Bobbin Shim for #280/#300 Needles

[AaronStand]

205-370

I found this question in a post from years ago but no definitive answer was provided in the post. I'm running at least a #280/28 needle, potentially a #300/29 if I can confirm compatibility tomorrow, does anyone know where the heck I can find a bobbin shim above the 250 that Weaver supplies? My last resort is picking up two 160's and have them machined down to 1.4mm each to get the 2.8mm spacing I need but I'm hoping someone might know a place that I've yet to run across...?

Any other feedback on running above #250 on the 205? Like any potential issues I may run into? I'm looking at a 415/tex 410 top stitch with a 346/tex 350 lower stitch.

Edited October 14, 2024 by AaronStand

[chisel]

Forgive my ignorance, but what's a bobbin shim?

[AaronStand]

Oh not at all, I'm just learning the anatomy and operation of the 205 myself so I may call some things the technically incorrect term. I've seen some call it the bobbin shim and others say the shuttle/hook shim which I think is more correct. I just watched this video today which shed a lot of information on the operation and setup of the 205. Here's the link, the first portion of the video covers the shim in question.

https://youtu.be/ERgFQjsVG3s?si=K2xKoHWOlGwK4jBb

Weaver Shims

https://www.weaverleathersupply.com/products/replacement-shims-for-205-sewing-machine?srsltid=AfmBOooHswXvUnHtVd4sn5YOmRR4JwzdVTJvkl3OWnVqfHv5sI8DhvPH

Edited October 14, 2024 by AaronStand

[Michiel]

Did you try to combine two smaller shims to get the right size (or a little wider)?

 

[AaronStand]

Well, two of the 160s will give me 3.20mm. I'm just going to shave down a 160 to 120(1.20mm) and combine it with another 160. Seems like no 280 single shims exist.

[Uwe]

It might be simpler to find some material of the right thickness and cut/file it into the right shape. 

You might also be overthinking this.

A simple solution would be to just remove the needle guide for needles above size 250NM.

 

According to the Dürkopp Adler 205-370 parts diagram, they never made a 280 size shim and the 300 shim was discontinued at some point. While they were making the 300 size shim, I’m pretty sure they advised to just use the 300 shim with needles over size NM250. Then they probably decided the guide (and shim) is not needed at all with needles above size 250NM.

When Juki designed the Juki TSC-441, loosely based on and as a competitor to the Adler 205, they simplified things a lot and one of the things they decided to leave out altogether is that needle guide and shim business. Most Juki 441 class machines have been sewing just fine for a long time, without any needle guide and shim.

Nothing truly bad will happen if you run the 205 without the needle guard and shim. Worst case scenario the needle will deflect and bend away from the hook and skip a stitch. If you manage to bend a 300NM size needle enough to skip a stitch, I really want to see what you were sewing. I’m picturing an entire horse saddle dangling off the end of the arm, with a bewildered cowboy still in the saddle. 

I’ve sewn Tex415 size thread using a 250NM needle (with shim&guard) and my Adler 205-370 cooperated quite nicely and made a lovely stitch. I’ve never sewn anything on the 205 that truly required the needle guide to prevent skipped stitches.

 

 

 

 

Edited October 30, 2024 by Uwe

[councilman24]

Replying to an plder thread I read a couple of days ago. Cambell Randall has 300 shims for the 205.

Their online catalog sucks so call them for what you want. I just installed a 300 tonight I got from tbem a few weeks ago.

 

[Cumberland Highpower]

On 1/23/2025 at 2:47 AM, councilman24 said:

Replying to an plder thread I read a couple of days ago. Cambell Randall has 300 shims for the 205.

Their online catalog sucks so call them for what you want. I just installed a 300 tonight I got from tbem a few weeks ago.

 

I don't think you need the deflection guide or the shims if you're using a 300 needle.  A needle that thick would have very little flex.  Adler probably ran out of old shims and discontinued it from lack of demand?  With a needle that large I'd think your feed dog would limit flex for the most part?