I made a replacement needle, and the blow test with the needle seated seems to indicate that it will work.
I was able to use 3/16″ 5C collet in the lathe, even though the stock was .025 larger.
The closest I could measure the old rusty needle was an included angle of 18 degrees,
so that’s what I made the new one.
I turned down the needle point to about 95% finished, then was having some trouble getting
the bit to “cut into” the pointy end. Perhaps a little deflection in the point.
Therefore I switched over to a Dremel and stone mounted on my tool post.
That seemed to put a pretty nice finish on it, but I polished it up a little with
steel wool too.
Prepare to be boarded!