Intermediate Wheeler Wilson W9 bobbin case fix
#1
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Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 24
Intermediate Wheeler Wilson W9 bobbin case fix
I will spare you the tales about my addiction to 14 other machines (and counting). This is about a Wheeler Wilson W9 with the pre-D9 model 8-style bobbin case.
What, you say? Intermediate W9? No, it is not a Singer. And it is not a parts machine. Apparently the early W9's used the model 8 style bobbin case and a swinging "gate" that holds the bobbin case in place. I got this machine from my parents, who said it was my great grandmother's machine. And alas! It had no bobbin case.
I tried a WW bobbin by itself. No go, the top thread wrapped around the bobbin. I tried feeding thread through the hook race, a la a thread stand--no go. I bought a bobbin case off eBay for too much money, only to realize it was for a later D-9 machine and didn't fit. But I did have two bobbins.
After searching the web for weeks, I found pictures of the intermediate machine and the model 8 style bobbin case. It looked a lot like a half sphere with the top cut off and a tension arm added. There are NONE of these on eBay--trust me, I've watched for six months. And then, I had an awful Grinchy idea: If I don't have a bobbin case, I'll make one instead.
Long story short: I cut the handle off a plastic teaspoon, ground it down to size, drilled and sanded it narrow enough, and drilled a tiny hole for the bobbin thread. After a lot of cut-and-try and fiddling with the top tension, I added two small squares of felt INSIDE the case for bobbin tension. Two hours later...the old WW is stitching again, with a 50-cent teaspoon for a bobbin case.
Since I have haunted quiltingboard (among others) in search of a solution, I thought someone might appreciate the easy fix--and even better, the resurrection of this quiet, smooth old machine.
What, you say? Intermediate W9? No, it is not a Singer. And it is not a parts machine. Apparently the early W9's used the model 8 style bobbin case and a swinging "gate" that holds the bobbin case in place. I got this machine from my parents, who said it was my great grandmother's machine. And alas! It had no bobbin case.
I tried a WW bobbin by itself. No go, the top thread wrapped around the bobbin. I tried feeding thread through the hook race, a la a thread stand--no go. I bought a bobbin case off eBay for too much money, only to realize it was for a later D-9 machine and didn't fit. But I did have two bobbins.
After searching the web for weeks, I found pictures of the intermediate machine and the model 8 style bobbin case. It looked a lot like a half sphere with the top cut off and a tension arm added. There are NONE of these on eBay--trust me, I've watched for six months. And then, I had an awful Grinchy idea: If I don't have a bobbin case, I'll make one instead.
Long story short: I cut the handle off a plastic teaspoon, ground it down to size, drilled and sanded it narrow enough, and drilled a tiny hole for the bobbin thread. After a lot of cut-and-try and fiddling with the top tension, I added two small squares of felt INSIDE the case for bobbin tension. Two hours later...the old WW is stitching again, with a 50-cent teaspoon for a bobbin case.
Since I have haunted quiltingboard (among others) in search of a solution, I thought someone might appreciate the easy fix--and even better, the resurrection of this quiet, smooth old machine.
#2
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Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 24
Oh! I forgot. I have also read frequently that this machine takes "non-standard" needles, I.e., you can't use the ubiquitous 15x1 needle in it. There was one needle in the machine, and the greatest difference was the shaft diameter. I put a 15x1 needle in a vise and filed it down, and it looped and caught the hook perfectly. So, I am happy to say I can still use the high quality Schmetz and Singer needles I do with my other machines.
#4
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Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Millville, NJ
Posts: 1,835
Welcome to the QB. Well done, very creative repairs. I'd enjoy seeing pictures of your #9. I'm familiar with your bobbin case and it is indeed very difficult to find without buying a complete new machine.
Jon
Jon
Last edited by jlhmnj; 01-17-2016 at 12:32 PM.
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