Cathy,
Got your emails and responded. I think I'll post my response here since you said the same thing. Hope you don't mind.
Originally Posted by J Miller from email
Cathy,
I've read all of that from numerous sources and I've not only seen the needle comparison photos, I done it myself. Ed Lamoureux has an article on his blog { http://sewing-machines.blogspot.com/ } about bobbin case damage from 15x1 needles with good clear pictures. I can't find that entry now, the link was in my other HD.
What I know is that on our 319K which has the closed top bobbin case, the DBx1 needles work properly.
I do know they are round shank, but it's easy to orient them manually.
When we first tried them I got several samples from Ed Lamoureux on the SewingForum.com.
He and Cyndy Kitt in Australia were doing experiments on those needles so I got the samples from him.
At first I put the needle in and turned the machine by hand in SS and then in ZZ. It didn't hit the case at all.
Then my wife sewed a number of things including multi layers of denim with good results.
So, at least three of us have found that the DBx1 needles do work in machines that use the 206-13.
I do not undertake substitute needles lightly. I had no desire to damage my wife's baby and incur her wrath!
I also use substitute MY1014 needles in my ancient Minnesota Mdl B because they are much easier to find and less expensive than the Boye 10 or Davis Long it should use.
I use the DCx1F needles in my Kenmore 120-491 because the Kenmore 49 or Boye 2½ are rareium.
When I try substitute needles I take it slowly and make sure the machine I am working on will not have problems with them. I do not assume ( and have never said so ) that all machines will work with substitute needles. I've said this before on QB, Stitchers Guild Sewing Forum, and the old SewForum.com.
Perhaps I should put together a paragraph in great detail and put it on a Word file for the next time. At least then I'd know where it was. LOL.
Joe