Mine are metal as well and I've never had trouble winding them. You have to make sure they are threaded right and that the bobbin is all the way down on the spool to keep the thread from going under the bobbin. You should also go at a lower speed. I'd get more bobbins fromViking or a store that sells them. Metal bobbins from Wal-Marts wont work. You should also be able to download a manual for it, make sure to oil it alot. If you do a lot of sewing every day, oil every day.