Tar Heel, thanks for the idea, a 10 gauge is just right. So I have a 10 gauge finger I guess. Inside measurement of the Federal one I used was 0.790. I removed the primer, then took a 6mm boat tail bullet and drove the base in with a mallet and dowel. I cut it off and flattened the bullet with a punch, down below a bit. The lead of the core will catch the needle.
That will work till Bill gets the other one made, since I'm sewing on some pants, them eyes of the neele sting a bit, more coming out than going in.