That's what I figured about the side winder. I might have to invest in one. Do the work with all sorts of bobbins?
I oiled everywhere the manual told me to oil and in a few spots i thought needed it. The manual highlights surprisingly few places to oil. I believe I did oil all of the places you mentioned though there's no where near the plastic to oil if I remember correctly. So I think I will not try the bobbin winder then. Next I will try it to get it to do a straight stitch. Mom said she had troubled with the tension spring. The manual isn't too clear. I'm not sure if the spring on the left is supoused to pop back up or if it's generally loose?
Those were the two noticeable points that I thought might be problematic.