ROTARY SERIES #5: Replacing a Bobbin Winder Tire & Why They Are a Such a Big Deal!!

When a vintage sewing machine (the White Rotary 77 in this case) has the rare "hiccup" and does not function as you might expect, it can often be something incredibly simple. The Bobbin Winder Tire is most often easy to access and replace and the costs of replacement are negligible. Here, I show a quick and easy way to check to see if yours is still sound and optimal even if it "looks" ok.

[@jojosewist8921]

Thank you for removing and replacing the bobbin tire. Now I can change the tire on my Kenmore 158.1941.2, even though system is different the bobbin shaft looks the same. My very talented, jack of all trades hubby told me " it probably just rolls off and on"; but I wanted the confirmation this video provided. I watch your videos just for fun about machines I don't even have and always read the comments. There can be a lot of useful info and answers to questions.. I like the sew classic (heard may have closed shop?) and sewing machine 221 bizland sites for parts and accessories. If you see a vintage part you may need, buy it now, bizland may not have it tomorrow. Keep posting videos, please.

[@4cysmith]

Video and bought myself a new tire and invited my son over to take off the old tire, and wound the dang bobbin. Thanks for empowering me to fix my own problem!

[@4cysmith]

(Watched your video) now can you help me to tame the spell checker? Lol

[@VintageSewingMachineGarage]

That's awesome Cynthia. So glad to hear yours is back up and running.

[@jenniewren9351]

Thanks for another informative video.

[@PKEDRM]

Thank you for your videos! I now own 7 sewing machines, 2 of which are vintage/antique. I have a Dexter treadle and a White Rotary that was electric but I am in process of converting it to a treadle as well. The Dexter is a brand I have never seen but it has features similar to an older Singer 15 with the tensioner and thread take up lever on the face plate. My hubby gifted her to me not realizing how impossible it is to find any information on it. It had a very rusty bobbin case and no bobbin and the needle was jammed into the rusty needle clamp "kattywampus". I wanted a project machine and now I have 2. So, with the Decker I cleaned the bobbin case (took off the tension spring to do a good job) of rust and, on a fluke, grabbed a loaded metal bobbin from my Bernina 930 Record and it fit! I cleaned the upper tensioner but couldn't get a consistent good stitch. I ordered a bobbin case and bobbins sold for the Bernina, started fresh, and I am finally getting 99% consistently good stitches now. I took the bobbin winder completely off the head (one bolt), cleaned, oiled, put on a rubber tire, attached the unit, and freed up all the screws until I found the one that adjusted that positioned the winder to meet the hand wheel. I even removed the handwheel, lock nut, clutch/washer and cleaned/oiled/replaced all correctly so I could disengage the needle bar to wind a bobbin. (KZbinU rocks!) I went to wind a bobbin and...the diameter of the core is too small to fit on the winder shaft🤬⁉️ Now what? I can always just wind my bobbins on the Bernina because they don't fit on my Baby Locks' winders either (I have 2 of them) but I really want this machine to function as intended. Would the machine even stitch well of I am using the wrong bobbin and bobbin case? Could the bobbin winder have been taken from another machine making it a FrankenDecker? I have searched until I am blue in the face and can't find any useful information on this machine. H.E.L.P. please.

[@VintageSewingMachineGarage]

Not sure what is wrong as I cannot see the machine. The machine has to have a compatible bobbin and bobbin case in order to function. You 'Should' be able to sew with it even if the bobbin winder does not work. Some sewers purchase bobbin winder devices that are stand alone so they dont have to use the machine's winder. (Setup is a bit quicker).

[@4cysmith]

Thanks for all the info.

[@deannesherriff3247]

Hi, just been looking to solve my bobbin winder problem (slow winding) and watching this, I realise my bobbin tyre has perished. Easy to solve, thank goodness.

[@PKEDRM]

The Sewing Machine Repair Guy has an Etsy store that sells colored bobbin tires and matching spool pin felts if you want to dress your machine up a bit. Good quality and fast, free shipping - at least in the USA. Not sure about other countries. I am impressed with his customer service.

[@luckycharm1668]

Could you please share how to correct if the bobbin tire is not touching the handwheel? So I am not able to wind the bobbin. Thank you.

[@tammiemiles9075]

Thanks for the video, I have a White 675 Sewing machine (called the Green Machine). My bobbin winder tire melted on the belt winder wheel. Okay I was told that the tire for the winder wheel should be Bobbin Winder Tire Friction Wheel - 1 1/8" outer dia. x 9/16" inner dia. x 1/4" thickness. Well when that one was put on and my bobbin wheel also moves when the clutch is engaged and the needle moving. this should not happen. HELP, HELP -- is there such thing as a 1 1/16 outer dia. x 9/16" inner dia. x 1/4" thickness? or what is the smallest outside diameter that can be used on the is machine that will work when I sew and it appears that the bobbin winder tire moves and should not move. Thanks

[@VintageSewingMachineGarage]

I can think of 2 things to try. A smaller winder tire or adjusting the spring on the bobbin winder mechanism. There is a spring on most machines that has an adjustment screw that will allow the winder to be moved closer or further from the hand wheel so that when you disengage the winder, the tire wont spin when you are ready for sewing.

[@superbotrampage2484]

Thank you for your informative videos.What size tire did you install? My White model 77 also needs one.

[@VintageSewingMachineGarage]

I believe I used the medium sized tire.

[@Paypaylake]

Such a great video series on the white rotary! 😊 I just purchased a version of this machine and I didn't realize I'd need to replace the bobbin winder until watching this. My rubber cracked off completely like a hard rock. Do you have a suggestion if the winder rubber didn't match up to the hand wheel evenly? It sets closer inside than directly in line with the handle wheel.

[@VintageSewingMachineGarage]

As long as it touches the hand wheel without obstructing anything and it will engage and spin, it 'should' function. If it creates any issues, try finding one that is exactly the same size as the original. This site sells lots of Rotary machine parts and I think they carry bobbin winder tires. sewingmachine221sale.bizland.com/store/page44.html

[@Paypaylake]

Thanks for your reply! I can't believe I missed it a few weeks ago!😁 I'll have to check out the site.

[@sharkbyte2681]

My bobbin tire wheel was very stiff I oiled it and finally worked it free but still seems stiff when I turn it. Is there any way to take it out of the bracket to clean it out and try and get it spinning freely on a Sears Kenmore 148 12011 Thank you

[@ronaldconard7845]

where does the bobbin thread go after you filled it and replaced bobbin in machine?

[@abelincoln95]

Do you know why there was the "Blue-green" color was on the old bobbin tires? My Precision Deluxe had one, but the first time I used it there was immediate "denigration"!!!! I had to replace it with the black rubber tire.

[@VintageSewingMachineGarage]

Hello Abe. Traditionally, bobbin winder tires were black. By the 1950's with lighter colors in fashion, even Singer would offer white bobbin tires and white motor belts on machines such as the 185 along with beige tires on their Slant-O-Matic Series. Many of the Japanese manufacturers would offer bright colors on their machines to get consumer's attention and they often had color coordinated bobbin tires. Everything I have seen in reproduction today is in black, but there may be other colors out there. The great thing is that we can get new reproductions and they are quite low in price.

[@cissyfoster3417]

I recently acquired a Singer treadle machine,class 66 made in 1917, without a bobbin tire or needle.....found both of them for sale, but I'm not sure what size I should get....my machine did not come with a manual, but I have found one online and downloaded it, but it does not say what size bobbin tire, but I did figure out the needle size......could you possibly help me with the bobbin tire size? Thank-you .

[@VintageSewingMachineGarage]

The 66 models use standard home sewing needles and can take a variety of sizes. For the bobbin tire, I get mine here: shop.sew-classic.com/Bobbin-Winder-Parts-Rings-Tires_c16.htm I would email the merchant and ask them which one would fit your 66. The 66 was in production for over a half century. Most of the parts interchange, but there could have been changes since the style of bobbin winder was updated over time. They should have one that will fit your 66 and its a very low cost part.

[@labrat8876]

Where can I get a bobbin tire for my domestic rotary 153?

[@VintageSewingMachineGarage]

sewingmachine221sale.bizland.com/store/page44.html Be sure and verify which of this site's tire will specifically fit yours but they have a very good selection of parts for these Rotary style machines.

[@Bp4160]

Adónde vendes el neumático de la máquina de coser?

[@jackbendickson7487]

can you do the same repairs on a white domestic rotary 153 series

[@VintageSewingMachineGarage]

Hello Jack. Many (though not 100 %) of the procedures I did for my 77 Rotary should apply to the 153 Series. But yes, I would love to do some videos should I come across one of those 153 models.

[@BuySellColoradoHomes]

Since I have this exact same machine it would be greatly appreciated to tell where you get this specific tire. I would think the numbers written on the tire identify it. Maybe if that were shared and then an internet link to the site I could really get the parts needed rather than trying several and they not fit. Sadly no local place that I have found carries these things so that I can try them in person.

[@VintageSewingMachineGarage]

sewingmachine221sale.bizland.com/store/page44.html Be sure and verify which of this site's tire will specifically fit yours but they have a very good selection of parts for these Rotary style machine

[@BuySellColoradoHomes]

@@VintageSewingMachineGarage Thanks I need to measure it well and get the closest. Hopefully it will be the right one but I did see you size a couple so that me concerned. Wish there was a local store here in Denver.

[@VintageSewingMachineGarage]

@@BuySellColoradoHomes Yes, there were a few different sizes. Try emailing the site owner. It's a small business and he may be able to tell you which one to purchase based on your model.

[@Poodlezilla]

I know on my car doors, where I have rubber, I conditioned them in order to keep them from cracking. It’s something you do with vehicles. I know that if I put it on the area that needs to have friction that it would ruin the purpose of a Bobbin tire; however, I was wondering if there is something I should do with the rubber parts on my machine to enhance their lifespan.

[@VintageSewingMachineGarage]

Hello and yes, I am aware of those products. The automotive market offers those because many car materials made of plastic and rubber are exposed to sunlight and can degrade fast. However, for items such as bobbin tires, friction pulleys, and power cords, and any other soft parts of a sewing machine, I would not apply any of those substances since they can, as you said, interfere with the friction they are providing. These items can last a very long time and the primary thing you can do to maximize their useful work life is to keep them clean and avoid getting oil or grease on them as that can cause them to break down faster than they would otherwise. The good news is that they are readily available when you do need replacements and those for Heirloom Vintage machines are very reasonably priced.

[@demiavila5700]

where can I get a bobbin for this machine?

[@VintageSewingMachineGarage]

You can get vintage versions or new versions (I much prefer vintage) at places like Ebay, Etsy, or Bonanza.

[@mikekay8328]

Great video! Do you have a Instagram page by chance?

[@VintageSewingMachineGarage]

Thank you Mike. Not currently no. My work here is a hobby, but is not my full time work. But I am thinking about other options so thanks for the question.

[@mikekay8328]

@@VintageSewingMachineGarage Instagram is pretty addictive. There is a great sewing machine community on it. Alot of nice people with neat machines.