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Member since 7/21/09
Posts: 85
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Posted on: 1/20/11 10:33 PM ET
I've searched this topic a bit here at PR and I guess not many here use the 99cent thread from JA. Even so, maybe one of you has a 'fix' for this problem? I was at the JA sale and just bought 4 cones of white thread for a new project. After unwrapping them all, I found out the plastic cone is much wider at the base than maxi lock cones and the cones shifts about on the stand. I think this would mess with the tension, and I used a beige thread instead, but now I want to figure out a way to use these cones. Any idea what I could stuff into the base to hold the cone firmly in place, yet still allow for the thread to spin off?
All ideas much appreciated.
  
Member since 9/18/05
Posts: 179
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Posted on: 1/20/11 10:36 PM ET
I just saw those threads a couple of days ago, although I didn't buy any. Please let me know how well they are - big price difference!

Meanwhile, I saw a contraption made especially to insert into the larger serger threads so they don't bounce around. Maybe in the Clotilde catalog? I know that doesn't help at the moment, but maybe they sell them at Joann's too?
  
Member since 1/17/10
Posts: 1252
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Posted on: 1/21/11 1:21 AM ET
Do you have plastic things that comes with your serger that fit on the thread spindle? They look like a little cone with slits in it and have a hole in them to fit on the spindle. Mine can be turned upside down and put back on the spindle and the larger side is up and accomodates a thread cone with a bigger hole. I saw someone do this once and said OMG, I would never have thought of turning those little things upside down. Works like a charm.
  
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Member since 4/8/07
Posts: 2911
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Posted on: 1/21/11 7:12 AM ET
I also turn my cone holder things upside down. Doing so allows the cones to remain still.

As for the thread, I would advise against buying any more of the unnamed brand. My experience has not been that great with this thread. It produces a lot of lint/fuzz and the plastic has begun to crumble. I can break the cone in half with very little pressure. I've had this thread for about five years but I've had Maxi-Lock thread just as long and have not had these problems.
  
Member since 2/9/04
Posts: 18027
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Posted on: 1/21/11 8:09 AM ET
I'll only buy Maxi-lock and Mettler. I have nothing but trouble with the cheaper serger thread. I had an old cone (as in: I don't remember when I even used it) of Talon, probably bought at WalMart or JoAnn, and it broke every few inches. My Maxi-lock, which was older, performed beautifully.
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iPad's auto-correct is my enema.
  
Member since 3/4/03
Posts: 2634
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Posted on: 1/21/11 8:37 AM ET
I have some zipperstop huge industrial cones that are too wide to all fit on the serger -I think this is what you are saying is also the problem for your spools. When doing a 3 thread stitch I put one cone on a thread stand behind the serger so I can have space between them. The factory cones that are really big work fine just are too wide to all sit together in line. If you are sewing under a cabinet or shelf you can put a tiny screw eye there to run the thread through before threading the serger as usual if you don't have a thread stand. You could first put the thread on a sewing machine spindle before running through the screw eye. I used to do this years ago when I didn't have a serger or a thread stand so I could use factory cones which were plentiful in our area at the time with all the garment factories. I have also seen people rig coat hangers that didn't have a stand but don't remember much about how they did it.
  
Member since 3/4/03
Posts: 2634
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Posted on: 1/21/11 8:46 AM ET
I just reread what you posted and now understand what you were asking. I don't see why you couldn't wrap something around the thread insert things to make them larger to stop the wobbling. I have not seen these particular spools but have never had one that either flipping the little insert didn't resolve that issue as someone mentioned. Sorry I misunderstood what you asked.
  
Member since 6/14/06
Posts: 557
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Posted on: 1/21/11 11:00 AM ET
Did you try using them as-is? Maybe the wobbling won't be a problem for the machine, although it could drive you nuts!
  
Member since 4/8/02
Posts: 2683
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Posted on: 1/21/11 11:05 AM ET
SewTrue.com has the real thread (Mettzler?) on sale for 2.00 a cone. I use it for all sewing on my reg. machine, too. I have a special stand that allows the thread to unroll from the top of the cone, rather than having the machine struggle to turn the dumb cone to unwind the thread.
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JanieV
  
Member since 1/17/10
Posts: 1252
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Posted on: 1/21/11 12:50 PM ET
I use any thread I can get my hands on and have never had trouble on my Pfaff machines. I would try it before I limit myself to only a certain brand. I clean my machines every time I open the door to the innards. That little "blush" brush works great. I have sewn professionally for 20 plus years and only stay away from threads that break when I try to snap them.
  
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