They make a synthetic thread in various colors. It's almost unbreakable....at least compared to regular thread. I'd use that.

Any fabric store will know what you want if you ask for it.

 

a synthetic thread? i gotta go to a sewing store now? ugh

 

Not if you have some genuine 550 parachute cord laying around. My main source of heavy sewing thread is the inner strands. Type 3 has seven threads, older type 2 with the black stripes on the outer sleeve has four strands, later type 2 has five strands. Each is about 50 lbs or so breaking strength when new. You don't have to cut up the cord, either. Just grab one strand and pull it out if the whole cord is frayed (not melted) on both ends and not much more than eight feet or so. The original cord will look and work for general use as well as before. I like to run the thread through a ball of beeswax (NOT parrafin wax!) to make it easier to work and so knots will hold tighter. Tip; If you don't already have one and you do a lot of heavy sewing, do yourself a favor and buy a sewing awl, also known as a "Handy Stitch". It's a wood handled sewing needle with a supply of thread on a spool in or on the handle and make an interlocking stitch like a sewing machine. They make sewing leather and heavy webbing SO much easier. You can find them at leathercraft stores or on Fleabay.

 

You can use any thread really...unless this gear is going to get wet a TON then its not really a big deal. What exactly are you doing btw?

 

More important than the thread is the type of stitch you are going to use. That will change depending on where and how you are going to sew the webbing. But nylon thread works well.

 

Tandy has artifical sinue black or tan, very heavy duty. A lot of times I use a double strand of dental floss through the eye. That makes 4 ply sewing, comes in red, green or white. If you are going to use thread lock then sew with un waxed. +1 for using the correct stich.

 

use tapestry thread its alot thicker and stronger than reg thread every sow shop will have it

its about the heaviest duty thread you can easily find

 

They might call it "carpet and button thread".

 

good info guys - i planned to primarily sew webbing strap for hanging a hammock - instead of doing a fig8 knot and slipping the running end through I thought Id sew a loop instead.

also might try sewing straps for various tie-down applications - what particular stitch should I use? that bar-tack from above?


thanks for the info

 

You really want to use a sewing machine

 

You can also use the braided 50lb test fishing line. That stuff is tough as nails and won't get brittle like the mono-filament stuff

 

20 pound test fishing line might work.

 

Seems like the type of thread has been covered. If your using a machine with a thread size that's larger than your used to, check out http://www.gwsms.com/didyouknow.htm. Maybe you machine using folks already know that stuff- me, sewing straps and webbing, I needed all the help I could get.

 

looking to do this by hand - wonder if paracord guts will be strong enough to hold the webbing - gonna give it a go this weekend - thanks for all the info!

 

Spyderwire works great. It is a braided fishing line you can find at almost any sporting goods store and Walmart.

I took it on every deployment and have used it as thread to stitch pretty much everything, from name tags to repairing my assault bag. Something in the 30-50lb works great. You really can't snap the 50lb test line by hand, your fingers will bleed before it breaks. It is about the size of heavy thread but you can get it in various weights. It is strong as hell. I highly recommend it.

 

Spyderwire works great. It is a braided fishing line you can find at almost any sporting goods store and Walmart.

Something in the 30-50lb works great. You really can't snap the 50lb test line by hand, your fingers will bleed before it breaks. It is about the size of heavy thread but you can get it in various weights. It is strong as hell. I highly recommend it.

I bought some this morning. It works as advertised. I know what I'm using to sew my next holster.

 

size 46 thread

I use the V46 polyester thread and a #14 needle on an older standard sewing machine for two thicknesses of webbing and some synthetic fabric. Sometimes I have to manually turn the sewing machine wheel to get it started, but it works. I like the x630 webbing. The V69 thread is too heavy for my machine and I get messed up tension. I don't bar stitch or lock stitch because my machine is messed up. Good Luck!



http://www.seattlefabrics.com/webbing.html#X630_Nylon_Webbing
http://www.seattlefabrics.com/products.html
http://www.seattlefabrics.com/thread.html

 

I was looking in stuff today and came across some webbing projects from the distant past. If you are sewing chalanged you can always use an adhesive between the web layers, two large area washer with stainless pop rivits. It also pays to hot rod the hole for the rivits. Copper pennies drilled out for the rivet are just right for 1/2 strap. Very strong and fast though somewhat ugly.

 

Geeze, this is why I like this site!
So much information and experience.
I might also suggest a visit to a local awning or tent manufacturer.

 

I use upholstery thread. It's synthetic so it won't rot. It's only slightly bigger than regular thread so it's easy to use and works with most needles. It's also cheap and comes in several colors including black and green. And it's stupid strong.

Az

 

glover needles or sail needles?

 

It might be a gimick, but I was trying to spend a few bucks extra on a order to CountryComm. They sell kevlar thread pretty cheap. Anyway I got three spools of the stuff and I use it all the time. It's not magic, you can't hang from the ceiling with it or pull a car but it seems pretty stong, and its the same thickness as regular thread. I don't have a clue of breaking strength or anything, I just grabbed some to fill a order..-WW

 

always used to use waxed dental floss for making horse halters, bridles, leads, etc. worked fine.

 

Walmart carries uphostrey thread in the sewing section. Stuff is very strong.

 

Actually Nylon thread rots. Polyester thread does not, Polypropoline floats and rots as well.

 

Does anyone know if the needle off a sewing machine would fit a Speedy Stitcher Awl? I ordered one but the 2 needles it came with are really thick and I am guessing they are for leather. If the shank off a sewing machine were thick enough, it would work perfect for in-the-field repairs when coupled with a Speedy Stitcher.

 

Does anyone know if the needle off a sewing machine would fit a Speedy Stitcher Awl?

Yes, they fit and tighten down. I just tried it ...

I ordered one but the 2 needles it came with are really thick and I am guessing they are for leather.

Nope, not just for leather. Those needles will work on a variety of materials (canvas, vinyl, leather etc) and I've sewn some insanely heavy stuff with my Speedy Stitcher.

If the shank off a sewing machine were thick enough, it would work perfect for in-the-field repairs when coupled with a Speedy Stitcher.

I haven't tried sewing anything with this combination ... but I don't see any reason why you couldn't or wouldn't want to keep a #16 or #18 needle (i.e., a "Jeans Needle") and a spool of Button and Carpet thread in your gear.

oddshot

 

Dental floss. Hundreds of practical applications including this one.

 

I also use Upholstery thread(Coates brand) when sewing just about everything I make.
I usually make bags and drawstring backpacks. I use a jeans needle thats a little heavier duty then the normal ones.
It's getting harder to find(W**mart has it in a few diff colors as someone mentioned)
and some fabric shops that sell Coates have something called Heavy Duty thread. Still strong but not quite as thick as Upholstery.

 

...for general info about stitches and how-to http://sewing.org/html/guidelines.html