does it matter if it is metal? I have a new Brother machine that came with 4 plastic bobbins, but I have about 10 metal ones here.
Thank you!
David

I use plastic bobbins in mine.

The metal should work fine. Metal is actually a better bobbin because it is less likely to distort under pressure than plastic.

Put it in and try sewing a few stitches by manually turning the wheel. If that works, sew slowly. Gradually test out all functions and speeds. Just in case......

Thanks Prism!!
David

You really need to use the bobbins made for your machine. Throw the metal ones out. I learned that lesson the hard way.

Were they the same class bobbin? You do need to use the specific size of bobbin made for your machine as there are subtle differences in shapes and tolerances among bobbin types. In other words, you can't just use a bobbin that looks okay. But I thought plastic and metal bobbins of the same type were interchangeable.

Read your manual!!

I'm a guy, I don't do manuals :wink: :lol:
David

I just had this discussion with my husband yesterday. LOL!!

This is what the dealer told me. I know everyone has their own opinions, but I do what he told me and I haven't had any problems.

The only machines that I use metal bobbins in are the industrial type machines.

I started researching this on the net and it seems that there are a ton of contradictory opinions out there. Here is what I have found so far:

As a general rule, if the bobbin case is metal then use metal bobbins.

As a general rule, if a machine is sold with plastic bobbins then use only plastic bobbins in it.

Older vintage machines came with metal bobbins, but plastic bobbins work in them. The only thing is that switching between the two can cause changes in tension.

Metal bobbins of the same class can be of different qualities. Vintage metal bobbins were machined accurately, but some of the modern metal bobbins are not machined as well and can cause problems in some machines.

Finally, I found this which seems to actually directly address the original question:
"10 pack of plastic class 15 bobbins fit all class 15 drop-in rotary or oscillating hook machines, whether older front load or newer top drop in class 15 bobbins. It is ok to use plastic bobbins in metal and plastic bobbin cases. Metal class 15 bobbins should only be used in front load metal bobbin cases as it may cause undue wear on top load plastic bobbin cases, but will work fine."

We had a fairly new sewer in our guild and she was having all sorts of problems with her machine. When I went to help her I noticed she had both metal and plastic bobbins and I asked her which came with her machine. When she put in the bobbin that came with the machine she didn't have any problems at all.

I would say if you want to spend time fighting with your machine use what ever you want. If you actually want to sew without problems use what came with your machine.

NO NO NO NO NO...In some machine a metal bobbin will ruin the bobbin case and then you will be up a creek.....
Please don't chance it....

I have a drop bobbin in my Janome Gem. I use metal, plastic, and the paper sided bobbins makes no difference in the sewing and it's over 5 years old and no problem. The plastic bobbins can be mishapped sometimes right out of the package so be careful about buying them too cheap.

I have a Brother that takes class 15 bobbins and I use either metal or plastic. I get the same good results with either one.

If I'm not mistaken the plastic bobbins came about when they started making the low bobbin indicators on sewing machines. The mechanics of it was that the low bobbin indicator could not read through a metal bobbin to let the user know of a low bobbin. That is what I was told by Pfaff. There are any number of higher speed machines that do fine with the plastic bobbins. They are engineered that way and are not really made of what we think is plastic...it is another type of high grade material that has no problems with high speed. I think there is a lot of misinformation out there about bobbins.

That said, if your manual says use only XYZ bobbin then of course use only that type of bobbin but a I don't think a plastic type vs metal type class 15 will make that much of a difference. Both types can warp with a lot of use. Also some newer machines aren't made with the all metal bobbin cases and the metal bobbin may be too hard on them. I am speaking of the less expensive machines that are available today. However the higher end machines should not have a problem with either unless you have a low bobbin indicator and want it to work properly...then you need to use a plastic type bobbin for your specific machine. Again, these bobbins are NOT plastic but some new high grade type material that were created specifically for these machines.

That's because the bobbin doesn't spin in a drop in bobbin machine.

To a guy, reading the manual is the same as asking for directions....

I bought my first Brother last summer. I asked if I could use my metal bobbins and I was told if I used the metal ones they would chew out the bobbin case. It came with plastic bobbins for a reason. Don't use the metal ones if you want your bobbin case to last a long time.

I have an old Singer and it is all metal so using the metal ones in it is just fine. I also use the plastic ones in my Singer but doing the opposite of useing the metal in your Brother is not a good idea.

what I was told is, you can use plastic in place of metal but don't use metal in place of plastic. The metal bobbin in a case made for plastic will cause too much wear. don't know if this is true but it does make sense.

I thought my Husband was the only one who didn't read manuals.

I get the same stitch with either.

I also have a Brothers sewing machine. I use both. The only thing I have found my machine will beep when I am low on bobbin thread with the plastic bobbins and it will NOt beep if I use the metal ones, otherwise it works just fine as long as its the same size (15)

Hi David,
The place that I bought my Brother sewing machine says if it came with plastic that is what you have to use. The metal or plastic will affect the tension. I don't think it will cause any damage to the machine. Just make you crazy with the tension adjustments.

At the prison, we use Brother machines & use both metal & plastic. HOWEVER - check your metal bobbins as some of them are loosly made around the center hole so that your thread gets caught on flange of the piece of metal.

I believe all you have to do is make sure they are the same size. That is what my manual said. Especially on the height. I used different bobbins without thinking and ruined my machine.

I have an old Singer that came with metal bobbins. When i bought it though the lady had a plastic one in it. The osmg (old sewing machine guy) here said he actually preferred the plastic ones.

mine are also 15....I would call someone and ask...I was under the impression, you could not interchange....maybe I am wrong though.

I had my Brother cleaned and I was told by the serviceman who worked in a sewing machine factory that the metal bobbins will chew up the plastic bobbin case.

LOL David!!! My husband is always trying to get me to read manuals. I can't wait to show him your post!!! I read the manual when I absolutely MUST!!! The "aha" moments are too much to resist and are such a thrill when experienced! My husband's response: "The manual said it would do that."

I'm staying away from this one!! Except to say that just because you have something hanging around doesn't mean it's good to use anywhere. Recycling isn't always a good thing

My 2 year old Brother machine came with Class 15 plastic bobbins, and they wok the best. The metal ones have notches that catch the thread and cause terrible nests or breaks the thread in my machine.

Yes It does matter. Talk to the people who service your machine. I got a talking to from my service man. I was using metal and he told me to use plastic. :oops:

Doesn't matter.......so long as it works good.

I've got an older Singer Merritt machine model # 4552. (from my sis in law) I need more bobbins. There is not one word in the manual about which Singer bobbin is correct. I started to buy some spare bobbins from JoAnn's the other day and found several Singer bobbin types.

The one bobbin I have has nothing on it except "Singer". I'm going to have to take the bobbin to town and probably open a couple packages of bobbins to see what is correct. I have some spare bobbins from another machine and they are about 1/16th of an inch taller-------------just enough that they won't work.

I even went to a Singer on line site for my machinea and still can't find what bobbin I need.

GrannieAnnie, it looks as if your machine takes a class 66 bobbin. Here's an online parts store listing parts for your machine:
http://www.sewingpartsonline.com/Sin...ine-parts.aspx

Bless your heart! I obviously did not find the right link. Thanks again!

I was told quite a few years ago by my Jamone serviceman that I shouldn't use the metal ones in my 9000 b/c of a magnet in the bobbin case and that it wouldn't spin right( I hope I'm remembering correctly) I guess my advice to you is use what came with your machine and/or check with your serviceman to see what they say. This particular guy also said to only use Organ needles in it b/c that's what he adjusted it to when he checked my machine. But the place I take my machines to now says I can use Janome, Schmetz or Organ.

David, use the coupons at Joann's and get some new ones!! Doesn't seem like there is any correct answer and everyone has different opinions. I also have a Brother and some old metal bobbins from my old Singer, so I use plastic in the Brother and use my old metal ones for "thread on the go" so I don't have to lug spools with me to do a little sewing away from home. Those spare bobbins fit nicely in those clear plastic pill dispensers (the daily/weekly ones) or like I bought at Joann's, one that has a spring lock bar so they don't accidently open. It was only a couple of dollars and I still used a 20% off coupon and each compartment fits two bobbins.

I suggest you call the shop that you purchased your machine & ask them. When I bought my BabyLock the sales lady told me NOT to use metal bobbins.