Types of needles

[Cindy]

I have done a quick search and can't find the answer. Hopefully, this hasn't been covered already.

How can you tell the difference between a sharp and a ballpoint? I keep my used needles after replacing them with a different size, etc. in a piece of cut away that is marked the type, i.e. 75/11 BP, 75/11 S, etc. Then I have a dry erase board that lists the needles and what type is in each position. Well, I removed needle 16 and meant to do 15, and had already placed the needle in the middle of the needles on the cutaway and changed the dry erase board. Now, I don't know how to find if the needle is in the right spot or not. I can read the 75/11, 80/12 on the needle, but can't tell if its ballpoint or sharp.

Thanks!
Cindy

[Juli in Kona]

The solution is actually very simple. The size is etched into every needle. Trouble is, if you are as old as I am, you just won't be able to see it! The solution to that is to get one of your grandchildren to read you what it says on each needle! Ah! The Golden Years!

Juli in Kona

PS In lew of grandchildren, use a magnifying glass.

[bwink]

Hi Cindy,
Everytime I open a new package of needles I color code them with a marker. I draw a line across all the needles in the whole package so I know what the needle is by what color stripe is on it. Hope that helps.
bwink

[Ballyhoo]

I also use a permanent marker to mark the sharp needles in a new pack. However, that was not your question. To determine sharp v. ball point, drag the needle across your finger nail with gentle pressure. The sharp will leave a line, the ball point will not (depending on pressure).

David Sklar
Ballyhoo!

[HERB]

My sharps are all titanium, balls are all chrome. Gold = Sharp, Silver = Ball.

[The Embroidery Authority - OLD]

What Herb is saying is that when you purchase your needles, specify Titanium coated needles for the sharps and standard needles for the ball points.
This does not apply for the grab bag of needles that came in the "starter kit" with the purchase of the machine. There are not any Titanium coated needles in that kit.
Ed