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Needle Cases

My needle cases are turned on a lathe.  The cap and the body connect using a tenon and mortise with matching tapers.  The body cavity is formed by drilling.  The tapered mortise is then formed with a tapered reamer.  The matching tapered tenon on the cap is turned by hand using a taper gauge to get the correct size.

This is a needle case and cap open to show the matching tenon of the cap.  

 I make three different size ranges of needle cases.  In keeping with the seeming notion’s protocol of using obscure conventions for sizing, I identify them using the tapered reamer size.  My large needle case sizes start with #8, my medium needle cases start with #7, and my small needle cases start with #6.  This is followed by the maximum length of needle they will hold.  So, for instance, a #6x1.25 needle case would be a small needle case that will hold needles up to 1-1/4” long.  See the individual sizes for the size of bore and the range of needle sizes available.

 Optionally I will install a magnet in the cap.  This allows you to remove the needles in a more controlled fashion [link].

I used to offer a needle threader built into the cap.  I no longer do this.  I found the ultra-fine wire hard to work with and never felt they turned out as well as I wanted.  Furthermore, needle threader wires eventually break, and I never found a way to make them easily user replaceable.

#8 Large Needle Cases

#8 Needle Cases.  From left to right:  #8x5 Holly, #8x4 Yellowheart, #8x3 Cherry, #8x2.75 Mahogany, and #8x2.5 Maple

The body cavity of a #8 needle case is formed using a 13/32” (0.406” or ~10mm) drill bit.  The outer diameter of the body is about 3/4”.  The overall body length will be about 15/16” longer than the longest needle.  The cap adds about another 1-1/8” to the total length.

Large needle cases can be made with a maximum needle length of 2-1/2”, 2-3/4”, 3”, 3-1/2”, 4”, and 5”.  The 4” and 5” needle cases are intended for tatting needles.

Large needle cases in 4” and 5” needle lengths are $21, or $22 with a magnet.  The rest of the large needle cases are $17 or $18 with a magnet.

#7 Medium Needle Cases

#7 Needle Cases.  From left to right:  #7x2.5 Red Oak, #7x2.25 Pear, #7x2 White Oak,  #7x1.75 Dogwood, and #7x1.75 Ash

The body cavity of a #7 needle case is formed using a Letter R  (0.339” or ~8.6mm) drill bit.  The outer diameter of the body is about 5/8”.  The overall body length will be about 15/16” longer than the longest needle.  The cap adds about another 1” to the total length.

Medium needle cases can be made with a maximum needle length of 1-1/2”, 1-3/4”, 2”, 2-1/4” and 2-1/2”.

Medium needle cases are $16 or $17 with a magnet.

#6 Small Needle Cases

#6 Needle Cases.  From left to right:  #6x2 Apple, #6x1.75 Pecan, #6x1.5 Purpleheart, #6x1.25 Goncalo Alves, and #6x1 Cherry

The body cavity of a #6 needle case is formed using a 17/64”  (0.265” or ~6.7mm) drill bit.  The outer diameter of the body is about 1/2”.  The overall body length will be about 3/4” longer than the longest needle.  The cap adds about another 3/4” to the total length.

Small needle cases can be made with a maximum needle length of 1”, 1-1/4, 1-1/2”, 1-3/4” and 2”.

Small needle cases are $15 or $16 with a magnet.

Magnets

A needle case with a magnet to draw out the needles.

Magnet Video

A short video that shows how the cap works and using the magnet in the cap to select needles.

Available Woods

These can be made of any solid wood or laminated wood I have available.  It won't work with Corian.  See Laminates for pictures of laminated woods that are available.  See Turned Wood Samples for solid woods that are available.  See To Order for ordering information.  Or just send me an email at David@DavidReedSmith.com