My Kenmore sewing machine is about 50 years old. It sews and works fine, however the bobbin winder does not wind. I am able to release the knob so needle does not work, but winder does not wind. Since we are quarantined, I am not able to go to repair shop.
Make sure you are trying to use the correct bobbin for the machine. After turning the wheel knob to disengage the needle so you can fill the bobbin, make sure the part that rides against the bobbin while winding is actually touching the center part of the bobbin where the thread would fill. If it doesn't go in between the two sides of the bobbin, then you have the wrong bobbin. If it fits down inside, do you have to hold that lever in to touch? If you do, then the spring mechanism that normally holds the lever over to fill the bobbin needs adjusting or replacing. First thing you should do is to open up your machine and give it a good cleaning and oiling. Consult your owners manual on this. Sometimes, years of thread, lint and dust can make things NOT work correctly. If the above doesn't help, I think your only solution is a repair person. Good luck and post back here.
I also have a Kenmore, I got used, in 1976...so 44 years of use so far. I just took the top off my machine to look at the winding mechanism. When you push the winder lever into the bobbin, a black rubber wheel at the bottom of the shaft that holds the bobbin for winding, pushes up against the grooved inside of the wheel that you undo to wind bobbins. If that rubber wheel is cracked or broken off, it isn't making contact with the grooved face that makes it turn to wind bobbins.
How funny! I just had my old Kenmore out Sunday to make hubby a new face mask for work (who ever thought I would be uttering those words in public)...anyhow, I had the same issue. My workhorse machine is from 1972 I think, somewhere in there and it was a combo of things.
The pin for the thread was loose and therefore it would not spin to load the bobbin. So I tightened that, then I tried again, still no go.
Then it was pulling at the thread, but not still not loading.
I looked and the thread had started to dry rot and was kind of clumping to the spool, so I took out a newer spool and then it worked.
There are a ton of YoutTubes for the Kenmore's to troubleshoot and fix just about every situation. Maybe if this doesn't help, you can find a video to DIY fix.
I am keeping my 30 year old vacuum going with YouTube fixes! I am so proud when I can do that!!
Post back with an update!
My bobbin mechanism is not turning. I checked the wheel, all is good it just won't turn my bobbin mechanism.
You might have a thread or fabric jam. You could also have a broken gear.
What do you do when the bobbin winder does not work?
By Patsy P. from Lexington, NC
If you're sure you've set the machine bobbin winding function to the correct setting for bobbin winding and the machine is still not winding, it's time for a visit to the qualified repair tech.
Sounds as though the bobbin gear has worn out - this happens as machines age, The bobbin gears of today, no matter who manufactures the machine, are made with rubber/plastic/silicone 'teeth' and over time these teeth wear down.
This is NOT a fix you can do at home - please don't try as you will only cause the repair tech to charge you more for replacing your gear and putting your machine back together after you've tried to do a home repair job.
We have a Toyota 9600 sewing machine we have recently purchased. We have an issue with the winding the bobbin. When the bobbin switch is to the left position the needle goes up and down and the machine is clearly working. When the bobbin switch is in the right position so it winds the thread, the machine goes maybe half a turn and then jams (stops spinning). Any advise you could give would be appreciated
Here is a Toyota sewing machine blog which answers many questions: www.blog.home-sewing.com/
If you just bought the machine new, go back to the store. You are entitled to some training/lessons as part of the purchase price.
I have a Singer Traditional model. I put a bobbin on the bobbin rod, then went to take it off and the bobbin and rod came out of the machine. I took the bobbin off the rod. It was a bit tight and then put a new bobbin on, but the bobbin rod seems loose and won't spin when the foot pedal is pushed down (won't wind on or off). How can I fix it?
By Lilli
You can't fix this at home - this is a job for a professional repair tech. The pro will have the tools and parts to do the repair and then reassemble your machine correctly.
What has happened is one of two things - either the bobbin winding spool has broken where it was soldered to the top of the gear that turns it, or the entire gear has 'died'.
Really, this isn't a machine killer - you have two choices. One would be to splash out around $60USD (Google for currency conversion if not in the US) to have the machine repaired. Be sure to ask what the extra charge would be for a 'servicing' as this includes cleaning, checking timing and other functions, and can add years to the life of your machine.
OR...
Splash out around $25USD for a bobbin winder machine (Simplicity makes a really good one).
The part that turns the bobbin winder isn't integral to the sewing function (unless the rod broke off while the machine was still in bobbin winding mode) - if not broken off in bobbin winding mode you can still sew and if that's the case, the peripheral winding machine is the least expensive solution to your problem. You can go years without the bobbin winding function operable as long as your machine is kept in good order by regular maintenance (see your machine model operating guide).
The bobbin on my Kenmore sewing machine won't wind on the machine. The motor works, but the bobbin will not turn. I have to wind my bobbin by hand.
Everything else works fine on the machine. Is this something I can fix or do I have to take my machine to a repair shop?On the right side of the machine there is a wheel. There is a smaller wheel in the center. When you want to wind the bobbin you have to turn the large wheel away from you and the small wheel towards you.
but mine is only one wheel which I think does the job other models take two wheels to do but how do I do that with 1 wheel turned away what do I turn towards me? Mine does pull out though
