Pfaff and small sized needles

[sewmuchmore]

Does anyone else have a Pfaff (QE4) that will not take a small needle? I am sewing with chiffon and really need a size 8 needle but no matter how tight the screw is it will not stay in the shaft. Is it the machine or have i got a dodgy pack of needles. They are Schmetz so not a cheap brand. I don't have any trouble with other sizes and have had to end up using a size 10 which is not ideal.

[Celia]

The shafts should all be the same size so I think it’s a dodgy pack of needles, I had this happen a while ago with an Overlocker, it was the needles

[Lachica]

I also have a Pfaff. Size 70 needles are not a problem, the needle shafts should all be the same regardless of needle size. I did have a spate of using twin needles & having them fall out in use. Since they were expensive Schmetz ones I took them back to the dealer I bought the machine and the needles from. I also took a micrometer to demonstrate to him that the shafts were undersized, and I sat there measuring his stock of twin needles until I found one with a shaft the correct size. He then refunded me for the broken ones. Cheap ones bought online didn't have this problem. This was a few years ago. Since getting a coverstitch machine I haven't used twin needles. So, in a long winded way, I'm saying there may be a problem with the needle. Dealer also told me if the problem continued he could replace the needle clamp in the machine. At that time my machine was barely a year old.

[Efemera]

I have a Pfaff QE4... never had a problem with any needles... as said before all needle shanks should be the same size.

[sewmuchmore]

Thanks everyone, i need to restock my needles so will send for some more size 8 and see how i get on.