can't get bobbin case out of my Singer 306K
 

Purchased a 306K at a garage sale and can't get the bobbin case out of the race. There is a bobbin with thread in it in the case. I haven't tried to sew on it yet. I'm following the instructions in the manual that came with it. I can get the case to come forward but not out. Any ideas?

sorry to ask this, since I have never seen one of these if you can post a pic, I might be able to advise.

Steve's right of course, and a picture would give a much clearer idea.
My first thought was that the bobbin is either:
1. Over-filled (and thus getting thread caught between bobbin and race)
2. The wrong one (seems less likely, though)

or 3. thread has become tangled in the race. You should be able to see this.

An over-full bobbin would cause this problem, but either way thread seems most likely as the cause. I'd try prying it with slightly more force with long nose pliers (and I mean slighty). If it doesn't come out then, don't yank it or something bad may happen: Removal of the race mechanism is easy enough and it's what you'll have to do to remove the bobbin (you can do it with the bobbin still in place). If thread is locking the whole mechanism in, you'll just have to go through the process of disassembling the surrounding bits until you can get at the offending cause. Have your snips ready to liberate it of course.

There is a bobbin in the case. The thread moved freely when I pulled on it so I pulled out all of the thread. Doesn't appear to be any more thread in there. I think the bobbin is causing the problem so I'll have to remove the race mechanism. How do I do this? This is a link to the manual but it has nothing about removing the race mechanism. http://www.singerco.com/uploads/down...ff8e037f58.pdf

There's a dog-leg shaped piece screwed to the body at the top of the bobbin race which is holding it all in.
Have you seen this manual? http://parts.singerco.com/IPsvcManuals/306W25.pdf

The needle is up,, correct ?

Yes, the needle is up. I did find that manual but have been having trouble finding how to disassemble the race. I'll keep reading. I think I'll take it to the local sewing machine repair to see what they say if I run into problems taking out the race assembly. Also going to check to make sure the needle in the machine is the proper type. The machine is clean so don't think lint or thread is the problem.
Thanks everyone for the suggestions.

Maybe the bobbin case is bent. If the machine has the original timing and the user put in a regular needle, the needle will strike the bobbin case. I've seen several damaged bobbin cases but never had one stuck in a 206 /306 /319.