couple of Singer 99 questions...
 

Hi
I have an electric SInger 99 that seems to sew very well, but does not like to go through thick seams. Should I increase the pressure of the presser foot or is there something else going on? I have a Singer 237 Fashion Mate that is the same way, but it does not have a knob on top to adjust the pressure...any ideas there? The other problem I have w/my 99 is the bobbins. I realized yesterday that the plastic class 66 bobbins are too narrow and will not allow my winder to work. Are there different sizes of the class 66 bobbins? Are the metal ones better?

TIA,
Jp

make sure you have a fresh/new needle. on the bobbin, i always stay away from plastic ones. as much as possible use the original singer bobbins. metal is better.

I have 2 / 99's and love them . They do not like plastic bobbins either , and at times I get birds nests. I don't know how to fix , so I just switch machines . When I go back to #1 she works fine for a while.

You''d actually decrease the pressure on the foot if you're sewing on thicker items.

There are two types of plastic bobbins: Good ones, and junk. If you buy them at JoAnn fabrics or Hancock or elsewhere it's hit or miss what you'll get.
I bought a batch of plastic Class 66 bobbins from Sew-Classic for those machines with plastic bobbin cases and they work great. They also fit and function just fine in my older to antique 66s, 99s, and other machines.

It just all depends on the quality of the bobbin.

Joe

Thanks for the help. I think I will look for the metal bobbins. Thankfully a few came w/the machine.

Decrease for thick, increase for thin....got it!

Jp

Stay away from the Singer branded metal bobbins sold in stores. They're narrow too and the quality control is poor.
People here recommend Sewclassic.com for good quality bobbins. I filed down the bobbin winder on my Singer 66 because I was having the same problem with narrow bobbins. I thought the problem was with the machine :shock:. You would think the bobbins sold by Singer would fit properly right? After I did that I saw some other class 66 bobbins at my LQS and they appeared to be wider than what I was used to seeing. I'll try those the next time I buy that size bobbin.
Rodney