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Watch the video: “How to Install a Cap Driver on a Brother Entrepreneur 6-Plus PR670E Embroidery Machine” by Seamingly Sewprising
If you’ve ever paused a cap order because your driver felt intimidating, this guide is for you. We followed the Seamingly Sewprising walkthrough step by step to demystify installation, practice on the hooping station, and the smooth, needle-safe way to mount a hooped cap. You’ll learn the exact order, what each part does, and the small safety habits that make a big difference.
What you’ll learn
- The parts you need for cap embroidery on the Brother Entrepreneur 6-Plus PR670E
- How to remove the standard embroidery arm—without losing a single screw
- How to install the cap driver using the rubber support piece for correct height
- How to practice on the hooping station and lock the cap frame confidently
- The sideways technique to bypass needles when mounting a hooped cap
Getting Started: Essential Tools and Parts Every reliable cap embroidery workflow starts with the right pieces laid out and within reach. For this setup, you’ll need the cap driver, a small included part that comes with it, and a small black rubber support piece. These are called out at the top of the video, and all three will be used during installation.
Pro tip: Keep a small dish or magnetic tray nearby for any screws you remove during this project. brother embroidery machine
What You Need for Cap Embroidery - Cap driver: the main hardware that replaces your standard embroidery arm for hats.
- Small included part: a specialized piece that will mount at the front where the hat sits.
- Rubber support piece: temporarily lives under the cap driver to set the correct height while you tighten.
Understanding Each Component
- The cap driver has a back section that faces the machine and a front section that faces you. This orientation matters.
- The rubber support piece is not a permanent part—it’s removed after you tighten the main screws.
- The final small piece at the front is essential for positioning the hat—don’t discard it.
Watch out: The video emphasizes that forgetting to remove small screws from the cap driver itself before you start the machine can cause problems. Always double-check.
Step-by-Step: Removing the Standard Embroidery Arm You’ll begin by removing the standard embroidery arm. This creates the space for your cap driver to slide into the machine.
Locating and Unscrewing Fasteners
- Unscrew the small screws at the back.
- There may be more than one; remove each one carefully.
- Keep the screws safe by threading them into the designated storage holes on the right side of the machine, as demonstrated.
Safe Storage of Parts Once all screws are out, lift the embroidery arm straight up and off, keeping your grip steady and clear of cables or snags. Store the arm and screws together so reassembly is painless later.
Quick check: Before lifting, run a finger along the attachment points to confirm you’ve removed every screw.
Installing Your Cap Driver: A Detailed Guide This is where orientation and sequence matter most. The back of the cap driver goes toward the machine; the front faces outward. The video shows the correct angle before sliding it into place.
Correct Orientation and Initial Placement
- Hold the cap driver so the flat back faces the machine.
- Before inserting it, remove the small temporary screws from the cap driver. This frees the mechanism and avoids startup issues.
- Slide the cap driver underneath and into position, gently, without forcing.
Watch out: Do not power on the machine with the cap driver’s temporary screws still in. Remove them before you proceed. brother cap hoop
Securing with the Rubber Support Piece Before tightening, place the rubber support piece under the cap driver to set it at the proper height. There’s a spot for it to pop in. With that support in place, align the driver and begin re-installing the main screws. Tighten snugly—this attachment sees a lot of movement during operation.
As you tighten the screws that secure the driver to the machine, keep the support piece in place. Once all main screws are firmly tightened, pull the rubber support piece out. A tiny gap is normal and allows the driver to rotate.
Quick check: After removing the support piece, look for a slight gap at the driver. That’s expected and means you’ve set the height correctly.
Final Touches: Attaching the Cap Retaining Piece Finish the assembly by attaching the small specialized piece at the front of the cap driver—this is where the hat will sit. The video notes this piece is necessary for hats; don’t throw it away or misplace it.
Mastering the Cap Hooping Station Next, move to the separate hooping station—your off-machine practice ground. It mimics the cap driver on the PR670E so you can develop muscle memory and prep caps before moving to the machine.
Mounting Your Hooping Station Mount the hooping station to a side surface near the machine so it’s easy to reach. Keep the path between station and machine clear—no obstacles while you carry a hooped cap.
Practicing Cap Frame Insertion
- Identify the cap frame—the part that will hold your hat.
- Align the frame with the station and push it in until it snaps. If the locking mechanism is unlocked, the frame won’t hold; turn the lever to the left until it clicks and ratchets down. Practice this several times.
Pro tip: Practice snapping the frame on and off the hooping station until the motion is smooth and confident. It pays off when you’re working on the less-stable machine arm. fast frames for brother embroidery machine
Embroidering Your First Cap: Machine Integration Once your cap is hooped on the frame, it’s time to bring it to the machine. The key maneuver is how you approach the needles. The video demonstrates a sideways entry to bypass them safely.
Safely Attaching the Hooped Cap
- With the hooped cap on the frame, hold it sideways.
- Slide it in carefully so the cap bypasses the needles.
- Once you’re past the back of the machine—where the assembly naturally angles—straighten it out and snap the frame into the cap driver, just like you practiced on the station.
Removing the Cap Post-Embroidery When stitching is complete, pop the frame off. Twist the frame so the bill clears the machine body, and then pull the cap away from the machine. The twisting step creates the space the bill needs to exit without snagging.
Watch out: Avoid pushing or pulling hard on the machine’s arm as you attach or remove the hooped cap. Treat it gently—the hooping station is more stable, and that’s where you should practice forceful movements.
From the comments: Stitch speed and design time A viewer asked how long a typical hat design takes. The creator replied they usually run hats at about 400 stitches per minute, and most designs take around 7–9 minutes. That’s a helpful baseline, but times will vary with density, size, and trims. brother pr1055x
Pro Tips and Next Steps
- Tighten thoroughly: The video highlights tightening screws “very tight” because the cap driver moves a lot in use. While no torque spec is provided, err on the firm side without stripping threads.
- Check alignment on power-up: A commenter shared that installing with the machine powered off, then turning it on, helped the machine center the driver. If you see off-center behavior, this power cycle is worth trying.
- Practice off-machine: The hooping station is your best friend. The more you rehearse snapping and locking the frame there, the smoother it’ll be on the machine.
- Stabilizer choices: In the comments, the creator said they tend to use tear-away for unstructured hats. Structured caps may differ; the video doesn’t specify beyond that.
- Side and back placements: A comment reply noted this setup doesn’t do ear-to-ear. For backs, the creator typically stitches them flat using fast frames. brother pr680w hoops
Quick check: Before you press Start, confirm three things—temporary screws are out of the cap driver, the cap frame is locked, and you can see that tiny rotation gap after removing the rubber support.
When to Seek More Guidance (Hooping a Cap) The video offers to make a separate tutorial on hooping a cap and adding stabilizer. If you’re not quite confident on hooping steps, it’s smart to pause and master that first on the station. Several commenters requested (and the creator acknowledged) a dedicated hooping deep-dive. mighty hoops for brother pr670e
FAQ What Brother embroidery machine model is this video for?
- The demonstration is on a Brother Entrepreneur 6-Plus PR670E.
Why is the small rubber piece necessary?
- It temporarily sets the cap driver at the correct height while you tighten the main screws. Once tightened, remove the rubber piece; the small gap remaining is normal and allows rotation.
What happens if I forget to remove the temporary screws from the cap driver?
- The creator warns you’ll run into problems if the machine is started with those screws in. Always remove them before powering on.
How do I safely insert a hooped cap into the machine?
- Hold it sideways to bypass the needles; once you’re past the back of the machine, straighten and snap it in.
Any advice from viewers on off-center issues?
- One commenter suggested installing with the machine off and letting it center on power-up. The creator also noted they plan to cover adjustments in a future video.
Where did the creator buy the tools?
- In the comments, the creator said they purchased through their local dealer.
Do I need stabilizer for hats?
- The creator reported using tear-away for unstructured hats; other hat types may require different support.
From the comments: Thread brands A viewer asked about thread; the creator mentioned using New Brothread in the video and that they also like Floridian. Preferences vary and the video doesn’t prescribe a specific brand.
Troubleshooting at a glance
- Cap frame won’t hold: Check the lock—turn the lever to the left until it clicks/ratchets.
- Driver feels loose: Retighten the main screws; this assembly sees a lot of movement.
- Snagging needles: Practice the sideways approach on an unthreaded pass, and slow down.
- Off-center behavior: Try powering the machine off, confirming all install steps, then power on to allow centering.
Final word Cap embroidery can feel complex the first time, but the order and small details matter more than force. Prep cleanly, support the driver with the rubber piece during tightening, practice your snap-in on the station, and approach the needles sideways with a steady hand. With these habits, your PR670E is ready for crisp, repeatable hat runs. brother embroidery hoops
From the comments: Beyond the basics
- On backs and specialty placements: The creator typically stitches cap backs flat on fast frames.
- On more tutorials: Multiple commenters asked for hooping and adjustment videos; the creator noted those topics are on their list.
Gear notes (contextual) While this guide is focused on the PR670E cap driver shown in the video, many shops mix accessories across machines and projects. If you’re building a broader tooling kit, map accessories to your exact model and confirm compatibility with your dealer before purchasing. brother magnetic frame
If you’re curious about other Brother multi-needle options or accessory ecosystems, keep an eye out for future videos that expand beyond the cap driver and into placement tools and alternative frames for specialty placements. brother hat embroidery hoop