The crank machine I bought yesterday came with 3. So no problem there. Both machines use the solid pin type of bar bobbin.
But the 110 year old White that we saved from the granary is a different story. The one bobbin that we found for the machine is falling apart. And the shuttle has a pin inside that the bobbin has to slide over. We found several bobbins of this type for sale. But they are well used and not in great shape. The cost was $25 US per bobbin plus shipping.
So DH decided to try his hand at making one. First prototype worked! He dismantled an old Bic pen, cut off the appropriate length of plastic. Using only the plastic where there was no longer any ink of course. (One of the few times I was happy that we are hoarders and never throw out any thing. We have enough pen inserts to make dozens of bobbins.)
After cutting the correct length DH threaded on a small nut on each end. He used a machine screw size #6 nut. Then he tested the bobbin. It worked great, with little messing around.
Here is an example of a bar bobbin for vibrating shuttle and the pen refill we used to make a DIY version:
The new owner of this treadle was thrilled when she tested the prototype bobbin out. She was over yesterday to visit her machine. She's still waiting for a delivery guy to call her back to arrange pick up and delivery. My FIL offered to take it over for her, but she lives across the city. There are a few freeways he'd have to take. At his age he doesn't do freeways well. And we wouldn't put him through that kind of stress.
Hopefully we can get the treadle out soon as I'm finding DH checking it out more and more every day. He's bonding with it. Which can't be good. It's one of the reasons I bought the crank machine. Now he has a machine that needs some TLC, cleaning etc. to play with.
A huge thanks to Deb on hearts2hands quilting group for getting us interested in using the vintage machines!
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