: Hey folks, Anyone know what the thread used to sew ballistic nylon is called
: and a decent source for it?
: Thanks, Elliott

Tandy Leather sells various threads for sewing heavy-duty items, like thick canvas and leather. Their website is:

www.tandyleather.com, and a direct link to the lacings and threads is:

http://www.tandyleather.com/products.asp?dept=166

A lot of these threads are waxed to allow the multiple strands to stick together as a single strand, and probably to lubricate the thread so it doesn't snag while being used. An oil-based finish should dissolve whatever wax is on the threads, (which won't affect the strength) and the finish should not be impaired.

I'm not sure how a waterbased finish will work with the waxed thread, but I suspect the surface area of the thread is so slight ( and indented) that any kind of paint or varnish film will simply bridge it, jsut as it bridges the gap between the woven fibers of any cloth.

If you want a locally available thread, ask at the local fabric store for "button hole twist" (you can get this in polyester), carpet thread, pearl cotton, or white embroidery floss.

Pearl cotton is a thick, strong, and fairly inexpensive thread normally used for decoration. The picture below is of a ball of Pearl cotton, size 12. www.joann.com sells this normally for $2.15 for 131 yards -- which is more than enough for sewing up a boat. You should find similar size balls and skeins for about that price at most fabric stores.

Liek wire gauges, there are different sizes to this material, and a lower number equates with a thicker ( and stronger) thread. While the balls of pearl cotton may be about the same size,(probably sold by weight) a thicker thread will be shorter. For example, a ball of size 5 will be 53 yards long and size 8 will be 95 yards long.

Like it's name implies, this is a cotton thread, which should soak up a waterproofing finish like a wick.

Embroidery floss is normally sold in skeins. A white embroidery floss would usually have multiple strands, which you can separate if you want a thinner thread, or leave combined for greater strength. You'll want an embroidery needle, with a big eye, which is easier to thread. If you are doing a "natural" or uncolored finish on the skin, consider using a brightly colored embroidery floss, and the stitching will stand out as a decorative element.

Jo-Ann fabrics sells a skein of 6-strand embroidery floss for about about 60 centsl, and that is about 8 yards long. If you split it in half you get about 16 yards of three strand floss. For the price it is a cheap thing to try. You can get floss in rayon or cotton.

Many craft stores also have embroidery floss and the pearl cotton, and the prices are close to those I've mentioned -- although sales on these materials, and smaller skeins, can cut those prices dramatically. I've seen prices as low as 19 cents a skein last summer.

If you are sewing a synthetic, like dacron or nylon either will work, but I'd match a synthetic thread with a synthetic fabric, and a natural cotton thread with a cotton canvas.

Hope this helps

PGJ