Just thought I'd share my efforts getting the Wheeler and Wilcox No. 8 going. Everything was working like a Swiss Clock except it would not take up the bobbin. Over and over I tried..checked, tried again, you all know the drill. Well, all of a sudden I realized that the needle probably was the problem...yes, it was the correct needle for the machine (not original I figured...but proper side. I inched the needle down from the needle shaft a nail's thickness, and ...it brought it right up. I forgot that in the modern needles the hole is a tad higher than the olden days..
Made sure, very sure, that the needle was not coming in contact with the bobbin case, and it took it right up...
Live and Learn.