Harbor Freight Tools 38020 User Manual

MINI SEWING MACHINE - Model #38020

THANK YOU for choosing a HARBOR FREIGHT TOOLS product! For future reference, please complete the owner’s
record below:

Model: ______________ Purchase Date: ______________

SAVE THE RECEIPT AND THESE INSTRUCTIONS. It is important that you read this entire manual to become familiar with

the unit BEFORE you begin sewing.

Technical Specifications Parts Diagram

Model: Mini Sewing Machine

SKU #: 38020

Maximum Fabric Thickness: 1/4”

Thread Type: #50-90 cotton thread

Type of Needle: DHX-14

Product Use: Mend unexpected rips and tears in garments,

stitch curtains and drapes without removing them from the

window, easily sew on zippers, sew hems quickly, design and

sew handkerchiefs, aprons, pillow cases and clothes.

Parts List

It is important to know your product’s parts and features to assure
its proper assembly and safe use. Please review this list before
using your Mini Sewing Machine.

Part # NAME Pcs. Part # NAME Pcs.

1 Cover 1 9 Arm 1
2 Push Plate 1 10 Cord Leader 1
3 Needle Plate 1 11 Swing Plate 1
4 Cloth Plate 1 12 Thread Wheel 1
5 Needle Frame 1 13 Thread Clamp 1
6 Frame 1 14 Rear Thread Guide 1
7 Cloth Feeder 1 15 Front Thread Guide 1
8 Support Bar 1 16 Needle Screw 1

Unpacking

Unpack and check contents. If any parts are missing or broken, please call HARBOR FREIGHT TOOLS at 1-800-444-3353. Make sure
you have all parts described in the Parts List above. The shipping box should contain:

✔ One (1) fully assembled Mini Sewing Machine ✔ This Instruction manual
✔ One (1) Extra Needle ✔One (1) Needle Threader
✔ One (1) Thread Spool Adapter

IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS!

READ ALL INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE USING THIS TOOL!

Work Area: TO AVOID RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY AND EQUIPMENT MAKE SURE YOUR WORK AREA IS:

√ Free of dampness √ Free of children (never let them handle the Mini Sewing Machine)
√ Well-lit √ Clean and uncluttered

Operation: COMMON SENSE AND CAUTION CANNOT BE BUILT INTO ANY PRODUCT. THESE FACTORS MUST BE SUPPLIED BY THE OPERATOR.

P

LEASE REMEMBER:

√ Stay alert. Never operate equipment if you are tired.
√ Do not operate the product if under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Read warning labels on prescriptions to determine if your

Thread Clamp

Cloth Feeder

Swing Plate

Cord Leader

Cover

Frame

Arm

Support Bar

Push Plate

Needle Frame

Needle Plate

Front Thread Guide

Rear Thread Guide

Thread Wheel

Cloth Plate

Needle Screw

38020 RevisedMan.p65 10/30/03, 10:47 AM1

Operation (Continued)

judgment/reflexes might be impaired. √ Always be aware of how your fingers are positioned. Make sure they are clear
of the needle at all times. √ Do not wear loose clothing or jewelry as they can be caught in moving parts.
√ Wear restrictive hair covering to contain long hair. √ Do not try to use inappropriate attachments in an attempt to

exceed the machine’s capacity. Approved accessories or replacement parts are available from H

ARBOR FREIGHT TOOLS.

√ Check for damaged parts. Before using any tool, any part that appears damaged should be carefully checked to determine that
it will operate properly and perform its intended function. √ Check for alignment and binding of all moving parts, broken

parts or mounting fixtures and any other condition that may affect proper operation. Any part that is damaged should be properly

repaired by a qualified technician. √ Never force the tool or attachment to do the work of a larger industrial model.

IF THERE IS ANY QUESTION ABOUT A CONDITION BEING SAFE OR UNSAFE, DO NOT OPERATE THE TOOL.

Assembly

The Mini Sewing Machine comes fully assembled. However, before using, make sure that all parts are tight and secure.

Holding the Mini Sewing Machine

1. Cradle the Cover (#1) in your palm and four fingers of your right or left hand.

2. Place the thumb of your other hand on the top of the Push Plate (#2).

3. Hold the sewing machine securely.

Threading

1. Pull thread out of Spool on Thread Wheel (#12).

2. Thread through Rear Thread Guide (#14).

3. Place thread in groove at top of circular Thread Clamp (#13).

4. Thread through Front Thread Guide (#15) and put down the thread temporarily.

5. Insert the wire end of the Needle Threader through the eye of the needle.

6. Insert thread through the wire end of the Needle Threader.

7. Pull Needle Threader back through the eye of the needle until about 3/4-1-1/4” of thread is
pulled through. Temporarily place end of thread under the Cloth Plate (#4).

Positioning Fabric

1. Lift the Cloth Plate (#4), place the fabric (maximum thickness = 1/4”) underneath, then release Cloth Plate, securing the fabric to
the Needle Plate (#3).

Sewing

1. Hold fabric in one hand and sewing machine with the other. Press the cover of the machine all the way down lightly and

quickly. It will feel and sound like using a stapler.

2. The machine advances the fabric through the machine automatically.

3. As you repeat the stapling action, continue to push the fabric through the machine until sewing is finished.

To Adjust the Width of Stitches

The Mini Sewing Machine is designed to advance fabric automatically and create uniform distance between stitches. However:

√ IF THE STITCHES ARE TOO CLOSE TOGETHER - slightly turn the Thread Clamp (#13) counterclockwise or pull the fabric

through the machine FASTER as you staple. √ IF THE STITCHES ARE TOO FAR APART- slightly turn the Thread Clamp

clockwise or pull the fabric through the machine SLOWER as you staple.

Finishing

1. Cut the thread with scissors. (Do not attempt to sever the thread by hand as it could damage the needle or loosen the

stitching. Take the fabric out from under the Pressing Board. Tie each end of the thread in the fabric into a knot to secure the
stitching.

Changing to a Larger Spool of Thread

1. Loosen the nut on the Thread Wheel (#12) and remove old spool. Screw on adapter (shaft with flat plastic cover). After
removing the flat plastic cover, slide new spool over the adapter. Replace plastic cover.

Changing the Needle

1. Using a regular screwdriver, loosen the Needle Screw (#16). Remove the old needle and insert the new needle. Position so
the flat face of the needle faces toward the front and the back. Tighten Needle Screw.

Made in China.

#38020 Page 2

Needle Threader

Needle

38020 RevisedMan.p65 10/30/03, 10:47 AM2