Question about Vintage Needles
#11
Super Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Outer Space
Posts: 9,319
Candace,
I found the needle I have that's marked 1/2. It's in a Susan Bates needle tube for 40-60 thread.
I compared it to a new Schmetz Universal size 14 and the comparison is exactly like your pics.
1/2 has a grove on the rounded side of the shank all the way up to the round part.
Schmetz grove stops at the beginning of the taper.
1/2 has a grove on the scarf side
Schmetz has a scarf on that side
Overall length is the same
The eye on the 1/2 needle is a bit lower ( closer to the point ) than the Schmetz.
For my machines, not enough difference to cause a problem. But could the tapered top of the Schmetz allow it to seat deeper into the needle bar? If so that could exacerbate the difference in the eye location and that could cause a skipped stitch.
Joe
I found the needle I have that's marked 1/2. It's in a Susan Bates needle tube for 40-60 thread.
I compared it to a new Schmetz Universal size 14 and the comparison is exactly like your pics.
1/2 has a grove on the rounded side of the shank all the way up to the round part.
Schmetz grove stops at the beginning of the taper.
1/2 has a grove on the scarf side
Schmetz has a scarf on that side
Overall length is the same
The eye on the 1/2 needle is a bit lower ( closer to the point ) than the Schmetz.
For my machines, not enough difference to cause a problem. But could the tapered top of the Schmetz allow it to seat deeper into the needle bar? If so that could exacerbate the difference in the eye location and that could cause a skipped stitch.
Joe
#12
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Illinois...near St. Louis
Posts: 392
1/2 is the needle size....not the needle system. The older sizing system when needle sizes were 1/2, 1, 2, 3, 4, & 5....instead of 9, 11, 14, 16 etc. I've got 1/2's for several machines...different needle systems.
#13
I thought she was saying the opposite: Don't use an old needle in a new machine but new needles are OK for old machines.
Last edited by manicmike; 01-26-2014 at 03:07 AM.
#14
Super Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Outer Space
Posts: 9,319
Umm, I think she said that a newer needle with scarf can cause skipped stitches in some vintage machines. So, I need old, non scarf needles with this machine. I have a SS machine, so the scarf is creating too much space and skipped stitches. I've not had a problem with other vintage machines but this Bell has an interesting drop in bobbin assembly and it's one of those that does not like new needles.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
TeeGee
For Vintage & Antique Machine Enthusiasts
23
05-21-2012 09:03 AM