Issue: As far as getting long bobbins for the old Singer VS machines, originals show up on auction sites periodically, but you can also buy new ones. Problem is, the new ones are a type of One Size Fits All, with stubby, blunt ends on them. They fit more or less, and are a type of generic bobbin supposedly fitting most all models of vibrating shuttle machines, but they really don’t.
Answer: if the bobbin will fit in the shuttle or bobbin case, they are generally usable. The better the fit, the better they are of course. The biggest problem with the generic long bobbins on the market is the bulbous or just plain squared off ends will not fit the recess in the holder arms of the bobbin winder. Here’s some solutions to how to address the issue:
Solution 1: Make it from scratch — carve it out of wood, or solder it with brass tubing and brass discs originally intended for jewelry-making.
Solution 2: Find the original on an online auction site or on Helen Howes’ parts list.
Solution 3: Makeshift fitting bobbins using the pre-fabricated bobbins.
Story: Some of the old catalogs of sewing machine suppliers in the old days had pages of bobbins, shuttles, etc. that were printed full size so one could compare or find their listing. Singer parts manuals were printed either scaled to size or full size, but unfortunately a lot of the downloads you may find now do not come out full size, but sized to fit the page.
Sewing With Nick 