My bobbin winding spindle won't turn on 15-91
 

I was winding monofilament thread on my bobbin and now I have a problem. :mad: I think some of the thread got stuck inside my bobbin winding spindle/shaft. Is that possible?? It turns really hard and I can't get it freed up. I have tried oiling with sewing machine oil, Tri-Flow, and WD-40. Even letting it sit overnight (many nights) so the oil would soak in. It moves a little easier, but is too stuck to wind a bobbin. I didn't have a problem until I used the monofilament thread. Can the spindle be taken out and cleaned? :sew: :wave:

Oh, I can see how that would quickly become a problem!

Can the sewing machine outer casing be removed by unscrewing it? If so, that might allow you to get at the monofilament thread and unwind it. However, if the sewing machine is computerized, you have to be extremely careful with the cables and computer boards when you take the shell off.

Just had a thought - I wonder if you could use a fine crochet hook to catch the thread and pull it out that way?

If you have another machine that uses the same size bobbins, you can wind them on that machine. That's a bit of a pain, but if nothing else is wrong with the sewing machine it's a good way to get around the problem.

Good luck!

It is a vintage 15-91 Singer. I can't see any thread, but can't figure out how to take the bobbin spindle apart to check of any thread is inside. :)

Mistake #1 was attempting to use mono thread in a bobbin. Not a good idea. I was told to never do that.
Any decent repair person will be able to clear that for you.

If it got stuck and there was any friction - it could easily melt the mono-filiment so it's not the same as just pulling out a stuck thread.

Products that could disolve the plastic could damage the finish on the machine, so you may want to remove the bobbin winding assembly before trying them. Possibly carb cleaner, but that will damage the finish. And you would need to get the chlorinated type, the non-chlorinated product will not. DH is racking his brain - stuff he knows would work is only available if you have a license to handle it as it is dangerous to your health to use.

And one more option - buy one off eBay and replace it. Probably cheaper than taking it to a shop.

I bet what little friction there was, did melt the thread inside. Lesson learned...no more mono thread in the bobbin on my vintage machines! I will look what I can find on eBay for repairs. Thanks everyone!

15-91 user here. Replacement part is needed am afraid. Not viable trying to repair and not guaranteed either :thumbup:

offbeat thought. and I would only try if desperate. If melting mono caused the problem could heating up the assembly and melting the mono again fix it. Stove top anyone? . and also, WD 40 does ugly things to sewing machines. It leaves sticky residue.

Not stove top. BBQ grill.. Don't need to be breathing it.

You won't get it to spin freely but melting the thread somewhat will allow you to push the shaft out, which probably won't happen without heat. After the shaft is out you can clean out the bore and shaft so the fit is normal. I'd be surprised if the mono residue didn't pop right off after cooling. Ream bore and clean shaft.

I don't where this "WD-40" hate comes from. I've been using it since it's inception in '59-60. It was the first aerosol product of it's type. I still find WD-40 to be one of the better solvents available for it' intended purpose. It is not a LUBE! No other solvent will cut old grease or varnish like WD. Of course if you don't clean the parts after getting them freed, and before oiling, it will gum up again. Not WD-40's fault.