I use thread stands on all my machines and love them.

Thread that is stack wound (thread lies one thread right next to the thread on the last round), should come off the spool from the side, so should go on the spindle of the machine. Thread should come off the back of the spool.
Thread that is cross wound (thread crosses over all the other threads on each round), should come off the spool from the top. Some machines have a sideways spool holder for those. Otherwise, they need a thread stand so that the thread can come off the top of the spool. I have already set the cone on the floor. Cats love that.

I believe that I have been using my thread stand every day for about 12 years. I started because I was using cones of thread. I really like it when I switch machines.

Thanks everyone I'm going to put this thing together and give it a try. Maybe it will help with certain threads that I was having trouble with (skipping stitches).

Maviskw - Now that is a piece of information that I never knew. I had noticed the different way that thread was stacked but never thought it made a difference.

I tried a couple and had problems. Then I took a piece of wood, stuck in a metal rod and clamped the wood to the edge of my table. LOVE IT! It never wobbles, I can move it to whatever table I am working at and I added a small peg that I stick the extra bobbins on.

I have one of those thread racks that attaches to my machine and I LOVE it. I am not a fan of spool caps. My stand works with all brands of cone thread. I use the holder on my machine and a spool cap rarely.

I have 2 stands that hold 10 spools each. I love them for my embroidery machine, where I have to change threads often, and frequently repeat the same color on a design. I made my own thread stand for using cones at my DSM. I used a piece of 2x4 board for the base, drilled a small hole and used a piece of heavy wire coat hanger to lift the strand of thread. On each side of the wire I inserted a piece of doweling to hold the cone in place. Works like a charm.

I use thread stands all the time because I usually buy big cones of thread - works perfectly. I don't have anything special, just some heavy stands that I inherited from my stepmothers stuff.

I use the cones so thread stand works for me, mine holds 2 spools but the threads tangle so I just use one. I like it

I have the big spools of Superior Masterpiece and the thread stand I had broke. I've discovered a hack I use all the time. I put the thread cone in a coffee cup behind my machine near where the thread holder is located. I attach a binding clip to the the thread dowel push the end thing that holds the spool in place and thread through the grip part of the binding clip. Then you just thread as usual. You can also use a paper clip that you tape to your machine.