Side Winder Question

To Everyone who took the time to leave a message for me about my side-winder issue, I send a very grateful and heartfelt thankyou. I had been thinking of getting one for a long time and when I finally did buy one and found it winding beautifully and then it stopped half way I was a bit disappointed.
I have enough information now to go and see if holding down the button works - otherwise I'll be heading back to the shop this morning to return it.
Before then, I will also get onto the main centre by internet and explain the issue and see what they have to say.
Alma.

Well,
I thread as you would normally thru the sidewinder
but then I tension it with my hand as it feeds off
the cone to get tighter filled bobbins.
Also, I push the little bar away from the bobbin and
fill it to the brim. I have no problems

2 comments

by bumblebee 11 Nov 2011

But doing it this way I also have to move
the thread for an even fill. I'm so used to doing this that I don't even think about it.

by almag 11 Nov 2011

Thanks for that help. I have to move the thread up and down on my big Designer II also.
Alma.

Hubby bought a pink one for me and I find it a waste of time, I am much quicker winding on the machines.
Hugs, Meg

1 comment

by almag 11 Nov 2011

Hi Meganne - I can't fit the empty pre-wound bobbins on my big HVDII. They stitch well, though, and I thought I'd fill the used pre-wound bobbins with bobbin thread from a large spool.
Alma.

I suppose it does that because unlike our sewing machine winders there is no way to adjust the little bar that stops the bobbin when it is so full. I simply pres the button and let it continue to fill. I wind from the 5000 yard spools so take the extra step to put the thread through the loop of the top latch before threadingg the thread through the guide. This seems to get a smoother wind .

1 comment

by almag 11 Nov 2011

Thank you for the information. If the side winder worked I had intended filling several empty pre-wound bobbins with the same 5000 yard thread that I'm using in a FSL table runner.
AlmaG.

I do the same as the others - hold the button down to fill it all the way. I think it depends on the size of the bobbin how full it winds without holding down the button. Love mine.

1 comment

by almag 11 Nov 2011

Thank you. I had wondered about that size issue, and also if the length of thread was measured in some way, bobbin thread being finer than others it would wind more thread on a bobbin.
Alma.

Hi Alma: Mine also fills half-way, I hold the button down to fill it completely. But you know, it works great for all my sewing machines, but my embroidery machine does not like it, I guess it doesn't wind tight enough for embroiderying. Good luck to you, & ***'s for all! Tammy

2 comments

by mjjust2ofus 11 Nov 2011

I have the same problem about the bobbins not winding tight enough for my embroidery machine but love it for all the others!

by almag 11 Nov 2011

Oh, here's another issue I might encounter. I'm going to unpack the side-winder and try holding down the green button. If it works I'll probably keep the little machine.
Thank you to both of you for your input.
Alma.

I use mine for all my different bobbins, I just hold down the button until they are filled. and that works for me.

1 comment

by almag 11 Nov 2011

Thank you for your input. It looks as though this will be the key to filling the bobbins and one that I'm going to try.
Alma.

Alma, Didn't put in my two penneth worth as I don't own nor have ever used one. Good Luck.

1 comment

by almag 11 Nov 2011

Hi Lyn - I missed out on the very last one at the Spotlight Christmas Night on Thursday night and managed to find the very last one in Lincraft yesterday, pricier, of course.
I won a $50 voucher from Spotlight by winning the Spring Quilt Block Competition recently and was going to use it on a side winder.
Alma.

Mine fill completely; use the advice icana has given to help.
Hugs,
Jacqueline

1 comment

by almag 11 Nov 2011

Thank you for your input. One question ... does your side winder fill the bobbins completely without the need to hold down the green button?
I still have it at the back of my mind that I might have a faulty machine.
Alma.

hold down the green button and it will continue to fill until you release it

1 comment

by almag 11 Nov 2011

Thank you - I'll go try this trick.
Alma.

I use mine often and it winds full bobbins. I know when I had the Viking Designer I it was useless because it would not wind the L size bobbins. Works great for my Janome. Hugs, Mary

1 comment

by almag 11 Nov 2011

Yes, it won't wind the Husqvarna bobbins but it works well re-filling used pre-wound bobbins, but the half-full issue is annoying.
Alma.

I picked up the pink side winder and it winds the bobbin fully not half full so maybe something is wrong with yours.

1 comment

by almag 11 Nov 2011

Thank you so much for that information. My side winder is a pink limited edition, too, and I'll return it tomorrow and tell the ladies at the shop. Maybe they can get it replaced for me.

AlmaG.