In Case You Didn't Know...

[GerryR]

I was curious to know how much thread the bobbins from the Chinese Patcher sewing machine held and had some spare items and built a bobbin winder with a digital line counter on it.  The line counter is a Rapala fishing line counter used for loading reels and for keeping track of line-out when depth fishing.  Well, the bobbins hold about 25 ft. of #69 thread, 20 ft. of #92 thread, and 16 ft. of #138 thread.  You probably could have gone all day without knowing that information. 

[DieselTech]

Nice work on the thread winder. It looks industrial for sure!

[dikman]

 Thanks for that, I've been lying awake nights wondering how much they hold! 

Nice job on the winder, though, you might as well tell us how you made it.

[GerryR]

30 minutes ago, dikman said:

 Thanks for that, I've been lying awake nights wondering how much they hold! 

Nice job on the winder, though, you might as well tell us how you made it.

Really nothing special.  I had a standard sewing machine motor with a 2:1 reducer that I had made for another project and didn't end up using.  I had the spool stand and just purchased the tensioner (about $6.00).  Also, I had the Rapala line counter.  So, all I had to do was make the base (glued together pieces from some tomato stakes) and screw everything onto it.  I had the footpedal from an old Juki blind hemmer and use it as a hand-operated speed control, also attached to the base.  I was just curious about the amount of thread the bobbins held and had some extra time on my hands.  I haven't tried it with other machine bobbins but will eventually.  I did, however, wind 10 of the patcher bobbins with different weight threads in very little time.  A good unit to have. 

[greygeist3191]

I liked mine. After I tuned it up, it worked great, the only problem being the bobbin size.  

Just guessing, I'd say it holds 11 to 12 of 207 thread. Just enough to run out on a long belt