Nancy, I've had to buy a couple replacement bobbin cases for Class 15 machines and I get them from Sew Classic. http://shop.SEW-CLASSIC.COM/Bobbin-Cases-Parts_c23.htm

Look at the machine bobbin area and see which way the finger goes and match it to the website pics. Easy, peasy:>

I've received two class 15 machines out of time, so yes it does happen. I wouldn't say they are prone to timing issues, but if you've been loved and used for many years your bound to have a grandson play with you and mess up your timing. (you know?;>) hehehe. She can get the bobbin case and then you can attempt the retiming on it? She won't be out much for sure. Though, my local repair store charges $75. Tension and timing issues are different beasts. I don't have a vintage Brother, but I've heard they are nice machines! And of course they tend to appear in all those drool worthy colors.

Nancy, I looked it up too and it does look like a 15 case to me. How would you know the machine is out of time if you don't have the bobbin in and try to sew with the machine? Can you tell just by turning the hand wheel?

You can tell it's out of time if the needle is hitting the hook area or if the feed dogs won't play nicely. You don't necessarily need the bobbin case in for that.

Ok Candace just got me in trouble - again!

I just picked up this 306w! I don't want the cabinet - we will probably make a dump haul with it! The machine looks to be a very good shape, but it is missing its bobbin case! What is it with these bobbin cases? I only gave $25 for the machine without the bobbin case! I know the 206, 306, 319 all take a special 'L' bobbin, special 206x13 needles - so I assume the bobbin case will be hard to find! I was not willing to pay more than $25 without the case! The cabinet was full of stuff! A buttonholer, 9 feet, a couple slide plates, and 7 fashion disks so the machine was worth the price. Besides, I have a bobbin case for my 319w, so I can use either machine - the problem is a friend wants this 306w to put in a treadle so I will need to find a bobbin case! http://sacramento.craigslist.org/atq/3030319283.html

Nancy

Nancy, check with Cathy. She may have an extra. Congrats!! Don't chuck the cabinet! I know plenty of people that would want it on Freecycle or even for a few $ on Craigslist.

I have given a bunch of those cabinets away by listing them as desks for kids on freecycle. They don"t look sewing machine-ey, and are a perfect size for a kid desk. Nice looking machine! I have yet to get involved with any of the 306/206/319, but it is only a matter of time....Laura

Just bought some class 15 bobbins for my FW and my 301a machines. I was wondering if they fit other Singers? They are the ones from Jenny at Sew-Classics with the extra little hole near the center. Thank you.

Sure have been seeing high prices on vintage machines. Today I saw a Bernina Record 830 for either $400 or $600. It has the original case, accessories and manual but I don't think anyone would buy at that price. I have mine which I bought new in the 70s but would never give it up. I have always loved it and now it is loved right along with my other vintage machines. :)

Linda, I hope you didn't really buy class 15 bobbins for your FW and 301? Class 15 bobbins fit the class 15 machines, the 15 clones, and a few other machines. They won't work in a FW nor a 301. The FW and the 301 use a special bobbin made just for those machines!

Nancy

306W bobbin case....... I seem to recall there being two cases .. the 319 is I recall almost all got the "open" style and the 306 a closed style ( later ones maybe getting the open?) in any case the one that came with my 306 is a closed one ( full cup with just a cutout for the needle) and I have never dealt with any of the others. mine works ...... if you want pictures I can try to help, but will not be back to my machinefor a couple weeks. Have you seen my video of the 306 in a treadle stand? it works rather well.

Dan

http://www.quiltingboard.com/vintage...o-t185409.html
thats a black 306 in an old ( not fully adjusted and clunky) 27 treadle... the treadle is made in 1900 112 years old... the machine is mid 50's

Candace and Laura, I wouldn't even try to sell the cabinet, in fact I'd feel bad even giving it away. It looks ok in the photo on Craigslist, but in person it is in terrible shape. The veneer can be just lifted off, the seat is minus all vinyl, the feet are all split and coming apart. The drawers are in ok shape, we thought about just dropping it off at our local Hospice on the way home with the machine, but felt it was in too bad a shape to even do that! No, that cabinet along with a Spartan cabinet (I think) are going to the dump! I am not going to even try to re-do them!

I thought about Cathy maybe having the bobbin case. I am a little worried about the machine. I have been trying to wipe all the oil that the manual soaked up and cleaning the machine so I haven't had a chance to see it it will sew. Then we had company! Anyway, there were regular 15x1 needles in the cabinet drawers, which worried me - then I found a receipt for $42 from 1976 for re-timing the machine. I took out the needle and sure enough it was a 15x1 - not a 206x13 - which means the machine was re-timed or someone who didn't know what they were doing tried using that needle! Now, I have a few minutes I will finish cleaning the lint, etc., out then see if the machine will sew with my 319w bobbin case! Keep your fingers and toes crossed for me!

Nancy