Wooden Bobbins

[jourdain2]

'Evening everyone,

I can't think of anywhere else to ask this. Do you remember when all cotton-reels used to be made of wood? They are now plastic or card. We in our village are in need of wooden ones.

We are planning a village food-and-fun day and several someones have remembered 'snail racing' for the children. For this you need wooden bobbins with nails hammered in (I don't know how it works either, but it involves wearing the kids out by tearing around the village to different locations - which is always good).

I thought I might have one left, but I haven't. I suppose that we could buy dowelling and drill a hole through the middle of it (this is also essential, apparently) but that will involve cost and getting someone to take it on.

Does anyone have any ideas as to how I can source what used to be ordinary, cotton bobbins, please? (I made caterpillars for my tinies with mine!)

[pastafreak]

If you don't mind paying a few quid,there's loads on eBay.
Just search for wooden bobbins.

[Quizproquo]

There are lots on Amazon

https://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_2/252-1282266-6142339?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=wooden+cotton+reels

[jourdain2]

Thanks, Pasta! I would donate a couple of quid to the kids, I'll have a look. The things they sell on there!

[jourdain2]

Ditto Quiz. ^^^

[vulcan42]

How many do you need?
There are some on e bay but could be a bit pricey if you need lots.

[Buenchico]

There are loads on eBay. e.g. http://tinyurl.com/lwc68jd

There are more to be found by simply searching Google for 'wooden cotton reels' (or 'wooden cotton bobbins') - but take care if you're looking at the larger packs because they tend to be filled with lots of different sizes (which wouldn't be much good for your needs)

[jourdain2]

I'll check with those in the know, Vulcan. Good point, thanks. Off to put oven on now, back later.

[Mamyalynne]

Won't confuse with links as already given - but now have an ear worm.

♫ Wind the bobbin up...♫

[gness]

Right, J.......where do you need the nails......can't be in the middle because there is a hole already...so I have experimented for you....

If you heat up a nail on a candle and stick it into the top edges of a plastic reel it will stay there...it really will.....so if it's a bit like the French knitting things we used to make that will really work....

Your kitchen will stink and you will burn yourself....not badly....but you will have nails in your cotton reels......☺

[tonyav]

We used to call them tanks when I was a kid.
https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/600x315/03/1d/b5/031db525b6625635f361f3100c1febb3.jpg

[tonyav]

https://blog.adkinshistory.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/Cotton-Reel-Tank.jpg

[atalanta]

Try asking on your local Freegle/Freecycle

[jourdain2]

Yikes, gness - just back from burns unit, so I am afraid that that didn't work - naughty gness.......:(

[jourdain2]

Tony av -I think you've got it! There is an ex-science-teacher friend who has been working on this, looks the same. We need about 20 reels.

Thanks Atalanta, another one to try. Thanks all :) xx

[tonyav]

Just a thought, jourdain. I wonder if knitting / sewing shops would stock empty cotton reels.

[jourdain2]

Ta, Tony - will check. :)

[DTCwordfan]

(i) are you talking those cheap wood ones used for mending when we grew up, as I may be able to source you a few out of here - with the thread.

(ii) the burns unit? are you okay - given my attempt at the first Cornish space launch last summer??

[jourdain2]

DTC :0) xx ^^^

[DTCwordfan]

the ones about an inch plus high, maybe half an inch wide with a lip either end and the hole through the middle. If so, I can look and see what I can come up with..... like this?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/like/262333369982?lpid=122&;chn=ps&adgroupid=39613511478&adgroupid=39613511478&;rlsatarget=aud-168805810626%3Apla-279348978698&rlsatarget=aud-168805810626%3Apla-279348978698&abcId=923836&;adtype=pla&adtype=pla&merchantid=113801909&poi=&poi=&googleloc=9045619&googleloc=9045619&device=c&device=c&campaignid=737386489&;campaignid=737386489&crdt=0

The ones here would have thread on....?

[RobNorth]

There are several bobbin mills still working in the UK - one in Buckingham, one in the Lakes called Stotts Mill which I thinks belongs to English Heritage and one near Liverpool.