Table of Contents
- Why Regular Maintenance is Crucial for Your BAI Embroidery Machine
- Essential Lubricants and Tools for BAI Machine Maintenance
- Daily Maintenance: Lubricating the Rotary Hook
- Weekly Care: Oiling the Needle Bars
- Bi-Weekly Tasks: X-axis Motor and Rail Lubrication
- Bi-Annual Deep Dive: Greasing the Internal Gears
- Post-Maintenance Checks: Powering Up Your Machine
- Maximizing Your Embroidery Machine's Performance
Watch the video: “How to Oil & Maintain BAI Embroidery Machine” by BAI TV
A well-oiled embroidery machine is quieter, more precise, and far more reliable. In this hands-on guide based on BAI TV’s step-by-step tutorial, you’ll learn exactly what to oil or grease on your BAI machine, which lubricants to use, and the realistic schedule that keeps stitches stable day after day. We’ll follow the same order the instructor uses so you can work confidently alongside your machine.
What you’ll learn
- The three lubricants BAI demonstrates and where each is applied
- How often to maintain each component (daily, weekly, bi-weekly, and every six months)
- How to access and oil the upper and lower needle bar mechanisms correctly
- Where to add motor oil for the X-axis and how to grease internal gears safely
- The final power-up check to confirm everything is working
Why Regular Maintenance is Crucial for Your BAI Embroidery Machine Regular lubrication prevents drag, heat, and wear—three culprits that can derail stitch quality. As the BAI host explains at the outset, proper maintenance prolongs the life of the machine and keeps each stitch stable and precise. If you embroider frequently, the cumulative friction on hooks, bars, rails, and gears adds up fast; oil and grease restore smooth movement so your machine performs consistently.
Pro tip: Build your habits around usage. If you stitch daily, stick to the daily and weekly intervals shown in the video; if you embroider less often, use the same locations but adjust frequency based on actual machine time. bai embroidery machine
Essential Lubricants and Tools for BAI Machine Maintenance The video specifies three lubricants:
- Sewing oil
- Full synthetic motor oil (5W-40)
- Full synthetic lithium grease
The presenter notes sewing oil is common and easy to buy. For the motor oil and grease, the video recommends Mobil 1 (this is presented as the brand used in their demonstration). The host also shows helpful tools: a bottle with a long, pointed spout for precise drops, an oiling pen for tight spaces, and a small soft-bristle brush for applying grease.
Watch out: Turn off the machine before you begin any lubrication—the instructor explicitly recommends this safety step.
A closer look at the supplies - Sewing oil: used for the rotary hook daily (if embroidering every day) and for needle bars weekly.
- Motor oil (full synthetic 5W-40): used every two weeks at the oil port near the control panel and at an oiling point on the rail.
- Lithium grease (full synthetic): applied every six months to internal gears and one additional connection point, using a brush.
Quick check: Keep a paper towel handy and look for tidy, controlled drops—3–5 drops is the repeated guidance for oiling points in the video.
Daily Maintenance: Lubricating the Rotary Hook If you embroider every day, the video recommends oiling the rotary hook daily. Start by turning the machine off. Remove the bobbin case. If you see extra thread in the hook area, clear it first. Apply 3–5 drops of sewing oil directly into the hook.
From the comments: Several viewers asked about oil types. This guide strictly follows what’s shown in the video: sewing oil on the hook and bars; full synthetic motor oil (5W-40) on the X-axis port and rail; and full synthetic lithium grease on internal gears. The video demonstrates those uses; it doesn’t mention alternate grades like 5W-30. bai embroidery machine hoops
Pre-oiling checks (before you drop oil)
- Confirm the bobbin area is free of loose thread or lint.
- Use the long-spout bottle or oiling pen to keep oil off surrounding parts.
- Keep it to 3–5 drops; more is not better.
Oiling the hook (step-by-step) 1) Power off. 2) Remove bobbin case. 3) Inspect and clear any stray thread. 4) Add 3–5 drops of sewing oil to the hook. Reinstall the bobbin case after any excess oil has settled.
Weekly Care: Oiling the Needle Bars The host oils two areas weekly: the upper needle bar area and the lower needle bar mechanisms accessed behind a front cover. Use sewing oil and apply 3–5 drops at each point.
Upper needle bar (weekly) The upper needle bar can be hard to reach. The video suggests using a long-pointed spout or an oiling pen so you can place 3–5 drops precisely, moving one position at a time until each bar has been oiled.
Quick check: Watch for a clean, visible sheen without dripping. If you see pooling, gently wick away the excess with a lint-free cloth. bai embroidery machine frame
Lower needle bar mechanisms (weekly) To reach the lower mechanisms, remove the two screws holding the front cover. Keep track of the screws and gently remove the cover to expose the internal assemblies.
Once open, apply 3–5 drops of sewing oil to each exposed lower needle bar mechanism, one by one. Take your time to avoid over-oiling.
After finishing the oiling passes, confirm all locations have received oil (3–5 drops each) and that there’s no excess pooling.
Reinstalling the lower cover Replace the cover while keeping it slightly raised so it doesn’t press on nearby rings. Hold it in position and reinsert the screws; then tighten them with a screwdriver.
Watch out: The presenter cautions to raise the cover slightly during reinstallation so it doesn’t press any rings. This simple move prevents unnecessary friction or cosmetic damage.
Bi-Weekly Tasks: X-axis Motor and Rail Lubrication Every two weeks, the video shows two oiling points that take full synthetic motor oil (5W-40):
- The oiling hole near the control panel
- A second oiling point on the rail (revealed after you turn a black knob anti-clockwise until it stops)
Locate the port by the control panel and add 3–5 drops.
Next, turn the black knob anti-clockwise until it doesn’t move, revealing another hole for oiling the rail. Apply 3–5 drops here as well. The video recommends repeating this bi-weekly.
Pro tip: Keep a dedicated, clearly labeled bottle for each lubricant (sewing oil vs. motor oil) to avoid mix-ups.
Bi-Annual Deep Dive: Greasing the Internal Gears Every six months, the video demonstrates opening side panels to access internal gears and a second internal connection that both receive full synthetic lithium grease. You’ll need a cross screwdriver and a small soft-bristle brush.
Disassembly
- Use the cross screwdriver to remove two screws on the side cover and take it off; a second panel may also be removed in the sequence shown.
- Keep wiring tidy and note the order of panels.
Greasing technique - Turn the black knob while applying grease evenly to the exposed gears with the brush. This ensures the grease spreads across all gear teeth.
- Apply grease to an internal connection inside the machine as shown in the video.
Reassembly - Put wires neatly inside, reinstall the covers in the demonstrated order, and fasten all screws securely.
Watch out: Apply only enough grease to coat gear teeth and the specified connection point. Over-greasing can sling excess inside the machine once it’s running.
Post-Maintenance Checks: Powering Up Your Machine After lubrication and greasing are complete, power on the machine. If a “no needle” message appears on the screen, press OK as the host demonstrates. Then turn the color change motor knob and watch the needle number on the display. Any number is fine as long as it’s not 00. This confirms the machine is recognizing a valid needle position and the color change motor is responding as expected.
Quick check: Confirm the display shows a non-00 needle number and that the machine boots normally without additional errors.
From the comments: Viewers asked why motor oil appears in this guide when some sources recommend only sewing oil. We’re reflecting exactly what the BAI video shows: sewing oil on the rotary hook and needle bars; full synthetic motor oil (5W-40) on the X-axis port and rail; and full synthetic lithium grease on internal gears. The video does not mention a downloadable full teardown manual. bai hoops
Maximizing Your Embroidery Machine's Performance Maintenance schedule (as demonstrated in the video)
- Daily (if embroidering every day): Rotary hook — 3–5 drops sewing oil
- Weekly: Upper and lower needle bar mechanisms — 3–5 drops sewing oil at each point
- Every two weeks: X-axis oil port and rail — 3–5 drops full synthetic motor oil (5W-40)
- Every six months: Internal gears and an internal connection — apply full synthetic lithium grease with a brush
Benefits you’ll notice
- Smoother movement across the hook, bars, and rails
- More stable stitch formation and consistent tension behavior
- Less heat and wear on internal parts over time
- A machine that powers up cleanly and responds promptly to color changes
Troubleshooting pointers (grounded in the video)
- Machine won’t power or shows “no needle” after maintenance: Press OK, then rotate the color change motor knob until the display shows any needle number except 00.
- Oil seems to be dripping: Use fewer drops (3–5 is the repeated guidance) and wipe away excess.
- Access feels tight around the upper bars: Use a long-spout bottle or an oiling pen as the host suggests.
Watch out: The video doesn’t cover cleaning or dust removal, which is also important. Add routine cleaning to your own shop checklist to complement oiling and greasing.
From the comments (synthesized)
- Grease/oil types: A commenter asked about a different motor oil grade (5W-30). The video only shows full synthetic 5W-40 for the X-axis oil port and rail; other grades aren’t discussed in the tutorial.
- Sewing oil vs. motor oil: One thread suggests translation confusion. This guide sticks strictly to the video’s demonstrated use: sewing oil for hook and bars; motor oil (5W-40) for the X-axis port and rail; lithium grease for internal gears.
- Manuals: A viewer asked about a complete service manual. The video does not mention where to download one.
Gear and frame context for everyday users If you regularly swap frames or move large projects, you’ll benefit from keeping the rail well-lubricated on the bi-weekly interval the video recommends. Users who frequently change hoops—whether standard tubular frames or specialty options—will still follow the same lubrication points and intervals demonstrated here. bai embroidery hoop
Pro tip: Store your lubricants and tools near the machine—oiling pen, long-spout bottle, soft brush, and screwdrivers—so weekly and bi-weekly tasks become a quick ritual rather than a chore. bai embroidery machine frame
Quick reference: Supplies from the video
- Oils: Sewing oil; Full synthetic motor oil (5W-40)
- Grease: Full synthetic lithium grease
- Tools: Long-spout bottle, oiling pen, small soft-bristle brush, cross screwdriver
Final word This guide mirrors the BAI TV maintenance procedure to help you adopt the same reliable routine: oil the hook daily (if you embroider every day), bars weekly, X-axis every two weeks, and grease internals every six months. Finish with a simple power-on and needle-number check, and you’re set for precise, predictable stitching on your next job. bai embroidery machine
From the comments (bonus tip) If you regularly switch between tubular frames and accessories used for caps or pockets, keep your maintenance consistent even when you change setups. The lubrication points in this tutorial don’t change just because the frame does. bai hat frame