What's your bobbin preference?
 

In the TOL Machines, is there a preferred bobbin and why or why not? My machine has a drop-in and I've never had any trouble with it. I've been looking at the newer expensive machines and the bobbin intimidates me. Should I be afraid of tension issues?

Don't think so. The only thing about bobbins that has changed over time is the size, how they wind, etc. This shouldn't be an issue. I've been told that TOL machines have bigger bobbins to hold more thread - so less running out.

TOL machines use the same as the cheaper machines, my expensive brother and cheap walmart brother use the same bobbins, case and size. I prefer drop in, its easier to me, my older brother used to be front load but tension was the same to me anyway

It's a preference, but drop in bobbins (horizontal bobbin systems) are known to have more tension issues because of the extra 's' curve the thread has to pass through. Vertical type bobbin cases are preferred by many quilters because of this. I have both drop in bobbin systems and vertical types and the vertical type does tend to give consistently better stitching and tension. But, I have drop in Elnas and Janomes and love them too.

All my machines have drop ins except for my Baby Lock. No problems with any drop ins.
Do not like the vertical at all. What a hassel to load and you dont know when the bobbin is low on thread.
I have never had to adjust the tension on my machines even for free motion.
I have two Brothers and a Viking Sapphire that I love.

I have a Viking Ruby and it has a drop in. I have No problem with tension. As a matter of fact I can honestly sayt that in the yr I've had my machine I've never touched the tension. My machine adjust on it's own depending on what I'm doing. The bobbin isn't any harder to load. I can't use the Sidewinder to fill the bobbin because it fills in reverse of what my Ruby does but I can fill the bobbins while I'm sewing or embroiderying so it's all good.

I thought the topic was going to be about plastic or metal bobbins.

I learned how to sew with the vertical bobbins, so I'm more comfortable with them. I was totally at a loss at how to thread a drop-in bobbin machine because it was different! (It can't be too difficult - my (sometimes) air-head son can manage the Singer 404!)

I can purchase plastic and/or metal bobbins for three of the machines I have now. They seem to behave equally well with either - even though the people at the Creative Sewing shop said I should use whatever the tech had put in the machine when it was cleaned, oiled, and adjusted.

Singer Fashionmate 237 (probably late 1950s or early 1960s)
Singer 404
Pfaff Creative 1471 (I think) (late 1980s)

The Necchi BU only has metal bobbins

It would be helpful if bobbins had some sort of identification on them - such as 15 or 66 or SOMETHING!

Here's a great link for clarification on the different types of bobbin systems and the pluses and minuses http://blog.sew-classic.com/2009/02/...-vertical.aspx

I have a series 8 - Bernina 830 and it has the larger bobbin that holds 40% more thread than the regular bobbins. My 7570 and 4170 pfaffs use the regular size bobbins and I have no problem with them. I think it is a personal preference. When I embroider with the 2170, I use the pre-wound bobbins. They are wound much more tightly than the machine can do it and are no more expensive than the "wind it yourself" bobbins.