Oh Joe, that is a pretty wacky way to do things.
You do have to tilt up the machine to change bobbins on it. Even dainty fingers can't make it around that corner to get it out. I think some Pfaff's are that way too, or very similar to it. Maybe it is a German thing.
As a sewing machine, it does more than make up for that though. I say that if you see one, grab it!
One thing though Charlee, The bobbin winder on the two that I knew had a different bobbin winder setup than yours does, but it is hard to tell. I am attaching a pic of a friends gorgeous Free Westinghouse machine. It shows the bobbin winder pretty well. Is yours like this one? It is hard to see in your pic.
~G~
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