My sidewinder (I've had it for about 3 years) used to wind really awful too...so I have a cone holder & that's what I use to put my spool or cone of thread on, set it where the actual thread on there should go, put a thread cap on top of the thread, do not engage the automatic winder till I wind a little first just with the button, then cut excess thread, make sure the bobbin is seated well, & then engage the automatic winder to finish winding. I get nice even bobbin winding. I don't use my machines to wind thread anymore, I love this so much. (Except my Viking Designer 1--the winder doesn't work for those bobbins)