[ATTACH=CONFIG]525054[/ATTACH] Help.. I purchased this national 400b in cabinet, they forgot the manual and are suppose to mail it, but i need to see if anyone can tell me anything about it?? It does work but I need a bobbin case for it and not sure if just any will work?? thanks in advance

Can you show us a picture of the bobbin area? It's a Japanese zigzag machine. 90% of them use class 15 bobbins and cases.
Chances are it's this one.
http://shop.sew-classic.com/Bobbin-C...ger-JO1313.htm
Sew-Classic.com is highly recommended here for parts.
Rodney

[ATTACH=CONFIG]525129[/ATTACH]its a little blurry..

That looks right for the bobbin case I linked to.
Thanks,
Rodney

Thank you so much!

I just hope one of the more experienced members chimes in to verify it. If you have a class 15 machine around try the case from it and see if it fits.
Rodney

Just remember, most of the "class 15" non-Singers take a case with the finger pointing in the opposite direction from a Singer 15 machine.

From the picture, this takes one with the finger pointing to 1:00. Singers are usually pointing to 11:00 (though Singer did make some for a short time that were the other way)

http://www.quiltingboard.com/vintage...e-t236267.html

The finger points another direction as Cathy said but there is a slot in the bobbin case that can be long or short for the 15s. If you get the wrong one you will know - needles break when they hit metal.... I'm not exactly sure why some machines have the long slot but I'm thinking it has to do with whether or not the bobbin faces you or the side. If I were at my shop I would photograph the difference for you. I'm taking care of my Mom. She has not been doing well.

You only need to worry about it if you have a front loading machine. Short slot=straight stitch machine, long slot=zigzag machine. That's because with a front loader the whole bobbin assembly is stationary so the slot has to be wide enough for the needle to come down in zig and in zag.
With an end loading machine that zigzags, the whole bobbin assembly moves back and forth with the needle so it's always in position with the needle; the needle always comes to the bobbin at the same place so a long slot isn't necessary.

Cari

I ordered the one rodney said and it worked great! Runs great and quiet! Finally received the book so I know a little more about it....