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Industrial Machine Maintenance

When you sit down to either start or continue a sewing project, you don’t want mechanical problems. Ā Many times, mechanical problems can be avoided when you practice preventative maintenance on your Industrial Sewing Machine. Ā Let me show you a few tips that I have learned along the way about Industrial Sewing Machine Maintenance!

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Industrial Sewing Machine Maintenance – Tip #1

Keep your bobbin area clean. Ā This is a really simple way to avoid lint buildup and possible issues with gear grime. Ā Simply lift your machine and set it on it’s rest. Ā Inspect the bobbin area for lint and thread clippings. Ā Be sure to wipe out the bobbin tray and remove all the debris that collects over time. Ā To make a thorough job of it, be sure to take out your bobbin case and clean this out as well. Ā You would be surprised how much lint can collect in such a small place. Ā Take your lint brush and clean out the bobbin mechanism and the surrounding area. Ā Don’t wipe away any grease (as this is needed for proper operation). Ā Just concentrate on removing the lint, dust and any fabric or thread debris. Ā This is a great way to practice Industrial Sewing Machine Maintenance.

Industrial Sewing Machine Maintenance Tip #2

Industrial Sewing Machine - Cover

Use your dust cover. Ā I know……it’s just that simple! Ā Even if you use your Industrial Sewing Machine every day, it does not hurt to cover it when it is not in use. Ā It’s kind of like using your garage for your car. Ā If you take care of the things you own, they will usually work when you want them to! Ā A dust cover is a very simply way to keep unwanted dust from resting on and in your machine. Ā If you have small children or curious folks in your work space – the dust cover gives the impression of “off limits”. This is a super simple way to practice Industrial Sewing Machine Maintenance.

Industrial Sewing Machine Maintenance Tip #3

This one is probably the most important tip. Ā You really need to oil your machine regularly. Ā The manufacture usually recommends this to happen on a daily basis. Ā Since my Industrial Sewing Machine is not used in a “factory”, I usually only oil my machine twice a week. Ā Sometimes more – it just depends on how much I am making at the time. Ā There are 5 points to oil on this Industrial Sewing Machine. Ā These are indicated by a RED dot.

Industrial Sewing Machine Maintenance 4 Oil points

There is also an oil point located inside the machine. Ā Try to get a few oil drops on the felt piece that is inside the machine.

Industrial Sewing Machine Maintenance 5 Oil points Industrial Sewing Machine Maintenance 6 Oil points 3-2

Once you apply oil to each of these points (several times if necessary), you will want to lift your presser foot and run your machine for a couple minutes until you see oil splashing in the sight glass.

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Industrial Sewing Machine Maintenance Tip #4

Take off the Throat Plate in order to get all the lint that gets trapped in between the feed dogs. Ā If you have never done this before, the screws may be pretty tight from the factory. Ā Once you get these screws out, you can remove the plate and give that area a proper dusting. Ā Be sure that any lint or debris does not accidentally fall into the oil pan. Ā Depending on how much use your Industrial Sewing Machine gets will determine how often you need to clean under the throat plate.

Industrial Sewing Machine Maintenance Tip #5

While you don’t need to actually change the oil in your machine about once ever year or two (depending on use), you really need to ensure that you keep the oil as clean as possible. Ā One way to help would be only lift your machine if you need to check the oil level or for maintenance. Ā It is not recommended to lift your machine to remove a bobbin. Ā Doing this may unnecessarily expose your oil to foreign objects. Ā If you see any pins, loose thread, dust or debris in your oil pan – you need to remove that ASAP. Ā You do not want your oil pump to accidentally get anything but oil in its system. Ā Keep it tidy!

Industrial Sewing Machine Maintenance 9 Industrial Sewing Machine Maintenance 10

If you find yourself with problems, even after practicing these basic maintenance tips, contact your dealer for assistance. Ā Most shops are very friendly and able to help you either in person or over the phone. Ā When I purchased my Industrial Sewing Machine, there was not a local Juki distributor or dealer. Ā I have called Steve with Sewing Gold several times for help or advise on my Juki DU-1181n. Ā It’s always nice to enjoy the equipment that you invested in. Ā Just be sure to take good care of it and you should enjoy your Industrial Sewing Machine for years and years!

I made this quick video to give you a visual of all the tips I covered in this article. Ā Enjoy!

This is the second post of a series I have planned. Ā Be sure to subscribe to my Newsletter so you can be the first to know when the next installment is released!


As a special treat, I offered a free window decal (vehicle not included – haha) as a giveaway prize! Ā How fun! Ā I have one for my car and I get TONS of positive comments. Ā It’s a great conversation starter and all your sewing buddies will want one too! Ā The giveaway is over, but you can order one of these for yourself. Ā You can find these on Amazon!

I love sewing bumper sticker

Thanks to everyone for participating in my giveaway! Ā Congratulations to the winner!

Happy Sewing!

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32 Comments

  1. Loved the video! Thanks! I don’t have an industrial sewing machine (yet), but I have been wanting one! I use my lint brush to clean my machine. I don’t need to oil it, but it sounds like I should!

  2. I really want that bumper sticker! I have a Juki 8700 and clean it often. I use my dust cover like a good girl. LOL!

  3. I haven’t cleaned my machine in a while. Thanks for the video. Where did you get your lint brush? I need one of those. The one I have is super duper small.

  4. Trudie James says:

    Have you ever had to change the oil in your machine? How do you know when to do that? It looks like it could get messy!

  5. Misty Green says:

    How long have you had your industrial machine? It looks so CLEAN! Thanks for the video. Really helpful. I need to clean my machine. I try to oil it, but sometimes I forget. I usually get reminded when it started sounding bad!

  6. Camillle Harvey says:

    Where do you get those window stickers for your car? I want to get one for my Mom! She was the one who got me into sewing. I clean out my bobbin area everytime I change my thread color. It gets messy in there!

  7. Monica Beckmen says:

    My Aunt has an industrial sewing machine. We call her the sewing Goddess! lol I shared your video to her. I think her machine is just like yours. I only have a Singer machine that I got from JoAnns. You can’t do hardly anything with it, but I did make a couple curtains! I need to find my lint brush because it could probably use a dusting!

  8. Fabulous on-point tips. I don’t have an industrial machine yet. My Pfaff doesn’t need oiling but she gets her bobbin area regularly cleaned out. Thanks for the giveaway.

  9. These are such good tips! Thank you!

  10. Thanks for the refresher on maintaining my machine…

  11. I clean out lint and oil on monthly basis on my domestics. Iā€™m waiting for delivery on a Juki cylinder arm (squee!). That will be my first industrial machine, so Iā€™m following your blog posts here intently. Thanks!

  12. Great tips and info Nicole!! My girl has found a temporary home …in my living room!! Just til my new sewing room gets finished of course!! The first day I set her up was like coming home with your first born baby!! So intimidating and I wondered “what have I done” as I could quickly see there was a bit of a learning curve here!! I am used to my domestic with auto tension, no oiling etc, but this baby is going to need attention!! I hope I do her well! The next couple days were so much better as I became more comfortable with her and “getting to know her”! Your information is so helpful and detailed! I am looking forward to more updates in this series!! Thanks for sharing your wisdom!

  13. Glenda Toledo says:

    Simple… Brush lint out, vacuum remaining bits/pieces, oil all moving parts.

  14. Marilyn Bowman says:

    I donā€™t own an industrial (yet), but try to keep my domestics clean and oiled.
    Thanks for the insights on an industrial.

  15. Rebecca Pinquoch says:

    Great tutorial. Steve is shipping my new 1181 out today and your tutorial was just exactly what I needed while I wait. Thank-you

  16. Lacey Webster says:

    I’m actually a public librarian, and we recently acquired several sewing machines for our Makerspace, and I will be one of the librarians responsible for this equipment. This is all new to me, so I really appreciate everything you’ve shared about maintenance for sewing machines. I will be sharing this information with my other colleagues as well. Thanks so much!

  17. Excellent tips! I try to clean my machine as required. I don’t have an industrial machine, but now wish I would have bought one, as I really don’t use the bells and whistles on mine.

  18. Thanks for the reminders- I am very good about most excel using my cover. Oh & donā€™t forget to change your needle after every two bobbins.

  19. Thanks for the tutorial! I faithfully oil my Juki before each use. I use dental picks to remove lint in hard to reach areas and a baby toothbrush to remove lint from the feed dogs. šŸ™‚

  20. In the past I’ve just the basic up keep of cleaning and oiling. I too have recently purchased an industrial sewing machine from Steve at Sewing Gold. So I’m really appreciative of all the info you’ve shared here. ?

  21. Thanks for the tips! I have an 1181N as well and Iā€™m still getting to know her. I typically just clean the bobbin case and wipe off any dust that accumulates around my machine. I need to get better about oiling!

  22. I have been interested in The Julie industrial sewing machine for quite sometime. I have been sewing with Husquvarna rose- have loved the monograming and other things. Have had for 20 years and clean by taking it apart, clean with the brush, tweezers to pick out the stringers and fibers and sometimes a small blow dryer to get in the ares hard to reach. Oil The different areas required to keep maintenance up for smooth running. I am not close to any machine shops that carry the Julie so have to look it up ever so often and dream! Thanks for this grand opportunity! It would be such a blessing come true for this machine…. thank you Terry Hollnd

  23. Great maintenance tips. I just bought a new industrial machine and will use your tips.

  24. These are super awesome tips! Thank you! I’ve been lusting over the Juki DDL 8700 for some time now. What made you choose a true industrial machine as opposed to the 2010Q or the 2200QVP?

    1. Nicole Moore says:

      Hi Cheryl, excellent question! Since I sew professionally, I didn’t want to be limited to what I could do with my machine. While the 2010Q and the 2200QVP are both excellent machines, I wanted to ensure I could produce at the level I am hoping to achieve without limitations because of speed or material thickness. I am really pleased with my choice, but it may not be for everyone. In fact, most people would be better with a domestic or semi-industrial machine. Each situation is different. It is definitely a big decision. If you are confused with which machine to get, I would recommend calling Steve at Sewing Gold in Chicago. He knows all about the machine that I own, plus all the others in his stock. He is very friendly and knowledgable. Be sure to tell him that Nicole says hello! šŸ™‚

  25. Sarah Riley says:

    All of the things you can with your Juki, makes me want one. Better start saving?. I clean my sewing machines once a month. Probably should do it more. I really want to get a cover made for mine though too. I love that window decal. So fun!!!

  26. Suzanne West says:

    Very good information. I have a different company model but it is similar. I called the dealer and asked for a servo motor and he asked me several times what I planned to sew with the machine and he set it up for me. So when it arrived all hubby and I had to do was put it together.

    Please do remember that an industrial needs oil to run until it gets broken in. I almost had mine freeze up on me because I didn’t run it long enough to get all the oil distributed throughout the machine. Once I got it going good, I don’t have to worry about it seizing up.

    Love the machine and the ability of it to penetrate many layers of fabric with no problem.

  27. Rhonda Tenderholt says:

    Did I miss the giveaway? I unfortunately don’t sew a lot but my best friend does. I haven’t really maintained my machine other than keeping the cover on it when not in use. I’d love to win this vehicle sticker for her as she’s trying to teach me to sew.

  28. M-E Jinno says:

    I want that decal for my car window. I have regular home machines and do lots of quilt and garment making.
    I should be better at keeping it clean as I have to go 2 hrs to get it serviced. I oil the places I was shown to oil.
    Mine are set in special tables to be a flat surface, more ergonomic; I need to make soft covers for each, to keep cat hairs & dust out.

  29. Great advice and suggestions. One day I’ll be able to purchase an industrial sewing machine. Now, I use a Pfaff Quilt Ambition 2.0. ?

  30. Alice Carroll says:

    Thanks for the reminder that it’s always important to clean off the lint when maintaining a sewing machine. I plan to look for a sewing machine repair service soon because I plan to start making costumes as a side project. My old sewing machine definitely has seen better days so I will need to get some maintenance done to it.

  31. Eli Richardson says:

    It’s helpful to know that we’d oil our industrial machines regularly based on how much we use them. My mom wants to invest in new sewing machines to expand her operations in two months. Your insight about machine maintenance will help my mom keep her sewing machines in good shape for many years.

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