Singer 5040 User manual

Instruction Manual

Contents
For European territories
Important safety instructions
Getting to know your machine
Principal parts
Accessories
Connecting the machine
Running the machine
Choosing and changing needles
Changing the needle plate
Changing screw-on presser feet
Attaching the feed cover
Changing snap-on presser feet
Fabric, thread and needle table
Inserting a bobbin
Winding a bobbin
Threading the machine
Raising the bobbin thread
Adjusting thread tension
Sewing a seam
Starting a seam
Straight stitching
Stitch width selector
Needle position selector
Stitch length selector
Reverse stitch button and sewing in reverse
Darning
Inserting a zipper
Zig-zag stitching
Needle position selector
Stitch width selector
Adjusting stitch length
Pattern groups selection
Flexi-stitch patterns
Balancing flexi-stitches
Pattern stitching
Removing and replacing pattern module
Decorative stitch patterns
Flexi-stitch patterns
Attaching a button
Free arm sewing
Removing the extension table
Four step buttonhole
Twin needle sewing
Additional accessories / Accessory storage
Caring for your machine
Removing and replacing bobbin case
Cleaning the machine
Lubricating the machine
Changing the light bulb
Performance checklist

3
IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
When using this machine, basic safety pre-
cautions should always be followed including
the following:
Read all instructions before using this
machine.
DANGER
To reduce the risk of electric shock:
• The machine should never be left unattend-
ed when plugged in. Always unplug the
machine from the electric outlet immediately
after using and before cleaning.
• Always unplug before relamping. Replace
bulb with the same type rated 15 watts. Be
sure to replace the face plate which covers
the light bulb before operating the machine.
WARNING
To reduce the risk of burns, fire, electric
shock or injury to persons:
• Be sure that the electrical voltage of the
socket outlet (wall receptacle) is the same
as the rated voltage of the motor.
• Use this machine only for its intended use
as described in this Operator's Guide. Use
only attachments recommended by the
manufacturer as contained in the Operator's
Guide.
• To disconnect, turn all controls to the off
("0") position, then remove plug from outlet.
Dear Customer,
We recommend that for future reference you
record the Serial Number of your Sewing
Machine in the space provided.
Refer to illustration for location of Serial
Number on your machine.

4
WARNING continued...
•Disconnect the power-line plug from the
socket outlet or switch the machine off when
making any adjustments in the needle area,
such as threading needle, changing needle,
changing throat plate or changing presser
foot, etc.
•Always unplug the machine from the electri-
cal outlet when removing covers, lubricating,
or when making any other user servicing
adjustments mentioned in the Operator's
Guide.
•Do not attempt to adjust the motor belt.
Contact your nearest Service Center should
any adjustment be required.
• Do not unplug by pulling on cord. To unplug,
grasp the plug, not the cord.
• Handle the foot controller with care and
avoid dropping it on the floor. Be sure not to
place anything on top of it.
•Always use the proper throat plate. The
wrong plate can cause the needle to break.
• Do not use bent needles.
• When sewing, keep fingers away from all
moving parts. Special care is required
around the sewing machine needle.
• Do not pull or push fabric while stitching. It
may deflect the needle causing it to break.
• Before removing the bobbin case, remove
plug from the socket outlet.
• For double insulated machines, when serv-
icing use only identical replacement parts.
• Never operate the machine if it has a dam-
aged cord or plug, if it is not working proper-
ly, if It has been dropped or damaged, or
dropped into the water. Return the machine
to the nearest authorized dealer or Service
Center for examination, repair, electrical, or
mechanical adjustment.
•Never operate the machine with any air
openings blocked. Keep ventilation open-
ings of the machine and foot controller free
from the accumulation of lint, dust, and
loose cloth.
•Never drop or insert any object into any
opening.

5
Neither core is to be connected to the earth
terminal of a three-pin plug.
• Do not use outdoors
• Do not operate where aerosol (spray) prod-
ucts are being used or where oxygen is
being administered.
•Do not allow to be used as a toy. Close
attention is necessary when the machine is
used by or near children.
For European Territories:
This product is suppressed for radio and tele-
vision interference with the International
Electrotechnical Commission requirements of
the CISPR.
Machines for Great Britain:
Machines for Great Britain and some other
countries having similar wiring standards are
shipped from the factory without a plug for
connection to the mains. The wires in this
mains lead are coloured in accordance with
the following code:
Blue: neutral (N) Brown: live (L)
As the colours of the wires in the mains lead
of this appliance may not correspond with the
coloured markings identifying the terminals in
your plug, proceed as follows:
The wire, which is coloured blue must be
connected to the terminal which is marked
with the letter N or coloured black. The wire,
which is coloured brown must be connected
to the terminal which is marked with letter L
or coloured red. If a 13 Amp. (BS 1363) plug
is used, a 3 Amp. fuse must be fitted, or if
any other type of plug is used, a 5 Amp. fuse
must be fitted either in the plug or adapter or
at the distribution board.
SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS
Servicing should be performed
by an authorized service representative.
This product is intended for household use.

6
Principal parts
1. Hand wheel
2. Bobbin winder
3. Horizontal spool pin and holder
4. Top cover lid
5. Thread guide
6. Bobbin winder tension disc
7. Snap-in thread guide
8. Take up lever
9. Face plate
10. Needle thread tension dial
11. Accessory storage
12. Snap on presser foot
13. Needle plate
14. Removable extension table
15. One-way needle clamp
16. Thread guides
17. Push button reverse
18. Stitch length dial/four-step buttonhole
19. Stitch width lever
20. Pattern selector dial
21. Needle position selector
22. Stitch balance control
23. Presser foot lifter
24. Thread cutter
25. Feed system
26. Slide plate
27. Foot control
28. Electrical lead
29. Machine plug
30. Power and light switch
31. Bobbin winding indent
Getting to know your machine

7

8
Accessories
The following accessories furnished with your
sewing machine are designed to simplify your
sewing projects and increase the versatility of
your machine.
The letter in a circle adjacent to the illustrated
part is reproduced on the part itself to help
you select the correct attachment for the type
of work you are doing.
1. Interchangeable pattern module.
2. Special purpose presser foot (J) is used
for decorative and zig-zag sewing.
3. General purpose needle plate (A) and
presser foot (B) are on your machine
when delivered. Use together for alternat-
ing between straight and zig-zag stitching.
4. Buttonhole presser foot (L) is used with
the General Purpose Needle Plate to make
four-step buttonholes
5. Zipper foot (E) is used for inserting zip-
pers and stitching corded seams.
6. Friction free spool holder is used to hold
various size spools and allows thread to
unwind smoothly. The spool does not turn.
7. Small thread spool holder (Q) for use
with small diameter spools of thread.
8. Needlepack includes an assortment for
sewing various types of fabrics.
9. Feed cover (F) is used to prevent the feed
from moving the fabric when darning or
free motion embroidery.
10. Transparent bobbins for easy viewing of
thread supply.
11. Blindstitch hem presser foot is used to
position the hem for blindstitch hemming.

9
Connecting the machine
Push plug into the receptacle (1) at the right
end of the machine. Then connect plug (2) to
your socket outlet.

10
Running the machine
To turn on machine and sewing light, press
upper portion of power switch. To turn off
machine and light, press lower portion "O" of
power switch.
To run the machine and control speed, press
the foot control with your foot. The harder you
press, the faster the machine will sew. To
stop machine, remove foot from control.
Note: Do not operate machine without fabric
under the presser foot as this may
damage the feed and the presser foot.

11
Choosing and changing needles
• Raise needle to its highest position.
• Loosen needle clamp screw and remove
needle.
• With flat side of needle to the back. Insert
new needle up into clamp as far as it will go
• Tighten needle clamp screw securely.
Changing the needle plate (A), (C)
• Raise needle and presser foot.
• Open slide plate.
• Lift up needle plate from right corner and
slide out from under foot.
• To replace needle plate, slide it under pin
(1) and push it firmly to the left.
• Press down until it snaps into place.

12
Changing screw-on presser feet (H)
• Raise needle and presser foot.
• Loosen presser foot screw (1) and remove
presser foot with shank (2), guiding it toward
you and to the right.
• To replace presser foot with shank, hook
shank around the presser bar and tighten
presser footscrew with the use of a coin.
Attaching the feed cover (F)
The feed cover is used to keep the feed from
moving the fabric when attaching a button,
darning or sewing free-motion embroidery. To
attach it, follow the directions below:
• Raise needle and presser foot.
• Open slide plate.
• Slide feed cover on top of needle plate,
pressing tabs (1) and (2) into holes.
• Close slide plate.
• To remove, open slide plate and lift front
edge of cover; pull it away.

13
Changing snap-on presser feet
(B), (D), (J), (L)
• Raise needle to its highest position by turn-
ing hand wheel toward you.
• Raise presser foot using presser foot lifter at
back of machine.
•Push toe of presser foot (1) up, until it
snaps off the shank (2).
•Remove foot from machine.
• Place new foot under centre of shank.
•Lower presser foot litter, fitting shank over
presser foot pin (3).
•Don't turn screw. Instead, push presser foot
screw (4) down, firmly until foot snaps into
place.

14
Fabric, thread and needle table
The needle and thread you choose will depend upon the fabric being sewn. The table below
is a practical guide to needle and thread selection. Always refer to it before beginning a
sewing project. Be sure to use the same size and type of thread in both needle and bobbin.
The fabrics below can be of any fiber: cotton, linen, silk, wool,
synthetic rayon, blends. They are listed as examples of weight.
Light Weight
Medium Weight
Medium Heavy
Knits
Fabrics
Batiste
Chiffon
Crepe
Organza
Voile
Corduroy
Flannel
Gabardine
Gingham
Linen
Muslin
Wool Crepe
Canvas
Coating
Denim
Duck
Sailcloth
Upholstery
Single Knits
Double Knit
Jersey
Tricot
Thread
Cotton-wrapped
Polyester Core
100% Polyester (Extra Fine)
• Mercerized Size 50
Nylon
Cotton-wrapped
Polyester
100% Polyester
•Mercerized Size 50
Nylon
Cotton-wrapped
Polyester
100% Polyester
• Mercerized Size 40
• "Heavy Duty"
Cotton-wrapped
Polyester
100% Polyester
Nylon
2020
2020
2020
2020
Thread Size
Needles
11/80
14 /90
16/100
18/110
Ball-Point 2045
Size 11/80, 14/100,
16/110
• Not recommended on stretch fabrics.

15
Inserting a bobbin
• Raise presser foot.
• Turn hand wheel toward you until needle is
in its highest position.
• Open slide plate and remove empty bobbin.
1. Pull 4" (10 cm) of thread from replacement
bobbin and insert bobbin into case, as
shown.
2. Holding bobbin in place, guide thread into
notch (1) and then down the slot to the left
and guide around into notch (2).
3. Draw several inches of thread diagonally
across the bobbin toward the back of the
machine.
4. While holding thread on outside, close the
slide plate, allowing thread to extend
through the slot between the slide plate
and needle plate.

16
Winding a bobbin
Winding a bobbin is quick and easy when you follow the directions below. Always wind the
bobbin before threading the machine and needle.
• Push in indent (1) on hand wheel disc This will stop the needle from moving.
• Place spool of thread on spool pin.
• Slide spool cap (2) firmly over rim of spool to prevent thread tangling.
• Lead thread from spool and snap into thread guide post (3).
• Wind thread clockwise around front of bobbin winder tension disc (4).
• Pass thread end, from inside, through small hole in rim of bobbin.
• Place bobbin on spindle and push it to the right
• Holding thread end, step on speed controller to run machine until desired amount of thread
is wound. (Winding stops automatically once bobbin is full).
• Cut thread; push bobbin to the left and remove it from spindle.
• Trim thread end from top of bobbin.
• Return hand wheel disc to sewing position by pressing on side opposite indent.

17
Threading the machine
•Raise take-up lever to highest position
by turning hand wheel toward you.
• Raise presser foot to release thread
tension.
• Place spool of thread on spool pin.
• Slide spool cap firmly over rim of spool
to prevent thread tangling.
• Lead thread from spool and snap into
thread guide (1) and with only one
hand pass the thread under the guide
and through the slot, as illustrated (2).
• Thread the tension discs by leading the
thread down and around the tension
(3). Hold the spool lightly and pull the
thread up, lifting the spring and allow-
ing the thread to slip into thread guard.
• Slip thread into take-up lever as illus-
trated (4).
•Pass thread through guides (5) and
(6).
•Thread needle from front to back,
pulling 4" (10 cm) of thread through
eye (7).

18
Raising the bobbin thread
1. Hold needle thread loosely with left hand.
• Turn hand wheel slowly toward you, lower-
ing needle into hole in plate.
2. Continue to do this until needle rises above
needle plate.
•Pull gently on needle thread and bring up
bobbin thread in a loop.
3. Open loop with fingers to find end of bob-
bin thread.
4. Draw needle thread through left side open-
ing in presser foot.
• Pull both threads to back of machine.

19
Adjusting thread tension
(For straight stitching)
Aperfect, well balanced stitch (1), will have
the needle and bobbin threads locked
between the two layers of fabric with no loops
on top or bottom and no puckering.
Too much tension will produce a tight stitch
(2) which will cause the fabric to pucker.
• To decrease tension, turn the dial to a lower
number.
Too little tension will produce a loose stitch
(3) which will cause loops in your seam.
• To increase tension, turn the dial to a higher
number.
Adjusting thread tension
(For zig zag stitching)
The correct tension setting will produce a
smooth even stitch (1).
Too much tension will produce a tight stitch
(2), causing fabric to pucker. Loosen tension
by turning dial to a lower number.
Too little tension will produce a loose stitch
(3), causing loops in your pattern. Tighten
tension by turning dial to a higher number.

20
Sewing a seam
You can sew seams easily and accurately
when you follow the suggestions below.
Placing fabric under foot
Most fabrics can be placed under the foot by
raising the presser foot lifter (1) to its normal
"Up" position (2), where it locks in place,
When using bulky fabric, multiple fabric lay-
ers, or an embroidery hoop, raise the lifter to
the high rise position (3), thus increasing the
space between the foot and the needle plate.
• Lower presser foot lifter all the way down
and you are ready to sew.
Basting
Pin basting and hand basting are easy ways
to make temporary seams before machine
sewing.
• To pin baste, insert pins at stitching line.
NEVER place pins on the underside of fab-
ric in contact with the feed. Do not sew over
pins; pull them out as you stitch.
• To hand baste, make long stitches that can
be easily removed.