How to identify used sewing machine needles???????

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02-13-2012, 06:49 AM

#31

runninL8

Senior Member

Join Date: Oct 2010

Location: Kansas

Posts: 453

After reading this thread - I will certainly try one of your suggestions - all good - think the key is to be diligent in your method.

02-13-2012, 06:54 AM

#32

Super Member

Join Date: Mar 2011

Location: Maryland

Posts: 1,773

I use my needles from R to L out of the case. I always put the used needle in the fartherest R hole to know that it's been used. If it's a new case, I turn it around backward so the flat side is showing. Ikeep the case that I used from in a small dish close to me machine so I always know which needle is in my machine. I have lots of different kinds of needles.

02-13-2012, 06:55 AM

#33

auntieb38

Member

Join Date: Jan 2011

Location: Cold Spring, NY

Posts: 10

Quote:

Originally Posted by ewecansew

If you took a marker and coloured the area where the size is and wipe it off, would it make it easier to see the size? I know I can't see the size on needles even with a magnifier and reading glasses on. ( I guess i could get off the computer and see if it works).

Wonderful idea!!! I have the same problem seeing the size of a sewing machine needle. I'm going to try it. Thanks!!!

02-13-2012, 07:02 AM

#34

great aunt jacqui

Super Member

Join Date: Apr 2010

Location: new hampshire

Posts: 1,550

Quote:

Originally Posted by NanaCsews2

I too use the tomato and section off for sizes and uses. I use each 'section' for the use, as in jeans, sharps, embroidery, etc. Then I have drawn 3 horizontal lines to divide the sections into 4 or 5 parts, for the sizes.
I use this guide to tell me what kind of needle it is when I can't see the shank to read it. This is for needles I have used, and I use a plastic case similar to the one above to store the small cases of needles.
http://www.euronotions.com/pdf/Schmetz_Sales_Guide.pdf

thanks for this site. I bookmarked it.

02-13-2012, 07:03 AM

#35

auntieb38

Member

Join Date: Jan 2011

Location: Cold Spring, NY

Posts: 10

Quote:

Originally Posted by SewinSue

If I have used a sewing machine needle for only a short amount of time I stick them into a pin cushion to be used again. I can look at the needle and read the size and brand and in some cases the color of the shaft will identify what kind of needle it is however most needles can't be identifed that way so how can I tell the difference between a universal, ballpoint, metalic, quilting etc.??? In a cleaning frenzy and need to sort and categorize so your help will be greatly appreciated. Thanks, Sue

I don't know of anyway to identify the ballpoint from any other type of needle unless it's on the shaft. I know what you're saying and have never thought about it, I think some of these ideas this board has come up with are great. You could start with some of these ideas to sort them in the future.

02-13-2012, 07:11 AM

#36

amyjo

Super Member

Join Date: Feb 2011

Location: North Dakota

Posts: 2,633

I use whatever I have in machine and when it gets dull it goes into the garbage in a bottle. The only time I do different I stick it back into the little box or pkg it came from to use again. If you have lumped them all together you may be out of luck. Sorry.

02-13-2012, 07:21 AM

#37

institches33

Senior Member

Join Date: Jul 2011

Location: Walton Hills, OH

Posts: 828

I put the needle back in the plastic case it came in, but turn the flat side of the shaft to the outside.

02-13-2012, 08:19 AM

#38

nana2madmax

Junior Member

Join Date: Jul 2011

Location: Steamboat Springs, CO

Posts: 158

Janome needles have a color coded band on them to identify the size. I tried the tomato pincushion, but my helper kitty likes to remove them.......

02-13-2012, 08:58 AM

#39

kaylfordsollimo

Super Member

Join Date: Aug 2011

Posts: 2,065

I don't know how scientific this method is, but I've always been able to "feel" the difference between a ball point tip and a regular needle by gently poking my finger.

02-13-2012, 09:01 AM

#40

JoanneS

Super Member

Join Date: Mar 2008

Location: AZ and CT

Posts: 4,898

I keep my new needles in a lidless recipe box separated with tabs saying what the needles are (embroidery75, embroidery 90, quilting, topstitch etc). When I take a needle out of the box, I clip a clothespin to the tab I took it from. I have several clothespins, each marked with a Sharpie for one of my sewing machines. I only save needles that have been used VERY lightly, and they go on a tomato pincushion marked into sections for the various needles that I use. If you think about it, needles are probably the least expensive thing that you use, and it's simply not worth it to ruin fabric or a machine with a needle that's dull.