steel wool as a needle sharpener
05-10-2011, 11:15 AM
#51
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Originally Posted by jaciqltznok
someone posted a Tute on here about making a needle sharpener for you machine needles. .....
SO, instead of risking damage to your machine, you can do what I have been doing for 40 years....take the lid from an old spray can...then put in a clean/new SOS pad..cover with a piece of fabric all tucked into the cap...now you can take your pins and needles and stab the into the SOS pad..this keeps them clean and sharp the way the old strawberry emerys do.(though they don't have as much emery in them any more more ruby & diamond dust now)
SO, instead of risking damage to your machine, you can do what I have been doing for 40 years....take the lid from an old spray can...then put in a clean/new SOS pad..cover with a piece of fabric all tucked into the cap...now you can take your pins and needles and stab the into the SOS pad..this keeps them clean and sharp the way the old strawberry emerys do.(though they don't have as much emery in them any more more ruby & diamond dust now)
05-10-2011, 11:17 AM
#52
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Originally Posted by Rina
Originally Posted by jaciqltznok
someone posted a Tute on here about making a needle sharpener for you machine needles. .....
SO, instead of risking damage to your machine, you can do what I have been doing for 40 years....take the lid from an old spray can...then put in a clean/new SOS pad..cover with a piece of fabric all tucked into the cap...now you can take your pins and needles and stab the into the SOS pad..this keeps them clean and sharp the way the old strawberry emerys do.(though they don't have as much emery in them any more more ruby & diamond dust now)
SO, instead of risking damage to your machine, you can do what I have been doing for 40 years....take the lid from an old spray can...then put in a clean/new SOS pad..cover with a piece of fabric all tucked into the cap...now you can take your pins and needles and stab the into the SOS pad..this keeps them clean and sharp the way the old strawberry emerys do.(though they don't have as much emery in them any more more ruby & diamond dust now)
05-10-2011, 11:51 AM
#53
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Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Montana
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I needle sharpener I am referring to is made of hard plastic and the one I have is pink in color. It is about 5" long and has a cone shape tip on it with A tiny hole to insert the the needle. There is a wheel down about 1" from the tip that you turn to sharpen the needle. I hope I have described this well enough so you get some idea how it looks and works.
05-10-2011, 12:29 PM
#54
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Location: USA
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I agree, My husband did repairs on sewing machines for years and he suggested I use it in something else and not sew through it as well. Thanks for letting everyonel know, as I was going to do it last night and forgot.
05-10-2011, 02:33 PM
#55
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Location: Western North Carolina
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I agree about particles from steel wool probably falling into the machine and causing major difficulties with expensive machines. I never even considered doing it when I read the suggestion.
However, if I recall correctly, the person who made the suggestion was from Brazil. I'm sure many products we take for granted in the USA are unavailable there. My guess is she was trying to find the most sensible help with extending the life of her needles with what she has available there.
M.Elizabeth
However, if I recall correctly, the person who made the suggestion was from Brazil. I'm sure many products we take for granted in the USA are unavailable there. My guess is she was trying to find the most sensible help with extending the life of her needles with what she has available there.
M.Elizabeth
05-10-2011, 04:14 PM
#58
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Originally Posted by quilter53
Are you saying not to use steel wool at all or just the one you run thru the machine. What about the steel wool encased in fabric that you only stick your needles in to sharpen away from your machine?
05-10-2011, 04:42 PM
#59
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Location: ok
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just do not run it through the machine..you can still make the steel wool pillow if you like, but take your needle out of the machine and just stab or pass it through the steel wool..[/quote]
Ok, that's what I thought. I have already made one. Works great. I have been having to change dull needles a lot while FMQing. Hoping this will help.
Ok, that's what I thought. I have already made one. Works great. I have been having to change dull needles a lot while FMQing. Hoping this will help.
05-10-2011, 04:47 PM
#60
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Originally Posted by quilter53
just do not run it through the machine..you can still make the steel wool pillow if you like, but take your needle out of the machine and just stab or pass it through the steel wool..
with FMQ I find that I do better with a very find Microtex needle instead of the normal piecing needle...what do you use? I know every machine is different in what it likes/does not like. Goes with needles and threads....
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