Greg wrote: > Threading the needle shank and having it screw into the needle bar is an > option. I hadn't considered that before, but it would pretty well solve the > extra mass problem. But it would make the needles pretty involved to > manufacture. I'll keep it in mind.
Yes, it would be involved if all the needles are threaded by hand or in small numbers, especially at the diameter being considered. It is intriguing to consider using a very fine threaded rod, if even manufactured in the desired material(s). One would have to grind and polish to create the tip geometry. Which brings up the idea that if a needle is to be especially manufactured, one could consider tipping it with a different material that can be specially shaped (such as spherical or elliptical with no sharp edges at all. It is my understanding that most damage to grooves is due to a tip which is no longer smooth. Maybe the tip could be made from a material of the same hardness as the "grit" used in shellac discs (is it corundum?) to wear down the needle. Just thinking outside the box... Jon
