Do you use a plastic or metal bobbin in your machine and why.

As far as I know all new machines have plastic bobbins. Metal ones are probably too heavy for the delicate mechanism. Just realized that I am not sure if you are talking about sewing machines or embroidery machines.

1 comment

by blueeyedblonde 01 Feb 2016

This is the sewing/embroidery machine.

Hi Linda, I always use plastic bobbins and have never had any trouble, especially with the newer embroidery machines. My old Husqvarna from over 30 years ago use metal! Love Chris

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by blueeyedblonde 01 Feb 2016

Thanks for replying.

My Dealer told me to use plastic bobbins. Use plastic & save yourself the $$$ it would cost you to repair your machine.
Happy Stitching!!!

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by blueeyedblonde 01 Feb 2016

He didn't say not to use the metal at all just to only use them for a project that it helps give the desired effect. Only testing to see if it does].

My dealer told me to use plastic because metal and computer don't get along very well ..

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by blueeyedblonde 31 Jan 2016

I don't understand that as all my machines are metal with plastic outercovering.
The reason my dealer (who is also the repairman) said I should use plastic (not that I can't use the metal on occassion) is because under the bobbin case the holder has a metal ring that acts like a magnet and slows the bobbin down so as to tighten the tension.

With my newer machines I only use the metal bobbins that go with that machine. The metal bobbins that have cross hatching are easier for me to wind. Sometimes when I use the plastic bobbins on my older machines, and when the thread gets very low, the bobbin loses its grip on the thread which has caused me problems.

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by blueeyedblonde 31 Jan 2016

Thanks for replying.

Both of my Brothers came with plastic bobbins. I use plastic prewounds unless I want a matching color. I have never had a bobbin break, either with these machines or any machine that I have used during 60+ years of sewing.

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by blueeyedblonde 31 Jan 2016

You were luckier than me. I've been sewing for approx. 60 years; and I have had a few break on me - lol.

my current machines both have plastic, but a former one which I purchased back in 1983 used the metal ones. Is it a case of when the machines were made, as all old ones [vintage and antique] had metal.

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by blueeyedblonde 31 Jan 2016

Bothmy last two machines came with plastic ones but I already had lots of metal oes so used them with no problem. It's just that the rep/repairman mentioned things aabout them., so was curious as to what everyone else used.

I did not think bobbins were interchangeable at all, i only use what comes with the particular machine sewing or embroidery, in my machines at present of which i have a few they are all plastic bobbins, I have never had an issue in 54 years i have been sewing. In my school days they were metal bobbins, have kept a few don't know what for, in my teenage years a Singer sewing machine i had ,the bobbins were plastic with a metal pin in the middle for an automatic thread winder in the machine. Never had a broken bobbin at all, my Mother was a dress maker and I cannot ever remember having on either. Sandra.

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by blueeyedblonde 31 Jan 2016

I've not had a problem using either in my machines.

oh! my, I must really be behind as I did not know any new machines came with plastic bobbins. I am aware the pre wound bobbins come in plastic and cardboard siding as I have used both for a long time. Yes, I have had the plastic ones break. Usually it happens when I try to remove the bobbin from the case and the whole side breaks off. Kay

I have all Janome machines and was told to only use plastic bobbins as the metal ones can interfere with the computer in them

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by brendalea 31 Jan 2016

I was told the same thing. Happy Stitching!!!1

As does mops, I use pre-wound plastic bobbins in my Ruby. However, these cannot be rewound on my machine. I have never had a broken bobbin.

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by blueeyedblonde 31 Jan 2016

Thanks for our input.

I use plastic in my Ruby as that are the only ones that fit the bobbin case. My older Husqvarner Linea used metal and plastic bobbins.
My 4-needle came with only 4 metal bobbins, but the dealer gave me 2 gross of cardboard sided pre-wounds plus a box of plastic pre-wounds. All of those work perfectly.
My brother 190D came with plastic ones.

2 comments

by mops 30 Jan 2016

And my 1963 Elna uses metal ones.

by blueeyedblonde 31 Jan 2016

I don't remember what came with my first Janome over 30 years ago, but I ussed metal bobbins and a few plastic ones that I had.
They also fit and worked with no problem in my new Janome (11000 SE) and I had just automatically used them and never thought anything about it.until he mentioned it.

I would love to see the scientific research done to verify what this dealer has told you. But, you should use the type and class that came with your machine [I am speaking for the highly technical electronic and computerized machines of today] In the old mechanical ones I don't think there is a problem as long as it is in the class of bobbins appropriate for the machine. I have a Kenmore that I've had since the 1980's. At the time it was the Kenmore Elite and high cost one. I can use both plastic and metal with no problem---I always test to make sure my needle does not hit it or that it makes unfriendly noises--also making sure my tension through the guides are good. I maintain it myself with thorough cleanings and oiling. I do most all my major sewing and piecing with this machine as well as some decorative stitching. Most importantly--today these machines cost what it cost to buy a new car, so in saying this, stick with what your manual tells you to buy.

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by blueeyedblonde 31 Jan 2016

When I had been there getting a part replaced, when we were picking it up he happened to mention this to me. He is the dealer and the repairman. He showed me a metal ring from under the bobbin holder and said the reason was that this ring is magnitized so that's why the tension would e tighter. Also, that there probably would be times I would want that, but to test and see how it turns out for the result I want.

I use plastic as that is what came with my BabyLock...but my old Brother machine uses metal bobbins...I am not sure that metal are interchangeable with plastic...safer to use what came with the machine...

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by blueeyedblonde 31 Jan 2016

Plastic came with both my Janome and Babylock embroidery machines, but I had metal ones rom my old Janome and have had no problems using either.
But I had bought of some the pretty pink Janome bobbins to put other types of thread like cotton, so they are color coded.

I have never owned an embroidery machine that came with a metal bobbin

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by blueeyedblonde 31 Jan 2016

Mine came with plastic ones but I do have a lot of metal ones, so that is what I used.

I always use plastic.That is what came with my machines and I did not know I had a choice. Hugs, Barba

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by blueeyedblonde 31 Jan 2016

I've had metal ones for years and am trying to switch now.

Always used plastic. Never had a problem.

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by blueeyedblonde 31 Jan 2016

That's good.

I use plastic also. I have never had a problem with them.

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by blueeyedblonde 31 Jan 2016

The only problem I've had is having a chunk break off on an end and then it's hard to transfer the thread to another bobbin.

I had never heard that reason for using metal or plastic as a choice. I think the plastic are quieter. May just be my imagination! Hugs. Nan W

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by blueeyedblonde 31 Jan 2016

I don't find a difference in how quiet they are - seem the same to me. But then that could be because I am concentrating on what I'm doing - lol.

Plastic. I do not think I can get metal ones for my Baby Lock

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by blueeyedblonde 31 Jan 2016

I have lots of the metal ones that I've had for my Janome. I can get them at WalMart.

I use metal with phaff sewing machine, I like them better then the plastic I use plastic in baby lock embroidery machine, that's what came with it. I do not think they have metal.

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by blueeyedblonde 31 Jan 2016

The metalones I have works in both my Janome and the Babylock. The Janome that I've had for over 30 years I've always used the metal ones in it, but it did come with plastic ones.

I use plastic. As Smokey12 says, what comes with the machine is a good guide.

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by blueeyedblonde 31 Jan 2016

True.

I use a metal and plastic in my old Elna because it came with a metal bobbin. As I run out metal ones, I use plastic. My Baby Lock and Bother both came with plastic and that is all I can find to buy, so they just get plastic. My quilting machine only has the big metal bobbins for it. So, I guess I use what came with the machine.

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by blueeyedblonde 31 Jan 2016

Thanks.
They used to come with metal and I thinki they all changed to the plastic.