problems with bobbin winder.

[radiochu]

I suspect half the problem is that I have a really cheap machine... yes, I have a Singer Simple 2263, but to be quite honest I actually like it a lot and it hasn't given me any crap up until now.

the bobbin winder is at the top, and in theory you slide it over and it disengages the needle. mine is not disengaging the needle anymore, making it basically impossible to actually wind a bobbin. a few nights ago I was able to slide it back and forth a few times and eventually it worked properly, but now I'm out of bobbin thread again and no matter how many times I slide it, nor how firmly, it will not work. very frustrating, because I just finished cutting out the awesomest hat ever.

what is the most likely problem here? and is it something I could take a stab at myself, or am I going to have to take it in to a shop? any advice much appreciated.

[anaximander]

On my old huskystar, at least (and all my mom's various kenmore / singer machines), you had to pull out the turnwheel in order to disengage the needle, then slide the bobbin winder over in order to engage that gear. I assume you've already checked to make sure that isn't the case, but it might help someone who comes after

[radiochu]

On my old huskystar, at least (and all my mom's various kenmore / singer machines), you had to pull out the turnwheel in order to disengage the needle, then slide the bobbin winder over in order to engage that gear. I assume you've already checked to make sure that isn't the case, but it might help someone who comes after

this model disengages the needle automatically when you slide the winder into position. I did check the manual just to make sure I wasn't daft, but since it worked so many times before doing it this way, I'm pretty sure there's no other step. and the bobbin winder does run, just... the needle keeps moving, which I'm pretty sure is not supposed to happen, since the manual clearly says the needle will not move and the handwheel will not turn when you're winding.

my main concern was that I would snap off the needle while trying to wind... there doesn't seem to be any other detriment to winding a bobbin with the needle moving. I took the needle out and it wound a bobbin just fine. if I just keep doing that, will it kill my machine eventually? I mean, it works fine, and after I put the needle back in, everything was hunky dory. I just want to be sure that winding a bobbin with the needle part still engaged (just without the needle in) isn't going to hurt anything.

[Sew-Classic]

I took the needle out and it wound a bobbin just fine. if I just keep doing that, will it kill my machine eventually?

This machine sells for $89 at Walmart. It isn't expected to really "last".  It's considered a disposible type of machine- not even worth the investment of servicing or repairing.  As long as it is sewing for you and you are happy with it, just use it.  When that is no longer the case, replace it. 

[monstergramma]

Use a 40% off coupon and go to Michaels or Joann or Hobby Lobby and buy a battery operated bobbin winder.  I have a top shelf Singer but I hate winding bobbins, so I got the little gizmo and my grandson winds all my bobbins for me.  I always have a boxfull of the most common colors already wound.