Needle position
11-20-2023, 06:52 AM
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2010
Location: SW, MI
Posts: 827
Needle position
I have several machines and the flat side of the needle goes toward the back. I have a machine I just picked up without a manual - I'm changing the needle. Are there different positions for different machines?
11-20-2023, 07:06 AM
#2
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Western Washington
Posts: 953
Yes, my Pfaffs flat side goes to the back but on my Juki the flat side goes to the right. You can Google your machine make and model and search for manual. I found one for my 1955 Bentwood Singer sometimes they are free.
11-20-2023, 07:15 AM
#3
Super Member
Join Date: Aug 2018
Location: Greater Peoria, IL -- just moved!
Posts: 6,141
As Three Dog Night suggested, I would look for a manual. There are differences, and especially I think between drop down bobbins as opposed to the side loaders, but also as proprietary differences just because...
I think all the machines I've come across have a curved and a flat side in the needle holder. Might be hard to look (maybe a little mirror?) but I can feel the needle slip into the space correctly, especially as you tighten it down.
If the machine is new enough to have a threading assist or automatic threader, that can give an additional clue.
I think all the machines I've come across have a curved and a flat side in the needle holder. Might be hard to look (maybe a little mirror?) but I can feel the needle slip into the space correctly, especially as you tighten it down.
If the machine is new enough to have a threading assist or automatic threader, that can give an additional clue.
11-20-2023, 09:39 AM
#5
Power Poster
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Lake Elsinore, CA
Posts: 15,223
In my machines that use a flat-sided needle, it would be close to impossible to insert the needle the wrong way. And if somehow it happened, the machine wouldn't be able to sew. So rather than search for a manual, I would just experiment until I got it right.
11-20-2023, 04:47 PM
#6
Super Member
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Houston, TX
Posts: 9,663
I agree. I tried to put the needle in the wrong way on my Juki and it wouldn't fit. Duh. Turned it around and it slipped right in.
11-21-2023, 05:38 PM
#9
Super Member
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Denver, CO
Posts: 4,317
I am not familiar with modern machines, but I think that most needle screws are on the right side. I have printed out some diagrams for which direction the flat goes, but forgot about it when I went to insert the needle on my Singer 15-30. I used a mirror. Actually, it was a good thing as I didn't have the 15-30 listed and other 15 models the flat goes the other direction. Sometimes you can tell by where the last thread guide is located. Looking again at this site, you may be able to tell by where the slot for the needle is located above the needle clamp as indicated on http://www.sew2go.com/needleset.htm Granted those are for Singer sewing machines, but maybe it would be the same for your machine. By the way, what is the machine????
11-21-2023, 05:51 PM
#10
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2013
Posts: 983
Yes - it depends on the machine. Without knowing what this machine is, there's no way for someone to suggest how the needle should be oriented.
