Antique Needle Sorting and ID
 

Hi,

Recently noticed a bunch of antique needles for sale online and purchased. First picture is before sorting and second of sorted by size and shank type (flat or round):

Top left--Wheeler & Wilson 5 (size 16) 127x1 for 9, D9 flat shank
Top middle---New Home with greyhound stamped on needle 20x1 flat shank
Top right----Marked merrow

Middle left---Simanco 1.6 mm round shank x 39 mm length (industrial? )
Middle center--Simanco 2 mm round shank x 42 mm length (industrial measures size 23)
Middle right --15x1 standard Singer

Bottom left---Mostly fine hand sewing needles
Bottom right---Domestic NT (notched top) marked Boye 60-80 (size 14) and Domestic various sizes 125 needles.

Now to find a Domestic using the notched needle. The 127x1 needles will be put to use in my Singer 9W7.

Jon

Wow, you really know your needles! What a great assortment. Good that you have the knowledge to sort all of them. Wish I did!

Fortunately the shanks more often than not have the maker and the needle size. Needle size and application can be found in the old sewing supply catalogs: (page 24-30)

30-40 cotton---size 18
40-60----------------16
60-80----------------14
80-100---------------11

http://www.sil.si.edu/DigitalCollect...0773/index.htm


Jon

Finding a Domestic shouldn't be a problem - it just has to be a "Pre White" Domestic. They did make a few branded machines, but they look exactly the same.

Somehow I've ended up with a plethora of Domestic attachments - and I see them for sale quite often.


I've been looking for one that will take the chain stitch adapter - it has a hole in the shuttle carrier.

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...ps241afb48.jpg

Thanks for sharing your knowledge on these Jon and Cathy. That link is great, I get overwhelmed at trying to figure out what is on SIL site. I'm thinking of adding a Domestic fiddle base sometime in the near future.

Yes, thanks Jon for that link. I will be reading through that for some time.

Cathy, a hole in the shuttle carrier? and no shuttle obviously, Is there some sort of attachment also, or is it just as simple as putting a hole in a shuttle carrier? Do you have an image? Maybe this would help me figure out if I can convert a Little Midget to a chain stitcher.

It's just a tiny hole, and a pin from the adapter fits into it.

I do believe I could modify a carrier - but I'd sure like to eyeball one first. I do have one for the newer style adapter (just the carrier, not the whole machine) but that one clips in a bit differently.

This is from the manual. My machine is actually a bit older than those that came with the looper - but from what I've researched, it should work.

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...psd178699f.jpg


Here is the shuttle holder I bought that came of the "newest" Domestic that did the chainstitch.

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...psbc387c52.jpg

And the looper I have, which is the older style so it does not quite fit into the holder.

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...ps35dd6a0e.jpg

However I also have a "parts" Domestic machine, as it was cheaper to by the whole machine than to get a slide plate that mine was missing when I bought it.

I think I would just break down and cry if i had to try to sort those needles. My eyes (and patience) aren't what they used to be.
Rodney

Reading glasses are a must. The sewing machine needles are sort of new to me and I find the learning very interesting. I only spent about 1/2 hour sorting and found it sort of relaxing rather than as a chore. I have a funky Bausch and Lomb "microscope" (made in USA!) which I picked up at a yard sale years ago that reads the markings on the needle shanks nicely. So I almost feel like a mad scientist.

Jon