Class 15 clone bobbin winding issues
 

I have a class 15 clone which I love, but I am having an issue. When winding a bobbin, the thread will jump out of the little tension disc below the bobbin winder. Some of my threads come on tall spools - is this part of the problem? I see that the tension disc can be moved side to side. Should I move it further away from the spool? Or should I hold the thread with my fingers as it winds?? This machine has a stitch - for both straight stitching and FMQ. But the bobbin thread tension will suddenly go problematic and I think this happens because the bobbin thread is not winding with even tension because it jumps out of the tension disc. I have just been stopping and moving the thread back into the disc and then continuing with winding the bobbin. What do you all suggest? Thanks!

tell us what model machine you have or is comparable to.....A photo of the "tension disk" you are referring to would be helpful. If your thread is getting under your bobbin and winding around the pin, thread your bobbin in the "Bunny down the rabbit hole" trick. Thread your thread up through the tiny hole on the bobbin, then take the thread down the center of the large hole. Place the bobbin on the spindle and wind your thread. Cut the thread from the spool, then trim off the thread at the little hole location, The reason for a badly wound bobbin is when it is jumping out of the "tension disk" it is loose on the bobbin, then you put the thread back in the disk and the thread winds tighter.....so your bobbin is not wound consistently, thus causing problems with your stitching when sewing. Hope you can figure this out.

Thank you for your response.
My machine is a clone of a Singer 15. I don't know any other way to describe the model, sorry. I have included a picture of the machine and a pic of bobbin winding side of the machine. The disc I am referring to is to the right of the spool pin below the bobbin winder/handwheel. (On the base of the machine.) It looks like it will move side to side. I am wondering if that will help the thread not to jump out of the disc as the bobbin is winding - resulting in consistent bobbin winding.

The thread is not getting out of the bobbin and wrapping around the pin.


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You can adjust the tension on the bobbin wider by turning the screw you see in the front of it (on the bed of the machine). I've not had your specific problem, but often get the bobbin winding mechanism going too fast and the thread will jump off the spool pin and the thread wraps around the post where you put the bobbin.

The first thing I would do is play with adjusting the tension (both tightening and loosening) to see if you can make it work right. My guess it's either too tight and the thread won't seat between the discs or it's too loose and the thread pops out. If that doesn't work I'd work with the speed you are using to wind the thread with slowing and speeding up with your foot controller so see if there is a speed where it works correctly (I'm suggesting that because of my experience).

Something to think about is that thread spools aren't as heavy as they were when this machine is made. When this machine was made, all the spools were wooden. So, if you still don't have a satisfactory solution is to put some kind of weight on the top of the thread spool to make it heavier (coin, washer, fishing weight) and see if that helps.

bkay

Thank you so much bkay! I will try adjusting the tension on the discs - I had not even thought of that - and think about what speed I am winding with. I had thought about the bobbins being different than when the machine was made. I like your suggestion to add a little weight. I appreciate your help!!

The left to right adjustment of bobbin tension is for uneven feeding of the bobbin, for example if there is more thread on one side of the bobbin than on the other.

I have a bobbin winder tension that is missing one of the pieces, so no tension on that one. But if you have all the pieces, bkay is right to adjust the screw on the front.

Something else that may help, besides weight of thread spool, would be to put a spool pin felt on the spool pin on the bed of the machine.

It seems that some of the 15s have a notch on the front side of the nose plate, so one could run thread from the top spool pin to the front notch of the nose plate, down to the tension disc and then up to the bobbin winder.

Janey - Neat people never make the exciting discoveries I do.

As OurWorkbench mentioned, move the tension assembly "under" the bobbin for even winding/stacking. As for the spool pin- IMO it's too close to the tensioner so it doesn't unwind with even tension, and may even twist the thread. Also as mentioned you want to introduce a bit of drag on the spool to eliminate backlash. Think of it as casting with your fishing reel.

If equipped with the "notch" that OurWorkbench points out, use that. If not (and what I use) is a thread stand placed somewhere within line of sight of the tensioner. You want to insure the last "eye" before the tensioner is fixed, which the path directly off the spool is not (fixed.).

Great info - Thank you!!

I don't think I have a notch - so will try the thread stand. Thanks so much for your explanation!

One more thought... Wrap the thread around the tensioner in a figure 8. It will go all the way around the tensioner and stay in place better.

Annette, I don't understand what you are suggesting. Can you describe what you mean in more detail? In my mind, I'm thinking the thread goes from the spool over to the tension, and then under and through the discs and up to the bobbin that is being filled. I can't picture how you can get a figure 8 in there and where to put it

Thanks.

bkay

I have a Singer 15-91 and encountered this problem before and easy to correct. If i'm using taller thread cones then i'll sit my thread stand just to the left front of the machine and feed the thread through the bobbin winder thread tension disc as usual. You may find guiding the thread between your fingers (before the bobbin winder tension disc) helps. Also, using a slightly slower feed rate when winding the bobbin helps :thumbup:
Since doing this, i do not encounter any problems at all. I doubt the tension disc needs adjusting unless it's been stripped down and not properly re-set on reassembly.

I have just started working on a clone that looks exactly like yours. It’s a beauty!

Sorry Hooligan, I've been too busy to get on the board lately.

So it goes from the spool to the right of the tensioner, wraps around under the tensioner, then to the winder. So it makes an "X" where it crosses at the top of the tensioner.

Hiya, I've included a couple of images to show where i place my thread stand if using the taller cones. I also want to note that if it (machine) is set-up correctly then all you need is medium rate speed to wind the bobbin. The only other issue i've had is with inferior machined modern bobbins but does not relate to the problem you mention :thumbup:

https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-h_YRkROkc...bin-Winder.jpg

https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-np0qn4O1X...ad-Tension.jpg

So to get the "figure 8" or X at the top of the tensioner, the thread would go from the cone holder, across the top of the tensioner first, then underneath, then up to the bobbin. It creates a snugger fit. Maybe I'm crazy, but it's just what I've learned to do with all bobbin winder tensioners. In your picture, the thread goes from the cone holder underneath the tensioner first, then straight up to the bobbin winder.

If your bobbin is slipping while winding, sometimes you can put a shim in the center post to widen it's grip. But I can't remember if that machine has a split post, so you can do that. Mine is out in the garage at the moment.

@quiltedsunshine That is correct (works great every time). I'm not the OP, only merely trying to help with my experience with the 15-91 model :thumbup:

I am the original poster, and have not been on the Board in a while. I so appreciate everyone's help and suggestions!! Quite a few responses have been added since my last visit. This forum is the best! So much knowledge and help. I am eager to be able to sew more on this machine, and I really appreciate everyone's input. I am looking to order a thread stand today!! https://cdn.quiltingboard.com/images/smilies/smile.png

Just wanted to add: your 15 clone has the name "Universal" on the badge. It's a beautiful machine!

Don't tell anyone, but I'm a bit of a control freak. When I wind bobbins, I hold the thread as it's winding on the bobbin. I'm sort of an extra tensioning device. Usually it's because the bobbin doesn't fill evenly, so I manually guide the thread back and forth. Sometimes I just want some extra drag on it so it's as full as possible. I think it's a holdover from winding balls of yarn on my ball winder.