SOLAC SW8240 User manual

MOD.
SW8240
Solac is a registered Trade Mark
SEWING MACHINE
INSTRUCTIONS FOR USE

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English
SEWING MACHINE
SW8240
Dear customer,
- Many thanks for choosing to purchase a SOLAC brand product.
- Thanks to its technology, design and operation and the fact that it ex-
ceeds the strictest quality standards, a fully satisfactory use and long
product life can be assured.
- Read these instructions carefully before switching on the appliance
and keep them for future reference. Failure to follow and observe
these instructions could lead to an accident.
SAFETY ADVICE AND WARNINGS
- This appliance can be used by children aged
from 8 years and above and persons with re-
duced physical, sensory or mental capabilities
or lack of experience and knowledge if they
have been given supervision or instruction
concerning use of the appliance in a safe way
and understand the hazards involved.
- This appliance is not a toy. Children should be
supervised to ensure that they do not play with
the appliance.
- Cleaning and user maintenance shall not be
made by children unless they are supervised.
- Switch off or unplug the appliance when lea-
ving it unattended.
- Unplug the appliance before carrying out main-
tenance or replacing lamps.
- -
tric connector provided.
- If the connection to the mains has been da-
maged, it must be replaced, call the customer
service telephone number indicated in the
guarantee sheet. Do not attempt to disassem-
ble or repair the appliance by yourself in order
to avoid a hazard.
- Ensure that the voltage indicated on the rating label matches the
mains voltage before plugging in the appliance.
- Connect the appliance to a socket that can supply a minimum of 10
amperes.
-
alter the plug. Do not use plug adaptors.
- Do not force the power cord. Never use the power cord to lift up, carry
or unplug the appliance.
- Do not wrap the power cord around the appliance.
- Do not clip or crease the power cord.
- Check the state of the power cord. Damaged or tangled cables increa-
se the risk of electric shock.
- Do not touch the plug with wet hands.
- Do not use the appliance if the cable or plug is damaged.
- If any of the appliance casings breaks, immediately disconnect the
appliance from the mains to prevent the possibility of an electric
shock.
-
signs of damage or if it has a leak.
- Keep the working area clean and well lit. Cluttered and dark areas
invite accidents.
-
- Do not use or store the appliance outdoors.
- Do not leave the appliance out in the rain or exposed to moisture.
If water gets into the appliance, this will increase the risk of electric
shock.
- Do not touch any of the appliance’s moving parts while it is operating.
Use and care:
-
- Do not use the appliance if the accessories attached to it are defecti-
ve. Replace them immediately.
- Never run the machine when there’s thread in the needle, but no fabric
on the machine. This could damage the machine.
- Always keep your hands away from the needle, hand wheel, upper
thread tension dial and pattern selection dial when the appliance is
running.
-
the sewing machine needle.
- Never sew with a damaged needle plate as this can cause needle to
break.
- Do not use bent needles
-
causing it to break.
- Never drop or insert any object into any opening.
- Do not use the appliance if the on/off switch does not work.
- Use the appliance handle/s, to catch it or move it.
- Disconnect the appliance from the mains when not in use and before
undertaking any cleaning task.
- Unplug the appliance from the mains before replacing any accessory.
- This appliance is for household use only, not professional, industrial
use.
- Store this appliance out of reach of children and/or persons with physi-
cal, sensory or reduced mental or lack of experience and knowledge.
- Keep the appliance in a dry, dust-free place, out of direct sunlight.
- Make sure that dust, dirt or other foreign objects do not block the fan
grill on the appliance.
- Keep the appliance in good condition. Check that the moving parts are
not misaligned or jammed and make sure there are no broken parts or
anomalies that may prevent the appliance from operating correctly.
- Use the appliance and its accessories and tools in accordance with
these instructions, taking into account the working conditions and the
work to be performed. Use the appliance for operations different from
those intended could result in a hazardous situation.
- Never leave the appliance unattended while in use.
Service:
- Make sure that the appliance is serviced only by specialist personnel,
and that only original spare parts or accessories are used to replace
existing parts/accessories.
- Any misuse or failure to follow the instructions for use renders the
guarantee and the manufacturer’s liability null and void.
Description
1 Reverse stitch lever
2 Pattern selector dial
3 Stitch length dial
4 Bobin winder stopper
5 Bobbin winder spindle
6 Spook pins
7 Bobbin winder thread guide
8 Thread guide
9 Thread take up lever
10 thread tension dial
11 Face plate
12 Thread cutter
13 Presser foot holder
14 Needle plate
15 Front cover
16 Carrying handle
17 Hand wheel
18 Belt cover
19 Power switch
20 Cord socket
21 Needle camp screw
22 Press foot lifter
23 Extension table (Accesory box)
24 Cover

- If the model of your appliance does not have the accessories de-
scribed above, they can also be bought separately from the Technical
Assistance Service.
Instructions for use
Before use:
- Make sure that all the product’s packaging has been removed.
- Some parts of the appliance have been lightly greased. Consequently,
After a short time, this smoke will disappear.
- Prepare the appliance according to the function you wish to use:
Getting ready to sew
Connect the machine to the power supply
- Before connecting the power, make sure the voltage and frequency of
your electrical power conform to the machine. Make sure the power
switch is in the “off” position. Fit the nonreversible plug into the cord
socket and plug the machine in to the power supply.
- Then turn the power switch on
Foot control.
- Sewing speed can be varied the foot control.
- The harder you press on the control; the faster machine runs.
Extension table (accessory box)
Extension table:
- The extension table provides added sewing surface and can be easily
removed for free arm sewing.
For free arm sewing:
- The extension table provides added sewing surface and can be easily
removed for free arm sewing.
For attaching table:
-
Accessory box.
Sewing accessories are conveniently stored under the extension
table.
To snap on and snap off the presser foot
To snap off:
- Turn the hand wheel toward you to raise the needle to its highest
position. Raise the presser foot
- Press the lever on the back of the foot holder.
- The presser foot will drop off.
To snap on:
- Place the presser foot so the pin on the foot lies just under the groove
of the holder.
- Lower the foot holder to lock the foot foot in place.
Changing needle chart:

1- Raise the needle by turning hand wheel toward you and lower the
presser foot.
2- Rotate the needle clamp screw toward you (counter-clockwise) to
loosen the needle
3- Remove the needle from the clamp
from you
5- When inserting the needle into the clamp, push it up as far as it will
go.
- Note: Check you needles frequently for barbed or blunted points.
and are almost always caused by damaged needle.
Thread and needle chart
- Use the standard needles. The size of your needle should match the
size of the thread and both should match the fabric.
- For normal sewing, the same size and type of thread should be used
in the bobbin as on the upper part of the machine
Never use a bent of dull needle.
Kind Fabric Threads Needle Size
Light
Weight
Crepe de chine,
Voile Lawn,
Organdy,
Georgette,
Tricot
Fine Silk,
Fine Cotton,
Fine Synthetic,
Fine Cotton Cov-
ered Polyester
9 or 11
Medium
weight
Lines,
Cotton,
Pique,
Serge,
Double knits,
Percale
50Silk,
50~80 Cotton,
50~60 Synthetic,
Cotton Covered
Polyester
11 or 14
Heavy
Weight
Denim,
Tweed,
Gabardine,
Coating,
Drapery and
Upholstery
Fabric
50 Silk,
40~50 Cotton,
40~50 Synthetic,
Cotton Covered
Polyester
14 or 16
Setting Spool Pins:
- The spool pins are used for holding the spool of thread in order to feed
thread to the machine.
- To use, pull up the spool pin, Push down for storage
- NOTE: In case of using thread which has tendency to tangle around
the spool pin, thread through the hole of spool pin as shown. The hole
should face to the thread spool.
Removing or replace the bobbin case:
Refer to remove the Extension table, raise the needle by turning
the hand wheel toward you, then open the shuttle cover.
- Take out bobbin case holding the latch.
- When inserting the bobbin case, place the horn into the recess of the
shuttle race.
- Caution: Be sure to disconnect the power supply before operating the
machine
Winding the bobbin :
1- Draw the thread from spool. Guide the thread around the bobbin
winder thread guide. Insert the thread through one of holes in the bob-
bin from the inside to the outside. Put the bobbin on the bobbin winder
spindle.
2- Pull out the hand wheel.
3- Push the bobbin case to the right. With the free end of the thread
held in your hand, depress the foot control. Stop the machine when it
has made a few turns, and cut the thread close to the hole in the bob-
bin. Depress the foot control again.
- When the bobbin is fully wound, it will stop automatically.
- Return the bobbin winder to its original position by moving the spindle
to the left, and cut the thread. Push back the hand wheel.
Threading bobbin case
1- Place the bobbin into bobbin case. Make sure the thread unwinds in
the direction of arrow.
2- Pull the thread into bobbin case slot.
3- Draw the thread under the tension spring and into the delivery eye.
Leave about 10cm (4 inches) of free thread.
Threading the machine

1- Raise take-up lever to its highest position by turning hand wheel
toward you. Raise presser foot.
2- Place spool on spool pin as shown, with thread coming from the back
of the spool.
3- Draw thread into thread guide using both hands.
4- Draw thread down into the tension area and around the check spring
holder.
5- Fimly draw thread up and through take-up lever from right to left.
6- Then draw thread down and slip it into the lower thread guide.
7- Draw thread down and slip it into needle bar thread guide.
Thread needle eye from front to back.
- NOTE: You may want to cut the end of thread with sharp scissors for
easier needle threading.
Drawing up bobbin case:
1-Raise the presser foot and hold the needle thread lightly with you left
hand.
2-Turn the hand wheel slowly towards you with your right hand until the
needle goes down and continue turning the hand wheel until the take-up
lever is at its highest position. Lightly draw up the needle thread forming
a loop of the bobbin thread.
3-Pull 15cm (6 inches) of both thread back and under the presser foot.
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- The needletop thread and the bobbin thread should interlock in the
center of two layers of fabric in straight seams.
- Set the desired number of the thread tension dial at setting mark.
- Tighten the needle thread tension by moving the dial to a higher
number.
- Loosen the needle thread tension by moving the dial to a lower num-
ber.
- NOTE: In order to obtain better zigzag stitches, the upper thread
tension should be slightly weaker than the bobbin thread tension. That
means, the upper thread should appear slightly on the reverse side of
the fabric, but the bobbin thread cannot appear on the top side of the
fabric.
Reverse stitch button:
- As long as you are pressing down this lever while sewing, the machine
will continue to feed the fabric backwards.
Seam guide line
- The numbers on the needle plate indicate the distance between the
center needle position and the line.
- The numbers in the front indicate in Millimeters.
- The numbers in the back indicate in inches.
Dropping the feed dogs:

- For dropping the feed dogs, press down lever and move it to the direc-
tion of arrow as illustrated.
- To raise the feed dogs, press down the lever and move it to the direc-
tion or arrow as illustrated.
-Feed dogs must always be up for normal sewing.
Pattern selector dial
- Raise the needle above the fabric and select the desired pattern at the
setting mark by turning the pattern selector dial.
Selecting stretch stitch patterns:
- When sewing stretch, set the stitch length dial at “SS”.
- When forward and reverse feeds become unbalanced depending upon
the type of fabric, correct the hand as follows.
- When patterns are compressed, correct it by turning the dial toward
“+”. When patterns are drawn out, correct it by turning the dial
toward”-”.
Stitch length dial
- The higher the number, the longer the stitch length. You can select the
suitable stitch length for most fabric.
Basic Sewing
Straight stitch sewing:
- Raise the presser foot and position the fabric next to a stitching guide
line on the needle plate. Lower the needle into the fabric.
- Lower the presser foot and smooth the thread
- towards the back. Depress the foot control. Gently guide the fabric
along the guide line letting the fabric feed by itself.
- or fastening the ends of seams, press the reverse stitch button and
sew several reverse stitches.
- Raise the presser foot and remove the fabric, drawing the threads to
back.
- The threads are cut the proper length for starting the next seam.
To change the sewing directions:
- Stop the machine and turn the hand wheel toward you to bring the
needle down into the fabric. Raise the presser foot.
- Pivot the fabric around the needle to change
- sewing direction as desired. Lower the presser foot and continue
sewing.

Zigzag stitching:
- Simple zigzag stitching is widely used for overcastting, sewing on
buttons etc.
Utility Stitching:
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- This type of stitch is used on the seam allowance to prevent fabrics
from fraying at raw edges.
Overedge stitch: (stitch e)
- Overedge stitch will be done most successfuly when the right-side
stitches of zigzag fall slightly off the edge of the fabric.
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- Place the fabric under the presser foot so that the edge will be slightly
inside the right-hand side of the presser foot.
- Guide the work so the right-hand stitches fall at the edge of the fabric.
Triple strength stitch:
- The stitch is sewn with two stitches forward and one stitch backward
forming a seam that does not rip easily.
-
Sewing buttons:
-
the drop feed lever to the original position.
- A pin can be placed on top of the foot to form a shank.
- Set the pattern selector at “B”. Align the both holes of the button with
the slot of the foot and place the left hole of the button just below the
needle point. Lower the foot and turn the pattern selector until the
needle point comes just above the right hole of the button. Sew about
sew a few stitches to lock thread.
- To strengthen the shank, cut the threads leaving a 20 cm (8 inches)
tail.
- Bring the needle thread down through the hole in the button and wind
it around the shank.
- Draw the thread to the wrong side and knot.
Buttonhole:
Replace the buttonhole foot.
*Before you sew the actual buttonholes on the actual garment, make
several practice buttonholes on a fabric sample.
*Use interfacing on stretch fabrics.
A - A. Select, draw both thread to the left under the foot. Insert the
garment under the foot.
B - Lower the needle at the starting point. then lower the buttonhole
foot.
C - Sew the required length of the left side of buttonhole ant stop the
machine.
D - Raise the needle to its highest position by turning the hand wheel,
then select.
E - D. Raise the needle to its highest position and select , sew the
right side of buttonhole the same length as the left side and stop the
machine.
G - Raise the presser foot and draw out the fabric, cut both needle and
bobbin threads leaving about 10cm of thread ends loose.
H - Place a pin on the rear side of the bartack position so that you do
not need to worry about.

Tips:
- Slightly reduce the upper tension to produce better results.
-
- We recommend placing a pin across the end of the buttonhole as a
precaution against cutting the stitches with the seam ripper.
- It is advisable to use gimp cord for stretch or knit fabrics. The zigzag
should sew over the gimp.
- The lines on the buttonhole foot can be used guides when sewing
multiple buttonholes.
1. Lift the presser foot, pull the gimp cord and come around the
protruding point on back of the buttonhole foot.
2. Pull the gimp cord under the foot to the front.
3. Fix the gimp cord to the protruding point on front of foot.
4. Turn the needle down to the starting position on fabric, put down the
presser foot.
5.Sew the buttonhole according to page 15.
6.Pull the gimp cord straightly.
7.Cut the gimp cord.
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Pin or baste zipper tape to fabric and place it under the foot. Smooth the
threads toward the back and lower the foot.
- To sew left side of the zipper, guide the edge of the zipper along the
zipper teeth and stitch through garment and zipper tape.
- Turn the fabric and sew the other side of the zipper in the same way
as you.
Blind stitch hemming
Fold up the fabric as illustrated.
Lower the presser foot, then loosen the foot holder screw to place the
hem guide between the screw and the shank of foot holder. Tighten the
screw making sure the wall of hem guide is placed in the middle of the
toes of the presser foot.
- Raise the presser foot and place the fabric under the foot so that the
soft fold rests against the wall of hem guide.
- Lower the foot, then stitch slowly for better for better control so that
the zigzag stitches fall on the hen allowance and pierce the soft fold.
While sewing, make sure the soft fold runs along the wall of hem
guide.
-

DECORATIVE STITCHING
Shell tuck
- Place the folded edge along the slot of foot. the needle should fall off
the edge of the fabric on the right forming a tuck.
Stretch stitch patterns
When forward and reverse feeds become unbalance depending
upon the type of fabric, correct the balance by turning the stitch
length dial as follows:
- When patterns are compressed, correct it by turning the dial toward
“+”.
- When patterns are draw out, correct it by turning the dial toward “-”.
Decorative satin stitch patterns
- Sew a row of stitches and adjust the thread tension so the upper
thread should appear on the reverse side of the fabric.
- Test the stitch on actual fabric for the best results.
Smocking
- With the stitch length “4”, sew straight stitching; lines 3/8 apart across
the area to be smocked. Knot the threads along one edge, pull the
bobbin threads and distribute the gathers evenly.
- Secure the thread at the other end.
- Sew the decorative stitch between the gathering stitches. Pull out the
gathering stitches.
- NOTE: Loosen the top thread tension to make gathering easier.
Box stitching
- Use this stitch to join heavy weight interlining.
- Overlap two raw edges together and use this stitch to join them.
- Turn the appliance off, using the on/off switch.
- Stop the appliance using the on/off switch.
- Unplug the appliance from the mains.
- Put the cable back in the cable housing.
- Clean the appliance.
Carry handle/s:
- This appliance has a handle on the upper part of the body, which
facilitates comfortable transportation.
Safety thermal protector:
- The appliance has a safety device, which protects the appliance from
overheating.
- If the appliance turns itself off and does not switch itself on again,
disconnect it from the mains supply, and wait for approximately 15
minutes before reconnecting. If the machine does not start again seek
authorised technical assistance.
Cleaning
- Disconnect the appliance from the mains and allow it to cool before
undertaking any cleaning task.
- Clean the equipment with a damp cloth with a few drops of was-
hing-up liquid and then dry.
- Do not use solvents, or products with an acid or base pH such as
bleach, or abrasive products, for cleaning the appliance.
- Do not let water or any other liquid get into the air vents to avoid
damage to the inner parts of the appliance.
- Never submerge the appliance in water or any other liquid or place it
under running water.

Changing the bulb/s:
- Disconnect the appliance from the mains and allow it to cool before
undertaking any bulb changing operation.
- The sewing light is located behind the face place.
- To change the bulb, take the face plate off the sewing machine by
removing the set screw. .
- To remove: push and twist to the left.
- To replace: Push and twist to the right.
- The bulb must be replaced by a new one with same reference code
and power.
- Caution: While handling the bulb, do not touch the glass directly as
paper.
CARE OF YOUR MACHINE
Dismantling and assembling shuttle race
To dismantle the shuttle race and oil the shuttle race
- Raise the needle to its highest position and open the shuttle cover.
1. Open the hinged latch of the bobbin case and take it out of the machi-
ne.
2. Open the shuttle race cover holders.
3. Remove the shuttle race cover.
4. Remove the shuttle.
5. Clean the shuttle race with a brush and soft dry cloth.
6. Before assembling the shuttle race, oil the shuttle race using a few
- Note: Use oil sparingly as over oiling will cause it to leak onto your
fabric.
- Note: Use oil sparingly as over oiling will cause it to leak onto your
fabric.
- Note: In case the machine does not work smoothly due to standing
idle for some time, apply a few drops of kerosene at the oiling point,
and turn the machine rapidly for a minute.
- Note: When the machine is does working 4-8 hours or there is abnor-
mal noise, apply 2-3 drops of sewing machine oil at the oiling point.
To assembling the shuttle race:
shuttle race, forming a perfect circle with the shuttle driver.
the notch.
3. Lock the shuttle race cover holders by turning the holders back into
position.
4. Insert the bobbin case.
- CAUTION: Be sure to disconnect the power supply before operating
the machine.
Cleaning the feed dogs:
- Remove the needle and the presser foot.
- Remove the needle plate set screws and remove the needle plate.
- With a brush, clean out dust and lint clogging on the feed dog teeth.
Reset the needle plate.
Drive belt tension
screws about one turn with a screwdriver.
-
tighten the screw, making sure the belt has the correct tension.
- CAUTION: Do not tighten the belt too tightly.
- CAUTION: Be sure to disconnect the power supply before operating
the machine.

Oiling the machine
Remove the face cover
- 1. Face cover screw
- 2. Face cover
- -
or three times a year.
- In case the machine does not work smoothly due to standing idle for
some time, apply a few drops of kerosene at the oiling point, and turn
the machine rapidly for a minute.
- Before oiling, wipe off oiling points.
Supplies
- Supplies can be acquired from distributors and authorised establish-
- Only the following type of supplies must be used with the appliance.
- Lamp type: E14, Max: 15 W
- These supplies are available in specialist shops.
Anomalies and repair
- In case of breakdown call the customer service telephone number
indicated in the guarantee sheet. Do not attempt to disassemble or
repair the appliance yourself as this may be dangerous.
For EU product versions and/or in case that it is requested in your
country:
Ecology and recyclability of the product
- The materials of which the packaging of this appliance consists are
you wish to dispose of them, use the appropriate public recycling bins
for each type of material.
- The product does not contain concentrations of substances that could
be considered harmful to the environment.
This symbol means that in case you wish to dispose of the
product once its working life has ended, take it to an authorised
waste agent for the selective collection of Waste from Electric
and Electronic Equipment (WEEE).
This appliance complies with Directive 2014/35/EU on Low Voltage, Di-
rective 2014/30/EU on Electromagnetic Compatibility, Directive 2011/65/
EU on the restrictions of the use of certain hazardous substances in
electrical and electronic equipment and Directive 2009/125/EC on the
ecodesign requirements for energy-related products.

TROBLESHOOTING:
Troble Causes Soultion
Top thread broken
1.Improper top threading.
2.Excessively tight top tension.
3.Blunt or bend needle.
5.At start of sewing, top thread and bottom thread
6.The thread is unsuitable
1.Threading the top thread again.
2.Adjust the top tension.
3.Replace the needle.
4.Reinstall the needle.
5.Proper operation.
6.Replace the proper thread.
bobbin thread broken
1.The bobbin thread is not correctly threaded into
bobbin case.
3.The bobbin is damaged and impossible to smooth-
ly rotate.
Thread the bobbin thread again.
Clean the shuttle race.
3.Replace the bobbin.
Needle broken 3.The needle clamp screw is loosening. 4.Excessive-
ly tight top tension.
5.Too thin needle.
1.Reinstall the needle.
2. Replace the needle.
3.Tight the needle clamp screw.
4.Adjust the top tension.
5.Replace the proper needle.
Skipping stitches
2.Blunt or bend needle.
3.The needle and (or) thread is unsuitable for the
used fabric.
4.Improper top threading.
5.The needle is unsuitable.
1.Reinstall the needle.
2.Replace the needle.
3.Replace the proper needle and thread.
4.Threading the top thread again.
5.Replace the proper needle.
Seam puckering
1.Excessively tight top tension.
2.Improper top threading.
3.Excessively thick top thread for the used fabric.
1.Adjust the top tension.
2.Threading the top thread again.
3.Replace the proper thread.
Unsmooth feed 1.Feed dog is wound by thread.
2.Thread jams.
1.Clean the feed dog.
2.Clean the clamping thread.
Not run of machine
1.Not surely inserting power plug.
2.Clamping thread at shuttle race.
3.Failure to replace the bobbin winder shaft at origi-
nal position after winding bobbin.
1.Check the power connector.
2.Clean the clamping thread.
3.Push the bobbin winder shaft to original
position.
Thread jaming
1.The presser foot lifter is not lower down when
sewing.
2.Improper top threading.
3.Improper bobbin threading.
1.Lower down the presser foot lifter.
2.Threading the top thread again.
3.Threading the bobbin thread again.