Some metallic thread just doesn't work well. I have had very good luck with Yenmet, using it in both my quilting and in a high speed multi-needle embroidery machine (which rally stresses thread!). I am surprised you are having trouble with the Superior metallic because it gets good reviews. In quilting I used a 90/14 needle with a prewound poly bobbin thread. It did take some fussing with the tension, loosening the top more than a "regular " thread, but it sounds like you have that done. Since it only breaks after sewing a bit, is it possible that the thread is getting hung up somewhere? I never found a need to put the thread in a pail, just put it on the spool like other threads. I am thinking it gets caught somehow in your pail.Pam