Schmetz - frequently asked questions

1. What kind of tips do Schmetz needles come with?

SPI

Very slim, acute tip, for a precise piercing of densely woven (microfibre, silk) and coated (tent, awnings) materials, thin, smooth materials (taffeta), seams for sewing shirts (shirt collars, cuffs, front panels), ensures exact seam appearance, minimal seam puckering.

R

Normal, standard round point with a slim, conical shape, suitable for light woven fabrics, thin coated materials, laminated materials with soft plastic or thin cardboard, for manufacture of furs and leather, foils, leather/textile combinations, knitted fabrics (only small sizes – 60, max. 70).

SES

Light ball point pushes aside weave and mesh threads so as to stitch directly into the gaps between them and avoid fabric damage, especially suitable for jersey, tricot, elastic woven materials, also for fine to medium knitted fabrics, fine and heavy jeans materials, light, densely woven materials, medium to heavy woven fabrics, laminated materials (textile/textile).

SUK

Medium ball point (more rounded than the light ball point SES), best needle for the manufacture of corsetry (especially in thin needle sizes) as well as for stone-washed and sand-washed jeans qualities (especially in thick needle sizes), also suitable for coarse knitted fabrics, medium to coarse jeans materials.

SKF

Extremely rounded point form (heavy ball point) allows coarse, wide mesh loops to be displaced by the needle without piercing the material threads, suitable for very coarse knitted fabrics, fine elastic materials with covered elastomeric threads.

SKL

Very wide, highly rounded point, achieves piercing of woven and knitted fabrics at specific points by means of the greatest possible displacement of the individual threads, the best for sewing lycra, suitable for medium to coarse elastic materials with covered elastomeric threads, coarse knitwear.

STR

Special point for embroidery.

Q

Special square point, useful in sewing silk (closing the tie seam), sewing and closing paper and man-made material sacks.

P

Narrow wedge cutting point with lens shaped cross-section, seam of high strength, suitable for all types of leather.

PCL

Left twist groove below eye, for hooks turning clockwise. The twist gives the thread more room and protects it from being squeezed over the edges of the groove or the eye or against the cutting edge. Especially useful when sewing strong, hard leather.

PCR

Right twist groove below eye for hooks turning anticlockwise. Particularly useful as the left-hand needle on a twin needle lockstitch machine. The twist gives the thread more room and protects it from being squeezed over the edges of the groove or the eye or against the cutting edge. Especially useful when sewing strong, hard leather.

S

Narrow cross cutting point with lens shaped cross-section, the incision in the seam direction, very straight seam line, suitable for all types of leather.

LR (or TW)

Reverse twist point, with lens shaped cross-section, decorative seam inclined slightly towards the left, suitable for all types of leather.

LL (or TW)

Twist cutting point, with lens shaped cross-section, a slightly dawn in, straight seam, suitable for all types of leather.

LLCR

Right twist groove below eye for hooks turning anticlockwise. For post-bed machines, in which the post is located to the left of the needle.

LBR

Wide reverse twist cutting point, with lens shaped cross section, raised decorative seam inclined towards the left, suitable for all types of leather.

DH

Half triangular cutting point, with triangular cross-section, smaller than D but larger than SD1 point, straight seam, for bonded fabrics, e.g. material with firm plastic profile backing, plastic profiles, firm compressed cardboard, awning fabrics, tent fabrics.

DI (or DIA)

Diamond cutting point with rhombic cross-section, a very straight dawn in seam, suitable for heavy, dry, hard leather.

D (or TRI)

Cutting point with triangular cross section, straight seam, for hard, dry leather.

VR

Reverse twist spear cutting point with rhombic cross section, seam inclined slightly towards the left, better cutting performance than the comparable reverse twist point (LR point) due to the four cutting edges, suitable for hard, dry leather.

SD1 (or TRI TIP)

Round point with a very small, triangular cross-section of the tip, straight seam, for fine leather, garments mage from leather and faux leather, thin, synthetic shaft materials, PVC/PUR- coated materials, e.g. awnings, tents, coated table cloths.

2. What does SERV 7 mean?

SERV 7 - special needles with pronounced scarf (hump between eye and scarf) and reinforced blade. The hump scarf extends the loop so that the hook or looper can catch it easily, reducing skip stitches. The reinforced blade gives the needle necessary stability to prevent deflection and damages. Perfect in multidirectional sewing. Particularly valuable for use with thick materials and multiple layers of fabrics, like sewing cross seams in jeans manufacture, also for production of interior upholstery for the car industry as well as for fine materials.

3. What does BLUKOLD mean?

BLUKOLD is aspecial needle with roughened, phosphorated surface and subsequent Teflon coating. Melt residues do not stick to this coating at all or only much later than on chromium- plated needles. The needle remains clean for longer – skipped stitches and thread breakage are avoided. Suitable for materials with a low softening point / melting point: man-made materials, materials with a high man-made fiber content, materials with special finishing.