Cotillion
Well-Known Member
Sailmakers needles. Aren't they too thick? They look like they're gonna make some big holes in the sail just to reattach the UV protector. Will the sail be ok?
Needles
- Thread starter Cotillion
- Start date
Searush
Well-Known Member
They are specially designed to seperate the warp & weft & pass between the threads rather than cutting thro them. Yes they make a decent hole, but it will just close back up again in use.
sarabande
Well-Known Member
keep some very fine (flour ?) sandpaper handy and give the point a quick polish when you put it away. Even stainless needles (which I don't like because they break) rust, so wrap the needles in Banrust paper or cloth with a bit of Duck oil, prevents them going rusty for when you need them in three years' time 
Cotillion
Well-Known Member
Thanks for your help. I'll attack the task with confidence.
Searush
Well-Known Member
keep some very fine (flour ?) sandpaper handy and give the point a quick polish when you put it away. Even stainless needles (which I don't like because they break) rust, so wrap the needles in Banrust paper or cloth with a bit of Duck oil, prevents them going rusty for when you need them in three years' time
But DON'T SHARPEN them! They need to be a bit blunt to prevent damage to the threads.
sarabande
Well-Known Member
a personal prediliiction, for me, perhaps ? I hold that it does make a difference to keep a very fine point, as it helps find the gap in the fabric. I agree with SR that a chisel point would not be a good idea.
William_H
Well-Known Member
needles
I just use ordinary round sewing needles as large as necessary to take the thread but as small as poss. However they are very susceptible to snapping off as I use pliers to get them in and pull the needle through so be careful. I don't think they cut the fabric at all just push through. olewill
I just use ordinary round sewing needles as large as necessary to take the thread but as small as poss. However they are very susceptible to snapping off as I use pliers to get them in and pull the needle through so be careful. I don't think they cut the fabric at all just push through. olewill
Searush
Well-Known Member
Sewing machines often use ball point needles to prevent damage to certain fabrics. It's not about cutting the threads, but rather about making sure you go between them rather than thro a thread, which could tear it later.
If sanding triangular sailmaker's needles it would be important not to turn the arisses into cutting edges, too.
If sanding triangular sailmaker's needles it would be important not to turn the arisses into cutting edges, too.