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Needle Bar Mod31919

This document provides instructions for modifying a china patcher sewing machine to use larger industrial needles. It describes rounding the bottom of the needle slot to accommodate the round shank of industrial needles. It also notes that the longer 135X16 and 135X17 needles require raising the needle bar slightly. Measurements are provided and care in marking the original needle bar height is advised to allow for proper readjustment.

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eric pacha
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385 views

Needle Bar Mod31919

This document provides instructions for modifying a china patcher sewing machine to use larger industrial needles. It describes rounding the bottom of the needle slot to accommodate the round shank of industrial needles. It also notes that the longer 135X16 and 135X17 needles require raising the needle bar slightly. Measurements are provided and care in marking the original needle bar height is advised to allow for proper readjustment.

Uploaded by

eric pacha
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Here is a modification that can be done to the china patcher bar to

allow the larger 135X17 industrial needles.

Standard Domestic sewing machine needles and thread sizes


Minimum Thread
Needle US/ Size: V
Metric
12/80 33 (T30)
14/90 46 (T45)
16/100/ or 69 (T70)
18/110
19/120 92 (T90)
22/140 138 (T135)

The following are industrial or leather needles and thread sizes only
22/140 138 (T135)
23/160 207 (T210)
25/200 277 (T270)
26/220 346 (T350)
27/250 415 (T400)
30/330 554 (T600)

Note the factory standard needles that are used in the China Patcher are the
same as Domestic home sewing machines with a flat spot on the shank
(15X1). The industrial needles have a round shank. So the slot in the bar
will need to be rounded on the bottom of the needle slot to use them .

Before you start messing with your needle bar mark the bar height
by scoring a small line with a jewelers file just under the upper
needle bar mounting clamp. This is very important for later
adjustments.

Now loosen the needle holding clamp remove needle and clamp. Loosen
upper bar clamp and pull out the needle bar from the sewing head.
I used a few Harbor fright Jewelers files to slightly deepen and round out the
bottom of the slot that holds the needle. I used calipers to measure the
standard needle depth by measuring the needle and needle bar while needle
was in place. I then worked with the industrial (135X17) needle to get a
similar reading. This reading should be around .176 of an inch when
completed. Slowly remove metal from the slot and test the fit and get
readings at both the top and bottom of the needle slot. You will be rounding
out the bottom of the slot as you go.

Once you make this modification you can not go back to standard
Domestic needles, but why would you want to. You can use so many
more needle sizes as for example #12 - #25 just like any other industrial
sewing machine. No more needle size limits for you.

You will need to move the needle bar upward to allow for the longer
industrial needle only if you use 135X16 or 135X17 needles, these needles
are a little over 1/8 inch longer. The actually numbers I encountered are as
follows using my calipers: Standard needle in needle slot measured to
include needle bar is .175“ -.176“. The Industrial needle in standard slot
prior to modifying the slot .189“. The standard Patcher needle length from
the top of the shank to the needle eye is 33.9mm (1.3346“) long this is the
same for length for 134X5 and 135X5 industrial needles. The 135X16
and135X17 industrial needle are 38.9 mm (1.5214”) long from top of shank
to the eye. That is 5mm longer than the standard factory supplied patcher
needle and the 134X5 or 135X5 needles. Note 5 mm is .1968“ or 13/64 of an
inch that is a little over 1/8 of an inch.

So if you use the 135X16 or 135X17 industrial needles you will need to slide
the needle bar upward 5mm or about .197 inches that is a little over 1/8“.
Make sure you mark the original needle bar height prior to doing
this modification with a jewelers file and also mark the new location with a
jewelers file when you are done. Needle bar height adjustments can be
critical to properly sewing a stitch so be very careful here.
Modifications needed to be able to use the larger needles.

You must enlarge the needle plate hole and smooth the edges. You also will
need to refine the needle groove that the needle slides under the sewing arm
needle plate. Enlarge the right side of said groove slightly and make sure it is
at a 90 degree right angle to the top. See the picture at the end of this
documentprovided by Delbert Forpahl from the China Patcher Facebook
page to better understand. He has so much experience and knowledge on
all things related to these China patchers and sewing in general. I thank him
so much for the information and pictures he has provided.
The needle height adjustment: Lets first check to see if the needle
height is pretty close. Place your finger under the sewing arm, you should
feel a small hole. Place your finger there lightly and slowly rotate the hand-
crank, you should just feel the end of the needle. If you do not feel the
needle or it sticks way out and pokes your finger, then a Alignment is in
order.

OK with the needle in its lowest position loosen the needle bar crank screw at
the top of the needle bar and slide the bar downward or upward as needed
and then tighten the screw. This is just a quick needle bar adjustment and
not as good as the advanced adjustment. But sometimes it will get you
sewing good again. Please note that you must also make sure the needle bar
does not rotate clockwise or counter clockwise. The groove in the needle
and needle bar must face to the left.

Advanced needle bar adjustment

Make sure your Bobbin carrier / Shuttle hook is properly aliened and in place
prior to doing this advanced alignment. Rotate the arm cover plate open and
turn hand crank so the needle movement up or down is in dead position.
This dead position is just after the needle travels down then starts back up.
On the hand crank handle it is around the 5:00 position. You will note the
Shuttle hook point will rotating towards the needle.

Note that the flat needle scarf should be centered on the Shuttle hook point.
Adjust needle bar height as needed. Then recheck everything and test if the
needle will draw up the thread from the bobbin.
The following picture was provided by Delbert Forpahl. He has many years
of experience with sewing and lots of china patcher information that he is
providing to us all. He was the first person I know that explained how to do
this needle bar upgrade along with other modifications.

I thank him very much for the use of the picture.

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