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Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

I get asked a lot of questions about so many things concerning embroidery machines and how to use them. Here are some Frequently asked Question and my responses.

 


Free Images - faq
   

 

 

 

Embroidery Information:

Which embroidery machines are best and what to look out for when shopping for a machine. Information on legalities. 


 What about Embroidery Machines: Which embroidery machines are best and what to look out for when shopping for a machine.

 Used Embroidery Machine Landmines: Do your homework before you spring for a machine. You don’t want a $3000 boat anchor

 What is a used embroidery machine worth? I wish they made a Kellys Blue book for embroidery machines but I havent found one.


CUSTOMER SUPPLIED GARMENT WAIVER: People bring you all kinds of things to embroider, and you can get into some real trouble if you mess it up.

 

 Needful Things: Reviews and information on some things that I have found help with your embroidery.

 

 

Let's talk about it!

   

 

 

 

DIY Embroidery Machine Repair:

Articles from AJST on repairing and working on your Embroidery Machine.

 

 Electronics in an embroidery machine: What are the boards and electronics in a commercial embroider machine, and how do they interact with each other?

 Oil and Grease for your Embroidery Machine: Machine maintenance will prolong the life of your machine and give you more sewing time. Embroidery machines do not last forever but a little preventive maintenance will keep your machine running and trouble free.

 

 Thread Tension: Understanding and setting your thread tension properly can mean the difference in high-quality good-looking embroidery and frustrating and ugly stitches.

 

 Rotary Hooks: Information on Rotary hooks. Rotary hook prices range from about $18.00 to over $300.00 and may need to be replaced at around 3 to 5 years. Quality does make a difference.

 Hook Timing: Information on replacing your rotary hook and/or setting your hook timing. 

 My embroidery machine wont turn: This is a very common error that you may get with an embroidery machine is when the main shaft does not rotate. follow the steps to diagnose and remedy this error.

 Needle stuck in rotary hook: Facebook video on jammed rotary hook. 

 Updating your floppy drive to a USB Drive. Some things you may need to know.

Emergency Parts Information 

 

Machine specific information:

 

 Happy:

 Happy Machine - Needle Bar Driver Roller BearingsSome Happy Embroidery machines use a Needle Bar Driver and roller bearings instead of a Reciprocator. Here is some information on Needle bar drivers. 

 


 

Ricoma:

 Ricoma: My Main Axis is does not stop at 100 Degrees. This information also applys to most Chinese embroidery machines. 


SWF:

SWF Serial Number Decode - Here is how to determine the year model of your SWF Embroidery Machine from your serial number.

 


Toyota:

 Stitch count on a Toyota Embroidery Machine: How do you find out how many stitches on a Tajima Neo or Toyota Embroidery Machine? 

 

 

 Goodbye to the Shade Tree Mechanic

 

Shade tree embroidery machine mechanic. 

   

 

 

 

 

 Embroidering tips and discussion:

Tips and How-to information on how to use your embroidery machine.

  

Metallic thread problem:  Help: Sewing with Metallic thread can be a challenge. I have some successful customers that are willing to share how they make it work. 

Stitching on hard structured, buckram caps: We receive a lot of complaints and concerns about hard structured caps including The Infamous Richardson 112 and similar model caps. Here are few things that you can do that may help when embroidering these caps.

 

 Richardson 112

The Infamous Richardson 112

   

 

 

 

Library and Links: 

Links, PDFs, and other sources of knowledge.

 

Quick Links Here are some quick links to things you might need as you are running your embroidery business.

 

Needful Things: Reviews and information on some things that I have found help with your embroidery.

 


20 Terrible Tales of True Horror From the Library | Ghostbusters ...

The Library. 

   

 

 

 

Document Dump:

 

Suggested Training Supplies: These are tools supplies and materials that you may need to have on hand for training.

 

Emergency Repair Kits:

 

Fonts for Wilcom

 

 

 [DECLAS] Document Dump * FREE STATE OF V * Public Policy
   

 

 

 

 

 
 
 
 

 

 

 

 

 Question: My main axis is off 20°. No matter if I set it back to 100° , turn machine off. It goes back to 120° after a cycle. Anything I can do to fix?

  • Is it loosing it memory when you turn it off? It's designs? Your battery may need to be replaced.
  • Is it stopping at the same exact number every time? The Main Axis Stop Delay parameter may need to be adjusted.

 

 

 control_panel.jpg

 

 

 

SWF Serial Number Decode

Here is how to determine the year model of your SWF Embroidery Machine from your serial number.

Take the first two numbers of the serial number not counting the Letter and match it with the year listed below.

Example: C4108061

  • First two numbers are 41. The Table below shows that Serial number 41 was made in 2008.

 

 

ESA Fonts for Wilcom

  • Right Click on the font and choose "Save link as"
  • Copy the file to a temporary folder.
  • Replace or rename the .pdf extension with .esa
  • Copy and past the file into this folder: C:\Program Files\Wilcom\EmbroideryStudio_e4.5\Fonts\  .
  • After dropping the file you will need to close Wilcom and restart the program for it to recognize the new font.

 

TheSans B7 Bold.PDF

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hi Dennis,

can you look at the below 6 heads for sale and let me know if you think these are in the ball park? tajima 1376

thanks!


I wish they made a Kellys Blue book for embroidery machines but I havent found one. Here is a thought process that I use to value a machine. This is only my opinion.

Tajimas tend to last about 15 to 20 years depending on maintenance and use. The machines actually last a lot longer that 20 years but the support, and parts availability tends to end at about 20 years on most models.

As a rule, new machines sell in the ballpark of about 8,000 to 10,000 per head. A new 6 head Tajima will sell for about 50,000 to 53,000.  This depends on what you get with the machine, hoops, supplies and tools, training, support, and warranties.

 

 Tajima     
   New Machines  New Price  $53,000
  10 years old        @ Half original Price  $30,000
  20 years old                         @ One quarter original price  $15,000
  Over twenty years old “Not recommended.”  Parts and service concerns.