Rehairing tool woes

[cleverLC]

My rehairing tool broke, and I'm having the worst time getting the embroidery needles to work out right.  One of the "tines" keeps breaking completely off.  Any tips?  I'm going through an awful lot of needles.

[Colorscapesart]

You could try a sharper cutting tool or more expensive needles.  I had to switch needle brands b/c that kept happening, it is so frustrating!

[rybett]

I second that!  I bought a wire cutter specifically for needle cutting.  It lives in a tush wipe box with the rehair tool, spare needles and a plethora of other pony things and stuff. 

[sd_dreamcrystal]

I second that!  I bought a wire cutter specifically for needle cutting.  It lives in a tush wipe box with the rehair tool, spare needles and a plethora of other pony things and stuff. 

lol a wire cutter specific for needle cutting?

[kezrob23]

yep i have one just for needles too - those needles do tend to blunt wire cutters!!

it may also be the needles are too small - i use a size 22 tapestry needle, and i hold the eye bit whilst cutting, and i cut on an angle so one tine is longer than the other.

[gotbunny]

I use my dremel with a stone bit to make my needles. Works really good.

[cleverLC]

yep i have one just for needles too - those needles do tend to blunt wire cutters!!

it may also be the needles are too small - i use a size 22 tapestry needle, and i hold the eye bit whilst cutting, and i cut on an angle so one tine is longer than the other.

Tapestry needles?  Wouldn't that make the plug holes too big?

[sd_dreamcrystal]

yep i have one just for needles too - those needles do tend to blunt wire cutters!!

it may also be the needles are too small - i use a size 22 tapestry needle, and i hold the eye bit whilst cutting, and i cut on an angle so one tine is longer than the other.

Tapestry needles?  Wouldn't that make the plug holes too big?

typically you'd use a tack or another needle to widen the holes before sticking the rehair tool in. Don't worry the plastic shrinks back

[kezrob23]

It's pretty much the same as an embroidery needle, but blunt ended

[rybett]

Hmm, I just nip the tip off at the same time as snipping the eye.  Tapestry is sturdier?

[kezrob23]

Yeah I reckon they are. I started of with pointy end needles, but 2 out of 3 would break on cutting. Tapestry/cross stitch needles I think are stronger cause they have to carry heavier threads through thicker fabrics.

[BarbedDragon]

Yep, and sharpening them helps a lot. The needles I sell are cut at an angle and sharpened by milling them. Keeping them cool keeps the needle stronger. If the needle gets too hot it will become brittle. I use only cobalt wire cutters for cutting the angles---this is the only wire clips I have found that do not dent from cutting the needle. I do also sharpen the cutters to make sure it's cutting and not crushing.

And just to add, enlarging your hole helps SO much if you are using largish plugs. Sometimes when you use big plugs it can put strain on the needle. If this is the case, switch up a size or two on your needles---or try small tapestry. It's hard to say since I'm not sure what size you are using.

Post Merge: September 22, 2013, 05:44:03 PM

Yep, and sharpening them helps a lot. The needles I sell are cut at an angle and sharpened by milling them. Keeping them cool keeps the needle stronger. If the needle gets too hot it will become brittle. I use only cobalt wire cutters for cutting the angles---this is the only wire clips I have found that do not dent from cutting the needle. I to also sharpen the cutters to make sure it's cutting and not crushing.

And just to add, enlarging your hole helps SO much if you are using largish plugs. Sometimes when you use big plugs it can put strain on the needle. If this is the case, switch up a size or two on your needles---or try small tapestry. It's hard to say since I'm not sure what size you are using.