help with a class 15 clone bobbin winder?
 

So my new Commander is up and running, mostly. After an overnight sit doused with oil, this morning everything moves freely. The bobbin winder is sort of an issue though.

When you push the lever down, like when you're winding a bobbin, the bobbin tire moves, but doesn't actually go anywhere. When you push up on the release, that part pops up, but the tire actually moves *down* a little bit. In no case does the tire actually touch the hand wheel though.

There is a thumb screw at the top of the mechanism that moves the tire closer to/further away from the handwheel, so I can make the tire make contact with the hand wheel. The lever still doesn't work to move the tire though, no matter where the tire is.

A couple of questions: Is there something other than the thumb screw that I should try first? Is there something really obvious I'm missing? Does the winder mechanism come off? I suspect that part of it is a need for cleaning, but can't get under the hand wheel cover to do it.

Any advice on this would be appreciated!

You may just need a new bobbin winder 'tire.' The wrong size/worn out ring can cause this problem.

It has a new tire on it. The problem is that the whole mechanism doesn't change positions when you use either the lever or the release. I'll fiddle some more with it today. If all else fails, Hubby will be home tonight, and I'll get him to unscrew the screw I think holds the whole shebang on, and go from there.

There are adjustments that can be made... your hubby will know how to fix it...my husband has fixed/adjusted different ones.

Try using some Triflow oil on it. That stuff works wonders.

Make sure the little notch on the bobbin is seated correctly when you are putting the bobbin on and watchout for the cheap imports since the little notches are not cut precisely. I found about half of them will not work on my 15-91. They may be keeping the winder from engaging.