Your SINGER HD6605 Heavy Duty
Singer's instructions rewritten in plain English, with every setting kept exactly as Singer intended, and with tips from our team added along the way. Stuck on something? Ask the Live Sewing Advisor at any point.
This manual covers the HD6605 and the HD6605 Black edition - the same machine in a different colour.
This manual applies to UK spec machines.
Important - please read: getting the best out of your machine
The questions our customers ask us most - worth two minutes before you start.
- 💡Raising the feed teeth again
Move the feed teeth lever at the back of the free arm back to the up position, then turn the handwheel towards you one full turn (or just start sewing). They won’t come up until you do. - 💡Needle position is on the stitch width buttons
On straight stitch, the stitch width buttons move the needle left or right instead. 3.5 is the centre position. - 💡Only use SINGER Class 15 transparent bobbins
The same type that came with the machine. Other bobbins are a common cause of thread breaking and the machine not running. - ⚡Switch off before you thread or change anything
Turn the power switch to O (off) before threading, changing the needle or foot, or taking out the bobbin. - 📦Keep the box and packaging
Please keep the box and packaging for your machine, should it ever need to be sent away for servicing or repair. - 🔄Stitching problems? Rethread first
If you ever have an issue with stitching, tension, looping or jamming, the first thing to do is rethread the machine. If the issue persists, change the needle and bobbin, clean out the bobbin area, and make sure no thread is stuck anywhere in the thread path or in the bobbin area. If you have tried all of these and are still having issues, please do get in touch with our support team. - 🧹Keep the bobbin area clean
We recommend you clean out your bobbin area with a brush or cotton bud every 4 to 6 bobbin changes, to keep your machine free of lint and debris. - 🔄Change your needle
To keep your machine stitching perfectly, we recommend changing your needle every 6 to 8 hours of sewing. We supply needles in different sizes and for different types of materials - including stretch, jeans/denim, leather, and multiple sizes of universal needles to suit the weight of the fabric. - 🧵Use good thread
Always try to use good quality branded threads such as Gutermann, Coats, Hemline or Mettler. Avoid non-branded threads, such as ones found in supermarkets or on some online marketplaces. - ✅Use the correct bobbin
With very few exceptions, Singer machines use Class 15 plastic bobbins. Always use the type that came with your machine - we recommend genuine bobbins only. Even slight differences in bobbin size or weight can cause the machine not to stitch correctly. - ⚙Let the machine feed the fabric
Modern machines have extremely good feeding mechanisms, designed to pull the fabric through the machine for you. Try to avoid pulling the fabric through to the point of bending the needle, as this can cause the needle to strike the bobbin case or needle plate. - 💬We are here to help
Always feel free to message us for help and advice on how to get the best out of your machine.
Getting to know your machine
Important safety instructions
When using any electrical appliance, basic safety precautions should always be followed, including the ones below. Read all the instructions before using this sewing machine, keep them somewhere handy near the machine, and pass them on if the machine is given to someone else.
DANGER - to reduce the risk of electric shock
- Never leave the machine unattended while it is plugged in. The socket the machine is plugged into should be easy to reach.
- Always unplug the machine from the socket straight after use, and before cleaning, removing covers, lubricating or making any other adjustment mentioned in this manual.
WARNING - to reduce the risk of burns, fire, electric shock or injury
- Do not let the machine be used as a toy. Take close care when it is used by or near children.
- Only use the machine for its intended purpose, as described in this manual. Only use attachments recommended by the manufacturer, as listed in this manual.
- Never use the machine if the cord or plug is damaged, if it is not working properly, or if it has been dropped, damaged or dropped into water. Take it to your nearest authorised dealer or service centre to be examined, repaired or adjusted, electrically or mechanically.
- Never use the machine with any of its air openings blocked. Keep the ventilation openings of the machine and the foot control free from lint, dust and loose cloth.
- Keep your fingers away from all moving parts. Take special care around the needle.
- Always use the correct needle plate. The wrong plate can cause the needle to break.
- Do not use bent needles.
- Do not pull or push the fabric while sewing. It can bend the needle and make it break.
- Wear safety glasses.
- Turn the power switch to O (off) when making any adjustments in the needle area - threading the needle, changing the needle, threading the bobbin, changing the presser foot and so on.
- Never drop or insert any object into any opening.
- Do not use outdoors.
- Do not use where aerosol (spray) products are being used or where oxygen is being given.
- To disconnect, turn all controls to off (O), then take the plug out of the socket.
- Do not unplug by pulling the cord. Hold the plug, not the cord.
- The foot control is used to run the machine. Never put anything else on the foot control.
- Do not use the machine if it is wet.
- If the LED light is damaged or broken, it must be replaced by the manufacturer, its service agent or a similarly qualified person, to avoid a hazard.
- If the cord fixed to the foot control is damaged, it must be replaced by the manufacturer, its service agent or a similarly qualified person, to avoid a hazard.
- Only use the foot control supplied with the machine, or one supplied by an approved SINGER retailer.
Children and people who need supervision
- This machine can be used by children aged 8 and over, and by people with reduced physical, sensory or mental capabilities or lack of experience and knowledge, as long as they are supervised or have been shown how to use it safely and understand the hazards.
- Children must not play with the machine. Cleaning and user maintenance must not be done by children without supervision.
- The noise level in normal use is less than 80dB.
NoteThis sewing machine is for household use only, not industrial use. Please read these instructions. This manual can be printed.
Parts of the machine
- Feed teeth lever - moves side to side to lower or raise the feed teeth. It is at the back of the free arm.
- Accessory tray / free arm - a flat sewing surface and storage for your accessories. Take the accessory tray off to use the free arm for trouser hems and sleeves.
- Thread knife - for trimming thread ends when you finish sewing.
- Threading slots - the thread path, with the tension discs and take-up lever.
- Reverse button - press and hold to sew in reverse, for example to secure the start or end of a seam.
- Needle up/down button - press to raise or lower the needle.
- Presser foot pressure - sets how hard the presser foot presses on the fabric.
- Thread tension dial - sets the right tension for your stitch, thread and fabric.
- Display - shows the current stitch and its settings.
- Handwheel - moves the needle and the thread take-up lever by hand.
- Stitch control panel - choose the menu, select the stitch and adjust its settings with these buttons.
- Presser foot recommendation - slide it forward to see which presser foot is recommended for the stitch you have chosen.
Needle area and top of the machine
Needle area
- Needle plate - a flat area round the presser foot, with guide lines to help you sew straight.
- Feed teeth - feed the fabric under the presser foot as you sew.
- Presser foot - holds the fabric against the feed teeth.
- Presser foot holder screw - loosen it to take off the presser foot holder.
- Presser foot holder - holds the presser foot.
- Presser foot release lever - press it to release the foot from the holder.
- Buttonhole lever - used when sewing buttonholes.
- Built-in needle threader.
- Presser foot bar - the presser foot holder fits onto it.
- Needle clamp screw - holds the needle in.
- Thread guide.
- Needle thread guide.
- Bobbin cover - protects the bobbin while you sew.
- Bobbin cover release button - push it to open the bobbin cover.
Top of the machine
- Bobbin winding tension disc
- Thread guides
- Handle
- Spool pin
- Hole for the auxiliary spool pin
- Bobbin winding spindle
- Bobbin winding stopper
- Thread tension discs
- Thread take-up lever
Connecting to the power
The power cord and foot control are in with the accessories. The sockets and the ON/OFF switch are on the bottom right-hand side of the machine.
- Plug the foot control cord into the front socket (A).
- Plug the power cord into the rear socket (B), then into the wall socket.
- Press the ON/OFF switch (C) to I to turn on the power and the light.
The harder you press the foot control, the faster you sew.
NoteAfter you turn the machine off, the light may stay on for a few seconds while the last of the power is used up. This is normal for an energy efficient machine. The machine gives its best stitches at normal room temperature - very hot or cold rooms can affect the result.
Packing away after sewing
- Turn the power switch to O (off).
- Unplug the cord from the wall socket, then from the machine.
- Wind the cord round the foot control.
- Put all the accessories in the accessory tray and slide it back onto the machine round the free arm.
- Put the foot control and cord in the space above the free arm.
- Put the soft cover on to keep dust and lint out.
Safety
- Unplug the power cord whenever you are not using the machine.
- Only use the foot control supplied with the machine, or one supplied by an approved SINGER retailer.
- If you are unsure how to connect the machine to the power, ask a qualified electrician.
Presser foot lifter and foot pressure
Presser foot lifter
The presser foot lever is on the right-hand side of the sewing head. Raise it to thread the machine and lower it to sew.
For very thick projects, raise the lever and then push it further up - the foot lifts to an extra height so you can slide the work underneath.
Presser foot pressure
The pressure dial controls how firmly the presser foot holds the fabric, so it feeds smoothly. It is set at the factory to the standard value 2, which suits most fabrics. For very thick or very thin fabric you can adjust it: increase it for heavy fabrics, decrease it for lightweight ones.
NoteIf you turn the dial too far anti-clockwise it can come off - just put it back and turn it clockwise until it stays in place. If it stops when you turn it clockwise, that is the maximum pressure - don't force it any further.
The rest of this manual is for our customers
29 more sections, including step-by-step guides, stitch settings and troubleshooting.
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