I’m losing my mind. Literally. Yesterday was not a good day. Hopefully, today will be much better. It all started yesterday with an issue with my bobbin winder. It normally looks like this.
It looks so primitive, like a science project from school.
Here’s a close up. You see that black rubber O ring. That’s really an important part of the bobbin winder.
Now look at this photo.
Notice something missing. The black rubber O ring. Yeah, that’s not a good thing. I can’t wind bobbins without it. Bobbin winder won’t work. Here’s what happened to it. Usually, when I wind 2 or 3 bobbins in a row, the little rubber ring will shoot right off the winder. It gets a little heated from the friction, loosens up and shoots off a 100 miles per hour. Maybe a slight exaggeration, but it really comes off fast. It’s rubber so, it’s like bouncing one of those little gumball machine balls around the house. I mean that little O ring will bounce off the ceiling and shoot into the other room. Luckily, I always find it. It’s very annoying. Well, not yesterday. I looked everywhere!!!! I was in full panic mode and went to the hardware store to see if I could find a replacement. Called A-1 and naturally, they had no idea the exact size I needed or if I could find one. Really?? They offered to send some out, but I like needed it NOW. They gave me the approximate size, which the store didn’t have. Again, naturally. In desperation, I purchased a couple of sizes anyways. Got home…nope too big and too small at the same time. Miraculously, I had a total Mcgyver moment and came up with this.
Worked like a charm!!! I used my hair tie to wrap around first and then put the O ring over it. It wasn’t perfect, but it worked. I have to say I felt like a genius for a second. I lost a ton of time though. BUT later in the day when I went to go wind some more bobbins look at what I saw. Notice anything??
Yep, that’s my missing O ring. It was right there the whole time. It some how ended up landing right on my bobbin winder. I was looking EVERYWHERE for it. Well, not everywhere. LOL! It blended in so well, I just missed it. Yes, I am losing my mind. LOL!!! Scott was literally laughing out loud when I sent him the picture. Look at the size difference between the O rings I bought and what I needed. Gosh, I wanted those 3 hours back I wasted earlier!!! Trust me it was panic filled 3 hours!!
Just when I thought my day wasn’t so bad…my A-1 Annie started making a strange noise. It’s coming from the bobbin area. I have no idea what it is. It’s stitching fine but sounds bad. π I took the area apart, cleaned and oiled…still making the noise. It’s like a whining sound. I will be making phone calls this morning. Hopefully, it’s an easy fix.
Last but not least, Happy Birthday to my little sis Kristin!!! She’s catching up to me! π
Even though, I’m 13 years older, we still have some competitive sibling rivalry. Even when we are playing an innocent game of mini golf! Ha!!
Happy Birthday, Kristin, we love you!
Oh, I hate it when things like that happen and make you lose so much time. Sounds like you better go buy a stockpile of those O rings, just in case. And why does it keep flying off? It shouldn't do that. You'll have to get the McGuyver in you going to figure out how to keep it on. Glad it all worked out for you and hope the fix is an easy solution. Happy birthday to your little sis. Hope you're getting some relaxation time in. I'm off to a legislative breakfast this morning. Should be sort of exciting. We will be talking about some House Bills that are on the floor right now. Keep your fingers crossed. π
Oh my! That's always frustrating!
One year, my husband spent 2 hours trying to "fix" the Christmas tree. He was getting very, very frustrated because he couldn't set the thing up. The pole was loose in the base and he couldn't figure out how to tighten it.
I had been out, and when I got home, I looked at it and told him he was trying to but the "middle" section, instead of the bottom section, in the base. That did. Not. Make. Him. Happy. My goodness. I had to walk away very quickly so I wouldn't laugh!
But that mistake has not happened ever again!
I would buy me some more of those little things right away to have spares, I would also mark them somehow with a bright color to find more easily. Secondly, change out your bobbin. It might not have wound quite right without the right O-ring, and that could be your noise problem. Then just use the not so right wound bobbin to re-wind in on to another one.
Always good to have a Spartan in the family.
Oh what a shame to loose all that valuable time but at least you found it ,I like Ann Marie's idea of marking it so it will show up next time. Happy Birthday to Kristin ,it is my birthday as well:-)
I thought the same as Ann Marie-change out the bobbin wound with your make-do O ring and hair holder–hope that's the problem. Having spare parts on hand is a good idea, I should heed it too.
deep breathes!
Ww, that sounds like my experience! I didn't see the ring in the last picture so I guess I am still lost! Good luck with the noise!
Even tho you were in a panic about the O-ring, your McGuyver moment was just BRILLIANT! Brava! Now you never have to worry about losing the 0-ring again!!!
I am glad you found your O-ring tho…
Happy birthday to your sister!
I did what Scott did. LOL at the o-ring when you did find it. Really sorry you lost all that time. Couple of the gals have a good idea about rewinding with regular o-ring. Hope you have a better day today. Happy Birthday Kristen
You are hilarious!!
HBD to Kristin!
I hate it when things like that happen – someone must be trying to tell us something! I hope your A-1 is a quick fix.
Happy Birthday Kristen!
I so felt your pain in reading your post. I have moments like these all too often:/
So glad you found it though. It's one of life's special memories π
Merry Christmas!
Sue
OMG, what a hoot. Loved that story because something like that has happened to me too. You are not alone. And think of how much you learned! Glad everything turned out. Thanks, McGuyver for sharing your wonderful story. ;o)
That sounds like me – totally, it was a ruler though and I spent 3 hours looking for it, only to find that I had rolled it into the quilt. Don't you just love those moments?
I haven't had my o-ring shoot off like that – that's crazy!
Recently I thought I had lost the little tiny thing that holds the spool of thread down while I'm sewing. I looked for it forever and finally I was sure the dog had eaten it! Later I discovered I had put another spool of thread on top of it while it was on the machine and that had pushed it down into a foam piece under the thread spool……….in other words it was there all along……ugh! I feel your pain! LOL!!
Hi di hi
Oh I can just feel your frustration!! When I got my Nolting I was into about day 5 when I dropped the tension spring screw form the bobbin case. Eek. My dealer wasn't available so I rang Nolting direct – have to mention here I live in New Zealand – and ordered one. I felt like screaming here I am with this great big huge machine and one tiny screw stops all work!!!
2 days later my dealer came to see me about another matter; she did have a spare bobbin on board. No, she couldn't replace the missing screw. I did manage to get our local sewing machine repair guru to find a screw to fit. I have to say I think that a spare bobbin case would be a good thing to receive with a machine. In fact I am amazed that you can buy this huge expensive machine and not really get a tool kit at all! As for those bobbin winders!!! Yes they look like they were made by a 12 year old with a meccano set! I really think these long arm manufacturers need to "sex up" their product a bit. Oh dear bit of a rant but itβs all in sympathy!
Cheers
Linda PS when the screw arrived from Noltings 4 weeks later it was the wrong size!
Taupo
New Zealand
OH, my, that is so crazy but you are pretty smart to figure something else out.
Hope your machine is an easy fix.
Funny picture of your and your sister. Happy Birthday to her.
Oh no, sounds like a nightmare! I'm glad you found it in the end – any chance you can paint it pink so you stand more chance of finding it next time? Or, like others have suggested, buy some more, just in case?! Hope Annie is ok…and happy birthday to your sister!
Sorry but I laughed too when I saw the picture of where the O ring ended up. Glad you found it!!
Also glad to read on MQR that your machine is running well again, yeah!!
Hope the rest of your week is more relaxing!
Very funny story…I've never seen a winder like that before….very interesting.
Wow – you'd think they'd come up with a better design! By all means get some O rings to keep on hand. Clever fix though, girl! I hope she keeps on stitching for you!
Happy Birthday to your sister!
That has to be the most unusual bobbin winder I've ever seen! I'm glad you finally found your O-ring!
Loved that story… what a nuisance. Hope you have cought up.Happy Birthday to your sister π
Happy Birthday to Kristen! I'm sorry I snorted out loud when I read about the O-ring – sometimes it's better to laugh than cry, I guess (wink)! I love your ingenious fix, too!
Happy Holidays!
I loved the o-ring story! Isn't that just the way – how frustrating.
I hope you and your family have a really nice Christmas.
A cautionary tale about having spare parts on hand…. it never fails, I only have one spool of thread when I need two of a certain color or something like that…. now I keep two bobbin cases, an extra tension knob and parts, all that stuff. I think my machine can sense when I am working on a tight deadline – that's when something always goes wrong! But who would think you would need an extra one of those little rubber thingies? I have the same kind of bobbin winder, but mine has never flipped its rubber ring. Funny how a great machine like A-1 makes a bobbin winder that looks like it came from spare parts from 1930's sewing machines!