••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• Thread Spool Stand Alternative: I'm working on a prototype now for eliminating the need for a spool stand when using cone spools. As soon as I get a production unit available, I'll post it. If you use the larger spools and one of those ugly, cumbersome, inconvenient, nasty thread stands, you are going to love this!!! Now back to your regularly scheduled blog... ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• DIY - Cone Thread Stand: I use a lot of MagicLock thread which comes on 3.000 yard cone shaped spools. It is necessary to place these on a spool stand so that the thread unwinds from the top. I've seen these go from $10 to $50 depending on their complexity. I'm cheap. I saw one made from a CD/DVD storage spindle so decided to see what I had lying around to give it a try. I decided upon the CD/DVD spindle, a hanger, and a 5/16" nut. Here's my take on it: Finished Product Here's the procedure: Parts List: Hanger with strap hooks CD/DVD storage case spindle 5/16" nut Tools: Hacksaw End Cutters File Sandpaper Optional: 5/16" Die Cut the spindle with a hacksaw so that it is shorter than the spool of thread. Super glue the nut at some convenient location along the perimeter of the base. File the top of the spindle so that it looks neat. You don't want your spindle looking like crap. Clip or saw the hanger at one end. Clip or saw the hanger at the other end. File the end of the strap hook. I used a small round file to cut a rounded groove for the thread to pass across. Sand the opposite end so that it fits into the nut. You can glue it in. I threaded mine with a 5/16" die so that I could screw it into the nut, but then, I'm not right. After inserting the hanger into the nut, use a heat gun or hair dryer to heat the hanger just above the nut. Do this until you can bend the hanger so that the hook is directly above the center of the spindle. Hold until cool enough for the hanger to maintain its position. Place spool on your new handy-dandy thread stand and run the thread through the hook and then over to the machine and thread as normal. SEW!
