Plastic vs. metal bobbins for old machines
07-29-2011, 10:17 AM
#11
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None of my machines are particular. I use either plastic or metal, depending on which I grab. I have two vintage singers, one a treadle using a class 15 and one an electric using a class 66. I use plastic or metal on my dinky mechanical Brother which is the least fussy machine I have ever owned. It doesn't care about bobbins, threads or needles and will sew anything. (I feel like I bragged on it too much and now when I go to use it it will crash on me!!!!!!!) Of course the featherweight uses it's own bobbin, and I only have metal ones. Maybe that's all that's made for it.
07-29-2011, 11:14 AM
#12
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Originally Posted by bearisgray
I really wish bobbins had some sort of labeling on them so I would know which one is which.
07-29-2011, 11:26 AM
#13
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I've used both as well in my old and new machines and rarely had a problem but I stopped using metal bobbins in the top loading newer machines since part of the assembly is plastic and my repair guy told me the metal bobbins will wear the plastic out. Made sense to me so now I only use the metal bobbins if the casings are all metal as well.
07-29-2011, 11:32 AM
#14
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Originally Posted by amma
I am not sure, maybe with all of the prewounds available?
I prefer the metal and wish the new machines still used them :D:D:D
I prefer the metal and wish the new machines still used them :D:D:D
I hadn't thought of prewounds being a reason. I can see that.
07-29-2011, 11:33 AM
#15
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Originally Posted by mom-6
I'm guessing that part of the reason is that the plastic bobbins are much more readily available in places like Wal-Mart which would be where a person would most likely go first to find replacement bobbins.
Even as an experienced seamstress I did not initially recognize the differences between the various bobbins and attempted to use wrong ones on one of my machines and did not realize that was part of the cause of the birdnests I experienced with it. Need to go back and figure out which bobbin really was meant for that machine and see if that will make it work right. Also need a bobbin cover for it. The random piece of clear plastic does not substitute very well there either.
Even as an experienced seamstress I did not initially recognize the differences between the various bobbins and attempted to use wrong ones on one of my machines and did not realize that was part of the cause of the birdnests I experienced with it. Need to go back and figure out which bobbin really was meant for that machine and see if that will make it work right. Also need a bobbin cover for it. The random piece of clear plastic does not substitute very well there either.
07-29-2011, 12:23 PM
#17
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Originally Posted by Candace
I find this thread curious as I've been told by vintage machine folks that the plastic bobbins are a no-no!
07-29-2011, 12:25 PM
#18
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Originally Posted by virtualbernie
Originally Posted by Coyote Quilts
Knowledge? They probably don't know, don't understand and most importantly don't care. :)
07-29-2011, 12:43 PM
#19
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I'm about to try a plastic bobbin in my 99K which I recently purchased at a thrift store. It came with one metal bobbin and I bought the metal 66 bobbins which should work. they fit but do not work - the machine refuses to sew, it's as if the bobbin is just a hair too tight. So someone suggested plastic. I'm going to have to get some to try soon unless someone has a better suggestion.
07-29-2011, 12:49 PM
#20
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Originally Posted by katyquilter
I'm about to try a plastic bobbin in my 99K which I recently purchased at a thrift store. It came with one metal bobbin and I bought the metal 66 bobbins which should work. they fit but do not work - the machine refuses to sew, it's as if the bobbin is just a hair too tight. So someone suggested plastic. I'm going to have to get some to try soon unless someone has a better suggestion.
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