Originally Posted by Jeff Liebermann

On Mon, 7 May 2012 09:27:37 -0700, "David Farber"
wrote:

I actually did a bit more research after my last post to make sure I was
getting the correct part. This place lists the tire as compatible with the
CS80 model so I purchased it there.
Sewing Machine Bobbin Winder Tire Ring X55238051 - Baby Lock, Brother

Ok. That should work.

The fun part will be getting the sticky rubber goo off the plastic
spindle. Have your latex gloves and noxious solvents handy.

I really don't expect Brother, like many other companies, to make it easier
for you to buy one small part off of an entire assembly when it can make
more money selling the whole thing.

Actually, they don't want to sell any parts. Most of the parts
available come from 3rd part aftermarket vendors, that either reverse
engineer the parts, or have some manner of arrangement with the
factory. Some countries require manufacturers to provide parts for
anywhere between 5-10 years (such as 10 years for autos in the USA),
which is what inspired this practice.

Incidentally, I managed to find the one Brother sewing machine that
lacked a downloadable manual from their web pile (XL2030). So, I sent
them an email asking for a copy and was rewarded with a free printed
original in the mail. I have access to a very fast Canon document
scanner and plan to scan the manual eventually.
http://802.11junk.com/jeffl/crud/Can...Runner5000.wmv (4.1MB)
Notice that it's scanning both sides of each page.

This has been going on in the service
industry since the beginning of time.

Yep. However, I've also seen it from the manufacturers point of view.
It's much easier and more profitable to setup a board exchange
program, than to sell individual parts. Brother is not going to get
rich selling $3 rubber tires.

Incidentally, I once calculated what it cost my employer to ship an
empty box. That's a product that costs zero to make, but which still
has to carry the overhead such as purchasing, inventory control,
documentation, billing, shipping, etc. That was $75 in about 1980.
Probably much more today.

I don't consider myself being really
cheap.

I consider myself very cheap. If a used rubber tire were available, I
would buy it.

I consider it being smart. Speaking of cheap, how cheap was it of
Brother to use a tire like that in the first place?

I haven't bought O-rings and similar parts for many years, but I do
recall paying about 2 cents each for something similar in quantities
of 1,000.



--
Jeff Liebermann
150 Felker St #D http://www.LearnByDestroying.com
Santa Cruz CA 95060 Jeff Liebermann 802.11 Junk
Skype: JeffLiebermann AE6KS 831-336-2558