Does anyone but me have a LAQM that does not like the rounded needlepoints. I just ordered new needles and accidently got the rounded tips instead of the sharp points. Everything else about the needles was exactly the same. OMG what a mess of skipped stitches. The rounded tips are a lot easier to find so that must be what most LAQ ers use. So what could my problem be? and what is your experience with the two types of needles?

I only use sharp needles...they go through the threads, where the rounded needles will go between the threads, You won't get a true straight line of stitching with the rounded needles.

Try them on knits.

I thought rounded tips were for knits so you wouldn't break the threads. Think the sharps are hard to fi d because everyone uses them.

i only use the sharp ones

You bought needles for using with knits by mistake. Take them back to the store and ask if you could exchange them for what you need.

Carol J.

Only use sharps on the LA.

the ball point needles are for knits---they go inbetween the threads in knits---so if you are going to work with fleece or any other knits they will work great for you---but no- they don't work so well with regular cottons-
can you return / exchange them? if not then just sit them aside and save them for projects with knit fabrics (like fleece, minkee, other knits.

I am glad to know I can use these needles on fleece. I have some fleece throws to quilt now. These needles were ordered from Columbia River because they were the ones they recommended for my TL and C R made no mention of the rounded tip. Once I realized the problem and started inquiring at other sites the same exact needles were recommended instead of GR (pointed ones). At least the next time I need needles I have a better understanding of exactly what I do need. Columbia River gives great service and I am glad that I now understand the codes on the needle case and know what MY machine needs. The education was worth the frustration.

Are they also called ball point?

Yes,
Connie, they are called ball point and usually are named that on the package. All needles are not the same. They work great with knit fabric.

Carol J.

I am only familiar with the Groz Beckert LA needles but they do not refer to their needles as ball point. They describe them as rounded. That info. is on the package but is coded along with everything else you need to know. It is all there but you have to know how to read the codes.

I don't have an LA and wonder why they use a needle that is not sharp. Rounded needles certainly would not pierce the quilt as easily as a sharp needle. Ball point needles have their duty to perform on knits but would not work well on cottons with a batting between them. Do you know anymore about the rounded needles that you can tell us?
I will look at the display of needles more closely now and see if they are available and ask around if anyone else has heard of them. Learn something new every day.

Carol J.

LAQM needles
 

That is exactly my question, Carol. Why are so many rounded tip needles available and so few sharp tips? Why aren't the sharps available with titahium coating? They were available until a few years ago and then they just stopped making them. I don't buy the idea that they are being manufactured and then all bought up. When I bought my LAQM 100 needled came with it and they are rounded tips. When I finally had to replenish my supply I ordered from 2 different companys what these companys stated was recommended for my machine and both sent me rounded tip needles. . I just can't figure out the problem. I do know that my skipped stitched have absolutely stopped since I have been using sharps