old bobbins
 

I saw that someone posted on a thread recently that they don't use old bobbins.

Is this common? Does that mean that you don't refill disposable bobbins or don't reuse plastic ones, etc. ?

What does it mean to you?

I get rid of my bobbins when they break, get stepped on, warped or something similar. In other words, I don't get rid of bobbins very often since I don't buy prefilled paper bobbins. I have both plastic and metal bobbins and don't notice a difference. I like to have a bunch of bobbins and then fill 20 or more at once so I don't have to stop and refill bobbins in the middle of something fun.

I have learned to fill all bobbins at the end of a day of sewing. Then you are ready for the next time. Hugs

I, too, like to fill lots of bobbins. I've also bought pre filled plastic bobbins and just keep reusing them.

I think I was the one that posted I don't use old bobbins. Let me add more details of why. For one thing I like new bobbins. :) It's just a sewing eccentricity I have. Nothing wrong at all with most old bobbins.
But plastic bobbins can have small cracks and scratches after many uses. Metal bobbins if dropped can get out of round. Most times I have had terrible bobbin thread issues, when I changed to a new bobbin the problem disappeared. I wind older metal bobbins with all different color thread and keep in bobbin holder for hand sewing binding or yo yos or mending. Over the years I had way to many filled older bobbins so I started giving filled bobbin rings as gifts. A silicone bobbin ring with filled bobbins of different colors of Aurifil thread will make any quilter's face light up. Another reason to buy new bobbins and fill the old ones.

Of all the things I want to spend my money on it is not bobbins because they might be old? I have plastic bobbins at least 10years old if not older and there is nothing wrong with them.

I guess I am not "getting it". And if the bobbins are old, why fill them?

So confused here.

I've been using the same bobbins for years and years. I also mix up metal and plastic in my machines and so far no problems.

I have one machine that uses plastic bobbins. I don't use it much now. The replacements do not work well. You can bet I keep them. The other machines uses metal bobbins and they work just fine. You can bet I keep and use all of them.

If you have old bobbins that are not working well in the machine - you can always wind thread on them and use them on the top of the machine for twin needle work.

A full bobbin on serger needles works well. Use the cones for the loopers.

Just mark the old ones with nail polish or whatever.

I never thought to get rid of my bobbins! I have all the bobbins that came with my 80s Singer and ones I added to the stash. I have all the bobbins and those I added to my Baby Locks. I keep some filled for Embroidery (with a black dot on them), the others I fill as I need them. Some of you on this board mentioned using the left overs for piecing and that helped me a lot. I can now say I do have empty ones. I have never used prewound purchased ones.

My machines use only metal bobbins. Some of my bobbins are 13 years old. They still work well so I keep using them. I have lots of bobbins for my machines. I am very left handed and do not like threading the needle on my Featherweight so I always fill several bobbins each time I oil the machine. I do not want to unthread that machine to fill a bobbin when I am sewing.