Changing needles?? Schedule??
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2011
Posts: 965
Changing needles?? Schedule??
It occured to me that the only time that I change my needle other than when it breaks, is when the machine starts to make a clunking sound. Is it hard on the machine to not change it regularly after a certain amount of hours of sewing? Do all of you change your needles on a regular basis?
#2
I try to stick with the recommended 8 hours of machine use between changes, but it's probably more than that. That would be a great add-on for machines...a timer that automatically clocks machine running time and buzzes at 8 hours while flashing a message on the display screen. A lot of quilters change needles at the beginning of each project, at the same time they clean out all the bobbin lint.
#3
It's been suggested that you change the needle every time you start a new project. So, if you call a queen/King size quilt a project, you could probably do 2 smaller quilts before changing the needle. I don't always change my needle this often, but I did have a lot of needles breaking when I was using the Flynn frame ( I think it was loaded improperly)
#6
I'm the one who doesn't seem to ever remember to change my needle... i used the original one in my most recent purchase for 22 quilt projects. i didn't have any issues - no barbs, no snags, no 'large' holes, nothing - didn't even 'think' about it until I was reading the owner's manual trying to find the correct foot for something!
#8
Super Member
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Alturas, CA
Posts: 9,393
I don't change my needle unless it breaks, which is very seldom and that's usually due to the fact that I moved the needle and changed the needle plate and forgot to move it back, or I need a different size due to the fabric, but I will reuse the needle. I've never had any problems with clunking, snagging, etc.
#9
Super Member
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: howell, Mi
Posts: 2,345
I don't change my needle very often. I've never had a problem and I seldom break a needle. Sometimes I think about changing the needle, but forget by the next time I use the machine. Short attention span I guess. lol
Sue
Sue
#10
Until I got my current machine, I almost never changed my needle. When I bought this machine, 13 years ago, I was told to change my needle every 8 hours. I change my needle with each new project. Like Ghostrider, I think an 8 hour timer on the machine would be a great idea. I do use lots of different needles for different kinds of sewing.
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