Changing a sewing machine belt becomes far easier, if you know the appropriate methodology of how to change sewing machine belt In case you are a noob who has never done this before, this following write up is absolutely for you.
How to Change Sewing Machine Belt
We, besides showing you the correct path of removing and installing a sewing machine belt, tell you how not to injure yourself and cause trouble to the machine as you go through the process.
Supplies required
- A screwdriver that fit the screw of your machine
- A new belt either universal or made for your machine specially
How to remove the outworn sewing machine belt?
- The first and foremost step is to unplug the machine from the electric socket to avoid unexpected accidents. Notice that we aren’t recommending you to just power off rather unplug.
- There have been many reports of accidents from the sewing machine needle. So, you must make sure that you are protected.
How will you ensure that? Well, to do so you just need to disengage the hand wheel. Remember that it is the part of your machine responsible for the movement of the needle. So, once it is disengaged, the needle won’t move a bit while taking off the old belt.
- Unscrew the screws that are just behind your sewing machine responsible for holding the motor to the machine.
- As soon as the screws are removed, it’s time to do off the dilapidated belt. Simply salip it from the pulley.
- Extreme alertness is a must while doing this removal job. You may need to turn the hand wheel forward a bit. Turn as slowly as possible. Keep in mind if you do hurry in this segment, you may disturb the machine’s timing subconsciously.
How to install the new sewing machine belt?
- First of all, fix the belt on the hand wheel making sure that the belt’s right side is outside. How to identify the right side accurately? Don’t worry most of the belts come with markings to show you the exact side.
- As you feed the belt you may require turning the hand wheel a bit backward and again extra care is a must. Turning the wheel backward fast may cause disturbance to the timing of the machine.
- Keep feeding steadily and keep taking it down to the motor’s pulley. As you reach the pulley, it’s the right time to slip the belt on it.
- While slipping the belt make sure that no twist remains. Once the belt is set appropriately, it will appear to be tight.
- A bit of pulling may require fixing the belt’s position infallibly. Be sure that you don’t hurt your fingers while pulling and fixing.
How to complete the installation error freely?
- So, is the belt installed securely? Okay, then set the motor to its previous position where you find the belt at its tightest.
Remember that you can do this only if the motor is adjustable; otherwise not! However, following this simple step you can make sure that the belt fits tightly.
- Where are the screws you removed a while ago? Insert those into the respective screw hole and then tighten hard. They will hold the motor securely.
- Just after the fixing of the screws, you should check out the slack of the belt. What’s the measurement of the slack? If you find it to be more than half an inch, something is wrong although it rarely happens.
- Put back the cover, secure the removed screws and re-engage the hand wheel respectively.
- After the re-engaging of the hand wheel is accomplished, turn it to any direction slowly to check if the needle moves.
In case, the needle doesn’t move, you should again disengage the hand wheel and re-engage.
- Plug the machine’s motor and power on to check if everything works perfectly.
What are the different types of sewing machine belts?
To help you understand the type of your machine’s belt and ask the sellers for the right one, this section is dedicated.
Below we introduce you to the available belt types so that you can match the features of your machine’s belt with those of these.
Lug belt: The most commonly used bell that resembles a geared belt because of having teeth inside. Whatever, the teeth never fit the indentations of the motor’s pulley.
V belt: Almost the same as a lug belt with the mere difference in teeth. A V belt doesn’t have teeth inside.
Round belt: Because of its stretchy nature, this belt is far popular. The belt works fine even if the measurement is a bit wrong.
Geared belt: A geared belt is a complicated one that requires you to be precise while choosing. Its teeth must fit the grooves of the motor’s pulley.
Tips
- After removing the side of your machine, the belt should be visible. In case it is not to your eyes then be sure that your machine features a belt inside.
In that case, the removal and installment of the belt requires you to be further expert with relevant experience. If you lack both, it is always wise to take the machine to a professional to avoid the imminent catastrophe.
- There are universal belts available in the market, which fit almost all the sewing machines and function properly.
But, if it is possible for you to manage a belt that is specially designed and developed for your machine’s model, you should go for that although the price might be a bit higher.
- Removing and installing a sewing machine belt is not that much of an easy job. It requires you to be someone strong. However, whenever you need to use your strength and fingers to do off and put on a belt, use the end of a screwdriver instead of your fingers.
Final words
In short, changing a sewing machine belt accurately although appears to be simple yet is not. Therefore, if you are not sure how to change the sewing machine belt appropriately, you better call in a technician or take the machine to him. Otherwise, you may end up injuring your fingers and disturbing the timing of the machine.
