I can see where it might happen, anything can go wrong but to buy an extra machine or even a bobbin winder to prevent something that might and rarely happens doesn't sound right. I got one on sale and wind bobbins (metal ones) to have different colors of thread to take with me when I'm doing hand work. yes, my machine could also have done the same thing but I wanted to try it and I got an awesome price on it. Like I said, it works for one machine but not the other but I normally just use my machine to do the winding. My Viking will wind while I sew or embroider as well.

I donated mine to the thrift store. It was a gift from a quilting friend, and she loved hers. I thought it was winding way too tight and too much onto the bobbin for my bernina. This was some time ago, and maybe the newer ones are better like someone said. My 440QE machine has a seperate motor and spool to wind bobbins and I like that better anyway.

I will confess that I hate the bobbin running out in the middle of something. I also hate having to unthread my machine to wind another bobbin so I purchased the Easy Winder. I love it. I don't mind sewing and really put the peddle to the metal. Even with my stand alone embroidery machine I like to use variegated thread whenever possible because I don't have to keep changing thread. I can purchase prewound bobbins for my Bernina in white or assorted colors. I will confess I use the prewound white ones for most of my projects that let me use white thread. Just another time saving device. I have wound a lot of bobbins on my Easy Winder and still haven't had to change batteries.

I'm not much of a gadget person... if my machine winder broke somehow I'd try one but that would be the only reason. I try to keep extra bobbins of piecing thread wound and I find I usually need a break from machine quilting about the time I run out anyway.

I had one of those bobbin winders, recently gave it to my sister-in-law. I have Babylock machines and the bobbin winder didn't wind the bobbins full enough it seemed.
And, two of my machines have separate bobbin winding spools and I can wind a bobbin while I am sewing or embroidering.....if you don't need the color of thread you are sewing with to do so! LOL
The bobbin winders are popular, many love them.

I have one and use it to wind a bunch in the two colors I use at one time. I don't think it's a necessity, it's a nice to have. It did also work on the big M bobbins when I had a hard time at first with the bobbin winder that came with my HQ Sweet Sixteen. I got that sorted out now, but at the time it was a lifesaver.

Works well on the older Pfaffs like the 2100 series. The 2140 had a lousy bobbin winder. I've used it for embroidery bobbins, and it works on the PQ1500,

It will wind most domestic bobbins. I'll buy cheap bobbins of any kind to wind thread on for the serger.

I use mine so I don't have to unthread my machine. I have a Pfaff and the bobbin winder does a better job of winding the bobbins than my machine does.

I started out with the least expensive bobbin winder and it did not work well at all. I returned it and bought the deluxe version by Simplicity at JoAnn's with a 50% coupon. My Bailey uses Class 15 bobbins and I still had several size L prewound bobbins from the previous machine. The winder works great and I found it helps to put one of those small thread caps for the spindle to keep the prewound bobbin from spinning off the spindle. Also, I use the lowest speed to get the bobbin started. Then I turn it up to the highest speed so that the thread winds more evenly.

I bought one recently and was disappointed because it doesn't do such a great job. It winds the thread a bit too loosely for my machine. Also, it is so lightweight that you have to hold the thread spool with one hand, keep the bobbin thread moving up and down (to evenly thread the bobbin) with the other hand, and hold the entire winder steady with yet another hand (3???, ha ha). Not worth the time, money or aggravation. Money wasted in my opinion.