---
title: "Bent dispensing needles: 45-degree, all-metal and elbow tips | Lineside Dispensing"
url: https://lineside-dispensing.com/guides/bent-dispensing-needles/
description: "When a bent dispensing needle beats tilting the syringe, and how 45-degree plastic-hub needles, all-metal bent needles and plastic elbow tips compare."
---

1. [Guides](/guides/)
2. Bent dispensing needles: 45-degree, all-metal and elbow tips

# Bent dispensing needles: 45-degree, all-metal and elbow tips

Updated October 7, 2026

On this page

1. [When a bend earns its place](#when-a-bend-earns-its-place)
2. [Three kinds of bent tip](#three-kinds-of-bent-tip)
3. [45-degree bent needles](#45-degree-bent-needles)
4. [All-metal bent needles](#all-metal-bent-needles)
5. [Bent elbow tips](#bent-elbow-tips)
6. [Choosing between them](#choosing-between-them)
7. [Where to go next](#where-to-go-next)

[Get a quote](/quote/)

Short answer

Use a bent needle when the joint is recessed, behind a lip or along an inside edge, so the syringe or valve can stay upright. Choose a 45-degree plastic-hub needle for general adhesives in fine gauges, an all-metal bent needle for solvents and heavier gauges, and a plastic elbow tip for thick materials on surfaces that must not be scratched.

## When a bend earns its place

A straight needle reaches anything the dispenser can point at. Problems start when the joint is not in line with the syringe or valve:

- An inside edge, such as the corner of a housing.
- A recessed joint at the bottom of a pocket.
- A point behind a lip or flange.

The operator then tilts the syringe, or the machine needs an extra axis. Tilting changes the angle of the outlet to the part, so bead size and placement drift. A bent needle keeps the dispenser upright and puts the outlet where the bead belongs.

## Three kinds of bent tip

| Option                | Bend                | Construction                                                     | Best for                                                                      |
| --------------------- | ------------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| 45-degree bent needle | 45 degrees          | Type 304 stainless steel cannula in a threaded polypropylene hub | General adhesives in fine to mid gauges                                       |
| All-metal bent needle | Specified per order | Bent Type 304 stainless steel cannula in a threaded metal hub    | Solvents that attack plastic, heavy use, thicker materials in 14 and 16 gauge |
| Bent elbow tip        | 35 to 40 degrees    | All-plastic tapered tip, PP or PE, threaded base                 | Thick adhesives and sealants, surfaces that must not be scratched             |

The steel options keep a straight, constant bore up to the bend. The elbow tip is tapered, so it lowers back pressure on thick materials.

## 45-degree bent needles

| Gauge | ID      | OD     | Lengths             | Hub color |
| ----- | ------- | ------ | ------------------- | --------- |
| 20G   | 0.6 mm  | 0.9 mm | 1/2, 1 and 1-1/2 in | Pink      |
| 21G   | 0.5 mm  | 0.8 mm | 1-1/2 in            |           |
| 22G   | 0.4 mm  | 0.7 mm | 1/2, 1 and 1-1/2 in | Blue      |
| 23G   | 0.3 mm  | 0.6 mm | 1/2 in              |           |
| 25G   | 0.25 mm | 0.5 mm | 1/2, 1 and 1-1/2 in | Red       |
| 27G   | 0.2 mm  | 0.4 mm | 1/2, 1 and 1-1/2 in | Clear     |
| 30G   | 0.15 mm | 0.3 mm | 1/2 in              |           |

This is the family to start with for most assembly adhesives, because it covers the fine gauges used for dots and thin beads.

## All-metal bent needles

| Gauge | ID      | OD      | Lengths             |
| ----- | ------- | ------- | ------------------- |
| 14G   | 1.55 mm | 2.08 mm | 1/2, 1 and 1-1/2 in |
| 16G   | 1.15 mm | 1.6 mm  | 1/2, 1 and 1-1/2 in |
| 18G   | 0.86 mm | 1.26 mm | 1/2, 1 and 1-1/2 in |
| 20G   | 0.6 mm  | 0.9 mm  | 1/2, 1 and 1-1/2 in |
| 25G   | 0.25 mm | 0.5 mm  | 1/2, 1 and 1-1/2 in |

The metal hub has no plastic for a solvent to attack, and it stands up to repeated fitting and removal. The 14 and 16 gauges carry heavier materials than the 45-degree family can.

Tell us the bend angle your fixture needs when you ask for a quote.

## Bent elbow tips

Elbow tips are 29 mm (1.14 in) overall, with a 35 to 40 degree bend near the outlet. They are color-coded by size.

| Gauge | ID      | Color |
| ----- | ------- | ----- |
| 14G   | 1.55 mm | Olive |
| 18G   | 0.85 mm | Green |
| 20G   | 0.6 mm  | Pink  |
| 22G   | 0.4 mm  | Blue  |
| 25G   | 0.25 mm | Red   |

Because the tip is plastic, it will not scratch a finished surface if it touches the part. Confirm your outlet takes the same threaded base as our straight tapered tips before ordering.

## Choosing between them

1. **Is the material thick?** Sealants, RTVs and filled adhesives flow more easily through the tapered elbow tip.
2. **Will a solvent or heavy use attack a plastic hub?** Choose the all-metal bent needle.
3. **Is the dot or bead fine?** The 45-degree family covers 20 to 30 gauge.
4. **Does the bend angle have to be exact?** Send a drawing or the customer’s current part number, and we will confirm the match.

A bend adds some flow resistance. If a bent needle dispenses slower than the straight one it replaces, step up one gauge or shorten the needle. Our [gauge guide](/guides/needle-gauge-guide/) explains how bore and length set flow.

## Where to go next

Browse all [angled and bent needles](/dispensing/angled-and-bent-needles/), or compare with straight [tapered tips](/dispensing/tapered-tips/).

Matching a bent needle a customer already uses? Search the part number in our [cross-reference](/cross-reference/), or send it through the [quote page](/quote/). We quote per SKU and quantity.

## Questions

When should we use a bent needle instead of a straight one?

When the dispense point is recessed, behind a lip or along an inside edge, and reaching it with a straight needle would mean tilting the syringe or valve. A bent needle keeps the dispenser upright and the bead consistent.

Does a bend slow the flow?

A bend adds some resistance compared with a straight cannula of the same gauge and length. If flow drops, step up one gauge or shorten the needle.

Can we get a 90-degree bend?

Our listed 45-degree family is fixed at 45 degrees and the elbow tips at 35 to 40 degrees. Tell us the angle your fixture needs and we will confirm what we can supply in the all-metal family.

Plastic hub or metal hub?

A plastic hub suits general adhesives and costs less. A metal hub suits solvents that attack plastic and heavy daily use.

Where along the needle is the bend?

Bend position varies with overall length. If your fixture needs a set bend point, send a drawing and we will confirm it before you order.

## Related products

- [Angled and bent needles](/dispensing/angled-and-bent-needles/)
- [Tapered tips](/dispensing/tapered-tips/)
- [Needle gauge guide](/guides/needle-gauge-guide/)
- [Luer lock vs luer slip](/guides/luer-lock-vs-luer-slip/)

## Send us your part list. We quote each line.

Samples before the first lot. Quoted per SKU and quantity.

[Get a quote](/quote/)[All guides](/guides/)