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Thread: Needle cases

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Oct 2007
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    Wallan Victoria Australia
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    60

    Needle cases

    I spent a little time in the shed today and made a few magnetic needle cases which are very popular with the embroidery ladies in my area.

    I glue a 6x3mm rare earth magnet in the base which allows them to pick up dropped needles and pins, in addition they can be used to store toothpicks, small tablets or a spare banknote.
    Attached Images Attached Images
    My wife and I had words, but I didn't get to use mine.

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Feb 2008
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    E TN, near Knoxville
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    Quote Originally Posted by Alan Arnup View Post
    I spent a little time in the shed today and made a few magnetic needle cases which are very popular with the embroidery ladies in my area.
    I glue a 6x3mm rare earth magnet in the base which allows them to pick up dropped needles and pins, in addition they can be used to store toothpicks, small tablets or a spare banknote.
    Nice cases! I especially like the one made from gum nut tree.

    Do these open by unthreading the hardware at the top at the ring?
    I've never made one with hardware, just with wood turned like a lidded wooden box but with a wide flange where the top slides on and off.

    JKJ

  3. #3
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    Oct 2007
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    Wallan Victoria Australia
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    Hi John,
    Yes, they are threaded at the top, very easy to turn and easy to
    assemble. Just have to have a steady hand when directing hot melt glue
    into the base cap to hold the magnet in place.
    My wife and I had words, but I didn't get to use mine.

  4. #4
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    Feb 2008
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    E TN, near Knoxville
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    Quote Originally Posted by Alan Arnup View Post
    Hi John,
    Yes, they are threaded at the top, very easy to turn and easy to
    assemble. Just have to have a steady hand when directing hot melt glue
    into the base cap to hold the magnet in place.
    Thanks! I found some kits online - I want to try some of those. I like the positive threaded closure and the ring for fastening. The magnet is a nice touch. I wonder if epoxy would work - I tend to use it on almost everything these days.

    I've made a bunch without hardware, as I mentioned, like little wooden boxes. In case you are interested, here are some I did a few years back.

    needle_casesA.jpg

    Before I made these I had no idea needle cases were so popular! I wanted to try some with threaded lids but my hand chased threading skills are not yet ready for prime time! I think your method with the hardware would be fun to try. Thanks.

    JKJ

  5. #5
    Alan, wouldn't gluing a magnet into the base, make it difficult to get the needles out of the case? It would have to, it would be what the needles rested on when stored in the holder. Plus, when you wanted just one needle, wouldn't all the needles be stuck to each other because of the magnet? They look great by he way.
    Len

  6. #6
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    Oct 2007
    Location
    Wallan Victoria Australia
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    Quote Originally Posted by Len Mullin View Post
    Alan, wouldn't gluing a magnet into the base, make it difficult to get the needles out of the case? It would have to, it would be what the needles rested on when stored in the holder. Plus, when you wanted just one needle, wouldn't all the needles be stuck to each other because of the magnet? They look great by he way.
    Len
    Hi Len,
    The rare earth magnet is placed at the bottom of the base cap. The hot melt glue is then dropped on top of the magnet to approx. two thirds of the depth of the cap. That thickness ensures the magnet stays in place and is sufficient to avoid the needles becoming magnetised. At no stage do the needles touch the magnet or become a problem. Hope this allays your fears.

    Alan
    My wife and I had words, but I didn't get to use mine.

  7. #7
    John,

    What did you search for? I haven't been able to find them. What is the kit called? Link maybe?

    Clint

  8. #8
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    Quote Originally Posted by Clint Bach View Post
    John,

    What did you search for? I haven't been able to find them. What is the kit called? Link maybe?

    Clint
    I can't remember what I searched for but I found several kits I thought would work. This, for example, should work the same with a longer tube. https://www.pennstateind.com/store/PKSEPILL.html

    Maybe this one: https://www.woodturnerscatalog.com/p...ick-Holder-Kit or one of the other kits on this page with a threaded top: https://www.woodturnerscatalog.com/t/60/Key-Rings (some are large diameter, some smaller)

    Or here: http://www.packardwoodworks.com/Merc...roj-supp-keyrk

    This one uses a 10mm drill: http://www.packardwoodworks.com/Merc...roj-supp-keyrk as do these: http://www.woodturningz.com/Secret_C...Keychains.html I see they sell the 10mm tubes in 10" lengths.

    When I get time I'll probably buy several and try them (ha, probably not till August!). Maybe Alan will mention where he bought the hardware.

    JKJ

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Oct 2007
    Location
    Wallan Victoria Australia
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    Sorry, just noticed this when looking over some of my activities. I get my "Secret Compartment Kits" from Mayama Gems in Myaree Western Australia. Cost, including G.S.T. is $2.01 each.
    My wife and I had words, but I didn't get to use mine.

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Mar 2018
    Location
    Melbourne Australia
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    100
    Alan, presumably this is the kit you allude to?

    https://www.mayama.com.au/product/se...thpick-holder/

    Which looks pretty identical to the one JKJ mentions in his second link.

    I thought you may have purchased them from Pop's Shed as they are sort of local to you (and me).

    http://www.popsshed.com.au/Product_M...id=162&pid=427

    Mick.

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