In this video, we remove the embroidery machine head so the reciprocator can be changed. We start by removing the front cover to expose the Allen head screws that hold the head onto the LM guide. To do this, we remove the four Phillips head screws from the cover.
Before moving the cover, we take the threaded machine's threads and pull a little slack from the spools. We do this because we never want to re-thread an embroidery machine once it has already been threaded. We then place the slack into the holder so the threads can be returned easily when the work is complete.
With the cover pulled up and out of the way, we use a 3 mm Allen wrench to remove the Allen head screws that secure the head to the LM guide. We then carefully grab the embroidery head, lift it up and toward us, and lower it gently. Once the entire head is off the machine, we set it in a safe place out of the way so it does not fall or become damaged.
For a project as involved as removing the machine head, it helps to gather essential embroidery supplies first.