Need help with bobbin winder
 

I am trying to wind bobbins on my Federal sewing machine. When its engaged it does spin. Add a bobbin onto the shaft and it will start winding but the bobbin doesn't turn and the winder does. I am using the metal bobbins that comes with it. Could it be that either the middle of the bobbin is too large for the bobbin winder? The metal bobbins will wind on my newer Singer sewing machine. I don't want to keep switching machines just to wind bobbins. Thank you for your help in advance.

A tiny shm of bue tape might make the difference for you. On the shaft. I wouldn't want to try to put it inside the bobbin..hehe

Can't help you but as you already know it sounds like something isn't engaging properly.

When I was at my mother's taking care of her after surgery I brought along my cheap Brother I picked up at a thrift store and found the bobbin winder didn't work at all. LOL, everything else is fine with it so still fine with the price I paid for it. Not many options where my mom lives but I picked up a portable Simplicity Side Winder at Walmart for around $20 I think it was.

I have some quibbles with it (I would not, for example, use it for a bobbin for my friend's long arm), would probably upgrade to a better one but it solved the problem and for the amount and type of projects I'm working with is just fine. Just shoved it in the case with the machine.

Having a bobbin winder is sort of like back in the days of VHS tapes... While you can do it on your machine, if you have a bobbin winder set up it's rather nice to not have to mess with your thread and it can spoil you.

Did you make sure that the pin on the spindle fits into the slot in the bobbin?

Did you make sure the clasp/lever fits in between the sides of the bobbin and is touching the hub of the bobbin?

Sometimes the pin on the spindle that kind of locks the bobbin is worn. This makes sure the bobbin is being held to the spindle and rotates the same as the winder. Sometimes the bobbin's notch is not deep enough to fit onto the pin.

A couple of threads that discuss 15 class bobbins can be found at I think there is another one that might be better, but I can't find it right now.
https://www.quiltingboard.com/vintag...e-t274639.html
https://www.quiltingboard.com/vintag...s-t228742.html


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

Thank you OurWorkbench. I didn't realize that there was a notch for the bobbin to rest against. That might be my issue.