Class 15 metal bobbins inconsistant
11-11-2014, 05:59 AM
#11
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Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: Mendocino County CA
Posts: 1,976
It's not just the 15 bobbins that are bad. Singer branded class 66 bobbins sold at Walmart are garbage too. They're visibly narrower at the rim than vintage class 66 bobbins and they tend to be inconsistent too. Quality control is nearly non-existent on them I think. I haven't had to buy any new class 15 bobbins yet so can't say whether I've had any problems with those ones.
I hold onto my vintage bobbins. Usually a visual inspection for rough spots or bent ones is all it takes.
Rodney
I hold onto my vintage bobbins. Usually a visual inspection for rough spots or bent ones is all it takes.
Rodney
Cari, I did the same and gave away bobbins with machines that go re-homed but now I am feeling more protective of the few I have that work!
11-11-2014, 06:19 AM
#12
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Join Date: Feb 2012
Posts: 8,091
To sort bobbins I test run them on machines. You don't have to fill them with thread, just pop them on the winder (checks the shaft hole), then engage the little peg (checks the depth of the notch), then watch as they rotate (checks for run out). That's all it takes.
As for getting new Class 15 bobbins, the last ones I bought from Sew-Classic were the metal ones and they've been good. I haven't bought any in a long while but I have enough for us.
Most of our machines use the Class 66 bobbins and the metal ones I've gotten from Sew-Classic have been wonderful.
I also dislike plastic bobbins of any type, although I do use them if handy and already filled with thread. We usually keep them around for the machines that are supposed to use them.
As for getting rid of bobbins with machines that are re-homed, I give out two usually. Or if the machine came with a complete set of attachments and had it's original bobbins I send those out with it.
As for quality control, there isn't any. Especially if the product is made in China.
Joe
As for getting new Class 15 bobbins, the last ones I bought from Sew-Classic were the metal ones and they've been good. I haven't bought any in a long while but I have enough for us.
Most of our machines use the Class 66 bobbins and the metal ones I've gotten from Sew-Classic have been wonderful.
I also dislike plastic bobbins of any type, although I do use them if handy and already filled with thread. We usually keep them around for the machines that are supposed to use them.
As for getting rid of bobbins with machines that are re-homed, I give out two usually. Or if the machine came with a complete set of attachments and had it's original bobbins I send those out with it.
As for quality control, there isn't any. Especially if the product is made in China.
Joe
Last edited by J Miller; 11-11-2014 at 06:22 AM.
11-11-2014, 06:37 AM
#13
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Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Samsonville, New York
Posts: 268
My Singer 201-2 came with a plastic bobbin - I don't know how old it was - and seems to prefer that bobbin. I had bobbins from my treadle 66 that I tried and it didn't seem to like them for some reason. The 'new' 201-2 I bought has some dark metal bobbins - almost black - and I'm looking forward to trying them. I never liked plastic, and since I often manage to drop the bobbin so it rolls behind the machine and under the radiator, the metal bobbins are easier to retrieve with a magnet.
11-11-2014, 07:13 AM
#14
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Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Oak Ridge North, TX
Posts: 7,172
I guess I was lucky when I bought some class 15 metal bobbins, Dritz brand, at Joann's several months back -- no problems or else my two machines aren't picky -- my 1978 Kenmore 158.19142 and my 1932 Singer 15-91 sew nicely with them and aren't complaining
11-11-2014, 08:08 AM
#15
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Join Date: Feb 2012
Posts: 8,091
Linda,
The dark bobbins may be the old machined bobbins. I have some that are the same way and if you look close at them they were turned out on a lathe. VERY EXCELLENT bobbins. I grab them when ever I see them.
Try better quality Class 66 metal bobbins in your 201, it was made for them. The plastic ones usually work as good as the metal ones but not always. Try scrubbing your bobbin case and check the bobbins it didn't like for defects.
The problem may be the bobbins, not the machine.
Diane,
The Dritz bobbins sold by JoAnn Fabrics are kind of a double level thing. The bobbins sold in the little plastic 10 unit box have been JUNK, while those sold on the blister cards have been better. At least that was our experiances a couple years ago when we tried them. I ended up junking about half of those we bought then and I haven't bought any more from JoAnn since.
Joe
The dark bobbins may be the old machined bobbins. I have some that are the same way and if you look close at them they were turned out on a lathe. VERY EXCELLENT bobbins. I grab them when ever I see them.
Try better quality Class 66 metal bobbins in your 201, it was made for them. The plastic ones usually work as good as the metal ones but not always. Try scrubbing your bobbin case and check the bobbins it didn't like for defects.
The problem may be the bobbins, not the machine.
Diane,
The Dritz bobbins sold by JoAnn Fabrics are kind of a double level thing. The bobbins sold in the little plastic 10 unit box have been JUNK, while those sold on the blister cards have been better. At least that was our experiances a couple years ago when we tried them. I ended up junking about half of those we bought then and I haven't bought any more from JoAnn since.
Joe
11-11-2014, 11:45 AM
#16
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Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Victorian Sweatshop Forum
Posts: 4,096
My Singer 201-2 came with a plastic bobbin - I don't know how old it was - and seems to prefer that bobbin. I had bobbins from my treadle 66 that I tried and it didn't seem to like them for some reason. The 'new' 201-2 I bought has some dark metal bobbins - almost black - and I'm looking forward to trying them. I never liked plastic, and since I often manage to drop the bobbin so it rolls behind the machine and under the radiator, the metal bobbins are easier to retrieve with a magnet.
Cari
01-29-2019, 07:48 PM
#17
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Join Date: Dec 2018
Posts: 3
I realize this is an old thread but I am having a terrible time with bobbins right now! I have a 66, 99, and a 201 and between the three machines I have maybe two bobbins that are usable. I bought some new bobbins at Joann's and they unusable because I can't get the bobbin winder to close down to engage. I am so frustrated because I looked on eBay and they wanted something like $15.00 for three or four vintage bobbins. Any ideas on where I can find some decently priced vintage bobbins? Over here in Yakima I find only the cheap plastic reproductions.
01-29-2019, 08:25 PM
#18
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Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Victorian Sweatshop Forum
Posts: 4,096
ChevyDude65, I totally agree with you. Even on the FB selling pages anything for vintage machines is outrageously priced. Try emailing Cindy Peters, [email protected]. She sells good bobbins(along with anything else a person might need) but she doesn't have a website. She's a great vendor.
Cari
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