====== Brother Industrial Sewing Machine ====== **Work in progress - this page is being updated** **This machine is due to arrive in the space on the 27th, please do not use it until it has been serviced and put into action.** Model: Brother B755 MK2 This equipment requires an induction prior to use. For your own safety and to avoid damage to the equipment do not attempt to use it until you have been inducted. ===== Induction ===== Due to the risks to the industrial sewing machine, this equipment has a mandatory online induction. Go to the Membership Portal PC or sign in via the membership portal when you are in the space from any device and find the online induction. Once completed your card/fob will be authorised to unlock the RFID lockout box so the machine can be switched on. Please return log out after use. ==== Manuals ==== === Instruction Manual === {{ equipment:adt:brother_db2-b755_user_manual.pdf |}} === Parts Manual === {{ equipment:adt:brother_db2-b755_parts_manual.pdf |}} ====== Overview ====== Hey and welcome to the world of industrial sewing machines. If you've only used domestic machines this world can feel scary and intimidating but rest assured - industrial sewing machines are generally much simpler and more robust than domestic machines. Industrial machines offer a few key benefits over domestic machines: * Improved consistency * Larger throat height (the gap between the table bed and presser foot) meaning easier manipulation of large projects and the ability to sew through more layers of fabric or combinations with a larger stack height - think a layer of foam between two pieces of face fabric * More powerful needle pressure meaning they can be used for more heavy duty applications and fabrics * Ability to use a greater range of thread * Greater bobbin capacity meaning you can do more stitching between bobbin changes * Higher speeds when needed ====== Safety Instructions ====== Be aware - the sewing machine should be switched off at the wall before changing the bobbin or accessing the underside of the machine. Due to the capacitors in the servo motor it is possible that enough power to briefly power the machine can remain even when the power is off. To mitigate against this, please push down on the foot pedal after switching the machine off to drain the remaining charge. * This sewing machine should only be used by those who are inducted on it, or under the supervision of someone who is. * If the cord or plug is damaged or it is not working properly do not use the machine and let the committee know and place a thread on the forum to let people know it is out of action. * Please keep the air openings and ventilation of the machine unblocked and regularly clean out the machine from the accumulation of lint, dust and loose cloth. * Keep fingers away from moving parts, especially around the sewing needle and the drive belt. * Avoid wearing loose clothes or jewellery when using the machine. It is possible for cuffs and bracelets to get tangled in moving parts. * Please only use accessories, needles, bobbins, needle plates etc that are suitable for the machine. Using the wrong parts can cause tension issues, missed stitches and broken needles. * Do not use bent needles. * Do not pull or push the fabric while stitching, it can cause the needle to break. * Wear safety glasses as the needle can break and cause eye damage. * Switch the sewing machine off when making adjustments in the needle area, such as threading the needle, changing the needle, threading the bobbin, or changing the presser foot. * Always unplug the machine when removing covers, lubricating or when making other user servicing adjustments mentioned below. * Never drop or insert anything into any opening. ====== Maintenance ====== ===== Before Each Use ===== * Use a rag to wipe down any surfaces that will come in contact with your project. Oil can seep down from the moving parts and this will stain or mark some fabrics * Make sure there are no tangles of thread anywhere on the machine * Remove bobbin cover and bobbin case to make sure there are no tangles under the machine * Make sure the drive belt is clear from anything that is going to foul it * Make sure any thread from the spool rests is not going to get tangled in any of the moving parts * Make sure knee lever is operating normally * Before starting your project load a scrap piece of material and run the machine at full power for 5-10 seconds to move oil from the oil pan to the moving parts on the machine * After doing this check the oil level on the oil window on the front of the machine ===== After Each Use ===== * Wipe down the machine and clear away any thread ====== How to Thread the Machine ====== {{:equipment:adt:screenshot_2026-05-09_at_22.33.12.png?400|}} - Place suitable thread on the spool stand - Thread the thread through the small hole in the spool stand upper arm - Bring the thread down to the upper middle guide. The thread goes from right to left - firstly down the rightmost hole then up through the second, around the spring guide and down out of the hole on the left arm. - On the next arm the thread goes down the first hole and up through the last hole. - The thread now goes down and around the needle thread tension plate. Make sure the thread is set down between the plates and not just sitting in the v between the two plates. The thread then goes around the round metal 'hook' and up. Clip the thread in the hook then thread it through the needle thread arm. - Thread the thread down through the 'pigs tail' guide before clipping it behind the clip at the bottom of the needle attachment clamp, just above the top of the needle. - Lastly, thread the thread through the needle eye from left to right. Wahoo, you've done it! ====== Raising and Lowering the Presser Foot ====== You can raise and lower the presser foot in two ways: **Knee Lever:** Push right with your knee against the foam pad underneath the machine. This method is great because it means you can use both hands to manipulate your project. Remember, if you want to keep all of your layers in place whilst you lift the presser foot make sure to keep the needle set down through the layers of fabric. **Presser Foot Lift Lever:** Use the black presser foot lift lever at the back of the machine. The benefit of this method is you can lock the presser foot in the lifted position, which you can't with the knee lift. ====== Winding Bobbins ====== The bobbin winder on this machine is designed so you can wind bobbins whilst you are sewing your project. However, you can also wind bobbins without needing to be actively sewing. If you are winding a bobbin without sewing at the same time please make sure the needle thread is removed from the machine. - Place suitable thread on the spool stand - Thread the thread through the small hole in the spool stand upper arm - Thread the thread through the hole in the bobbin thread tensioner - The thread now goes around the back of the tension plates. Again, make sure the thread is firmly set between the tension plates. - Put an empty bobbin on the bobbin winder pin. Make sure the bobbin is well set onto this - it can be quite firm. - Wrap the thread around the bobbin a few times. - Push the silver tab at the front of the assembly so the wheel assembly clips forward and the bobbin winder wheel engages on the drive belt. - Push the foot pedal to engage the drive. - When the bobbin is full the bobbin winder will automatically pop back into the disengaged position. {{:equipment:adt:screenshot_2026-05-09_at_22.32.42.png?400|}} ====== Loading Bobbins into the Machine ====== Before doing anything, make sure the machine is switched off. Once switched off, push the foot pedal to drain any remaining charge in the capacitors inside the servo motor. ===== Removing the Bobbin Case ===== {{:equipment:adt:screenshot_2026-05-09_at_22.32.09.png?400|}} - To remove the bobbin case the needle needs to be in its highest position. If it is not, turn the hand wheel until it is. - Slide the bobbin access plate to the right of the presser foot to the left so you can see the bobbin case. - With a hand underneath the machine, release the bobbin case lever. This lever is best actuated with a fingernail and can be quite tricky to access. The end of the lever closest to you is pulled away from the bobbin case. This should pop the bobbin case out of the machine. ===== Loading a Bobbin into the Bobbin Case ===== Place the bobbin into the bobbin case. Guide the thread through the diagonal slot, under the lower thread adjustment spring and into the delivery eye. {{:equipment:adt:screenshot_2026-05-09_at_22.32.58.png?400|}} ===== Adjusting the Bobbin Tension ===== The bobbin tension will need to be adjusted before putting the bobbin case back in the machine. The tension is adjusted by screwing the lower thread adjustment screw in or out. To get the right tension hold the thread coming out of the bobbin case and let the bobbin case drop. The bobbin should slowly slip down under its own weight. This is a good guide but you may need to dial this in further after testing the overall tension. ===== Loading the Bobbin Case into the Machine ===== - To load the bobbin case the needle needs to be in its highest position. If it is not, turn the hand wheel until it is. - To load the bobbin case the gap in the rim of the case needs to be pointing up. Align the hole on the opposite side of the case to the lever with the bobbin axle under the machine. The bobbin case should positively click into place. - Finally, slide the bobbin access plate back into place. ====== Final Set Up ====== With the bobbin case in place and the needle thread correctly threaded, raise the presser foot and advance the hand wheel towards you. The needle thread should pick up a loop of the bobbin thread and bring it above the table under the presser foot. Pull this loop through so a single strand is coming up from the bobbin beneath the table. ====== Adjusting the Tension ====== Adjusting the thread tension is the trickiest part of setting up a sewing machine. It can be frustrating and needs a bit of trial and error sometimes but with practice you will pick up the knack. {{:equipment:adt:screenshot_2026-05-09_at_22.33.28.png?400|}} Tension is best tested with the same fabrics that you are going to sew on your project. Put the fabric you will be sewing under the presser foot and, with the presser foot lowered, press the foot pedal to begin sewing. Remove the piece from the machine and inspect the stitch. When the tension is correct the point where the lower and upper thread meets should be between the two pieces of fabric. * If the bottom thread is showing on the top - the needle thread tension is too tight or the bobbin thread tension is too loose. * If the upper thread is showing on the bottom - the bobbin thread tension is too tight or the needle thread tension is too loose. Adjust the needle thread tension and/or the bobbin tension until the threads meet in the middle. ===== Adjusting the Needle Thread Tension ===== The needle thread tension is adjusted by screwing the needle thread tension screw in or out. Screwing it out will lower the tension - screwing it in will increase the tension. ===== Adjusting the Bobbin Thread Tension ===== The tension is adjusted by screwing the lower thread adjustment screw on the bobbin case in or out. To get the right tension hold the thread coming out of the bobbin case in one hand and slowly lower the bobbin case so the thread is holding the bobbin case up. The bobbin should slowly slip down under its own weight. This is a good guide but you may need to dial this in further after testing the overall tension. ====== Using the Sewing Machine ====== That was a lot of faff wasn't it - but fear not, the time has come for you to get needle to cloth on your project. ===== Basic Operations ===== This machine is a straight lockstitch machine. This means it has few stitch adjustments you need to worry about. The machine can sew forwards and backwards and you can vary the length of the stitch - that's the long and short of it. To start sewing: - Make sure there is some slack in the free ends of each thread - if there is too little the needle thread can pull out of the needle eye as you advance the machine. - Lift the presser foot with either the knee lever or the lever at the back of the needle head. - Position your work piece into the desired location. - Once in position, lower the presser foot down to clamp the work piece. - You can now sew as you wish! ===== Reverse Stitching ===== To reverse stitch, press down on the black reverse lever on the right of the machine. ===== Adjusting the Stitch Length ===== {{:equipment:adt:screenshot_2026-05-09_at_22.34.39.png?400|}} To adjust the stitch length, depress the reverse lever halfway and use the stitch length adjustment dial on the front of the machine. This is supposed to be marked in mm but this isn't an exact art. Best practice would be to test your set length on a scrap piece to dial the length in to your desires. ===== Complex Adjustments ===== It is possible to make some other adjustments to the machine such as presser foot pressure and feed dog height which can have some benefits on specific applications. We ask that if you do not understand the benefits of these changes that the machine is left as it is currently set up. If you do have a specific need to change these, please make sure that the machine is returned to the way it is currently set up at the end of every session. Please refer to the manual for details.