles until I decided to try Janome needles in my Janome machine. I do notice a difference in it took care of any skipped stitches especially when pivoting at points or going through thicker areas. It must be that they are a smidgen longer so they pick up the bobbin thread better. I've used both the purple tip and red tip ones with good results.
Cari
#16
technically -the SYSTEM denotes what machine it fits, the Style is what type of tip the needle has, and the size is how big in diameter the needle has. One item not address is the type of metal and process the needle goes through to harden it. Some processes make metal more brittle, some make it more flexible. And different mixtures of metal (alloys) can react very differently. And now some companies are putting different coatings on the needle after manufacture.
Then there is quality control- some companies have higher tolerances than others, so if the needle is suppose to be .05268 diameter (number pulled off the ceiling) but one company says +-.005 is close enough and another says .0005 is close enough . . .
So there is a lot more going into selection of needle other than System, Style and Size
I have over 150 machines with probable over 15 systems. Now days the vast majority of domestic machines use the same system that Singer started using in the late 1800's (and at the time, they were one of the few US companies using that one).
I have no idea who is actually making the needles that have the Singer brand name on them. I don't know if SVP owns any needle production factories. Sometimes you find many "brands" are made at the same place, but they have different specifications so being made at the same place in no way means they are similar in quality.
Then there is quality control- some companies have higher tolerances than others, so if the needle is suppose to be .05268 diameter (number pulled off the ceiling) but one company says +-.005 is close enough and another says .0005 is close enough . . .
So there is a lot more going into selection of needle other than System, Style and Size
I have over 150 machines with probable over 15 systems. Now days the vast majority of domestic machines use the same system that Singer started using in the late 1800's (and at the time, they were one of the few US companies using that one).
I have no idea who is actually making the needles that have the Singer brand name on them. I don't know if SVP owns any needle production factories. Sometimes you find many "brands" are made at the same place, but they have different specifications so being made at the same place in no way means they are similar in quality.
#19
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Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Victorian Sweatshop Forum
Posts: 4,096
https://www.superiorthreads.com/educ...le-infographic - for Superior needles.
I forget where I found out about the Janome needles.
Cari
I forget where I found out about the Janome needles.
Cari
#20
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: The Woodlands, Texas
Posts: 621
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