Needle and Thread Guide

Commonly used in rated products like logging, mining, and military nylon webbing and strapping.

Commonly used for mule and other heavy duty tack.  Also used in boot and shoe applications.

Is the most commonly used thread size in leather crafting from saddle and tack, boot and shoe, gun and knife, and all other kinds of craft and industrial applications.

A favorite size thread for saddle bags, purses, and other thin material crafting.

Used mostly in belts, billfolds, purses and other thin material crafting.

Is seldom used in leather applications unless the stitch is not to be a major part of the final design.  This combination is more commonly used in fabric, vinyl, and other thin material applications.

Note: Your bobin thread tension will require readjustment when using smaller thread diameters, such as 69 or 99, in the bobbin.

There are two different styles of needles used in the Tippmann Boss.

The Round Point needles are "universal" needles, and work well in just about any material, including rubber, vinyl, cloth, leather, etc.

The Chisel Point needles are used specifically for leather. Instead of punching a hole in the material like a round point, it "slices" through the leather. This can prevent bottom side "blowout" on dry and hard leathers. Chisel point needles are not recommended for woven fabrics such as nylon halters because it slices the strands of nylon. If your style of sewing requires a short stitch length (10 per inch or more), you should not use a chisel point needle because the material can tear from hole to hole. The Round Point is better for this application.

When ordering needles from Tippmann, a 7x3 is a Round Point, and a 794 is a chisel point needle.

Note: Change your needle to a round point needle when stitching fabrics other than leather.

If you do not have your needle package, or if the kit provided with the Boss is open or has spilled, you may not know what type and size of needle you have. In order to identify your needle, you will need a magnifying glass or microscope. You will find a small inscription on the side (shaft) of the needle (e.g. 230 / 26), as shown in the illustration below. The first three numbers represent the size you need when ordering and the last two numbers represent the size in metric.

Now that you know the size, you need to determine whether it is a round point needle or a chisel point. A Round Point needle has a sharp point and the cross section of the needle is round. A chisel point needle does not have a sharp point and the cross section of the needle is not round, but arched.

Round Point Needle (7x3)	Chisel Point Needle (794)