Ceramic bobbin problems

[toddsbernina]

I thought i would try and be cool and buy a ceramic bobbin and after tying with it for a few weeks i have retired it to my desk drawer. I like the tension on it but the darn thing shreads my thread. I read that ceramic bobbins don't snag so whats up with mine?

[bhudda]

look for any nicks by the hole and i heard not to use kevlar cuz it can start to wear the ceramic tube end.

[cabezon]

Assuming that you've tried several spools of thread and encountered the same problem, I would return the bobbin to whomever you purchased it (if possible). Even if you found a burr near the opening, I don't think that there is anything that you can do to remove it from a ceramic bobbin. With a metal bobbin, one might try to file/smooth the burr down (probably not worth the trouble in reality). I've have ceramic bobbins for almost 20 years of steady tying without problems. Sounds like a manufacturing defect. It is strange that it did not appear until you had been using it for several weeks.

Steve

[Zen Piscator]

You said you like the tension on it. Is it possible that the pressure on the spool is too tight? I mean, have you tried loosing the spool holder by bending it out. Sometimes you notice shredding of the thread when there is too much tension.

[Kent Lufkin]

I've had metal bobbins with a rough spot on the tip and they'll cut the thread the moment I put pressure on it, NOT after the fly's half tied. Your problem may not have anything to do with the ceramic tube but too much pressure on the thread, especially if the thread breaks well into the tying process.

K

[toddsbernina]

I've got metal bobbins that put alot more resistance on the spool of thread and don't break or shread the thread. I'm thinking its a burr or nick in the ceramic because I've broken thread in the ceramic then put the same spool in a metal bobbin that holds the spool tighter and had no problems.

[Anil]

As someone mentioned before, it sounds like you got unlucky and have a defective bobbin. You should return it if possible.
The main advantage to a ceramic bobbin is that they are smoother and more durable that steel. Obviously your bobbin isn’t performing like it should. If the replacement causes the same problems, you are either very unlucky or something else is wrong.
Anil

[Don Stracener]

I agree return the bobbin.

I got a bad one last April, gave them a call and got another two days later. Mine was cutting thread.

I guess there's no way to fix them?

[TheShadKing]

It is strange that it did not appear until you had been using it for several weeks.

I couldn't discern whether or not the problem appeared immediately or later. If it was later, then it's possible that you chipped the tube, dropping it or something along those lines. It's unlikely, but it happens. :beathead:

I have had problems with ceramic bobbins (well one problem with one ceramic bobbin, of the three or four I have) shredding thread. The fly shop I bought it from is happy to replace it :thumb: but I haven't decided that it's worth replacing yet. It definitely shreds thread, but it may be I have one or two bum spools of thread ... we're talking 10/12 thread here, so that's equally likely. It's an infrequent rather than frequent event.

I think there are two possible defects with ceramic bobbins: a chip, which is detectable with the q-tip test, and a lump or other uneveness in the manufacturing process. I don't think the second one is detectable with the q-tip test; on the other hand, it may only be possible in my mind. :rofl:

Anyway, it sounds like it was doing it from the start ... take it back ... any bobbin that shreds thread is defective.


Rolland