HELPFUL HINT - Always remove any hoops or clamping systems before turning on the machine to prevent damage
to the presser foot and thread holder assembly.!!

Every hoop for your Happy Embroidery machine has a 3 digit numerical suffix which indicates the TOTAL WIDTH (NEEDLE DISTANCE) of the hoop, including the metal arm brackets. When ordering you should know the width your existing hoop.
The picture below is how you should measure your hoop. This is how we determine which hoops will fit your machine.

For example, the  PTA-15-360 is the 15cm (5.75 inch round) hoop which has a total width of 360mm (14 inch).  
A PTA-15-520 is the 15cm (5.75 inch round) hoop which has a total width of 520mm (20-1/4 inch) which fits all HCD & HCA machines ONLY.
Always specify when ordering hoops, both the desired hoop size and the total hoop width (Needle Distance).
Please ask a Texmac Parts Associate to assist you in determining the correct hoop size for your machine.
Here is a general index of which hoop width should be associated with the most common Happy machines:

   250mm = (9.5 inch)   - Older HCM and HMF 7 needle
*360mm = (14 inch)   - All Happy HCS (Voyager), HCD, HCR and most HCA, HCG & HCM
    450mm = (17-1/2 inch) - Happy HCM 6 head, with 7, 8 or 10 needles
 ** 500mm = (19-1/2 inch) - Happy HCGX & HCR stretch 4 and 6 head, with 10, 12 and 15 needles 
 ***520mm = (20-1/4 inch) - Happy HCD and HCA 12 and 15 needles  

*Maximum hoop size for HCS (Voyager) is 320mm X 320mm = (12-1/2 inch square).  All smaller sizes will fit.

*** All HCD machines have adjustable left and right hand side tubular frame hold arms which will allow the usage of both 360mm and 520mm total hoop width hoops.
This allows the use of the large wooden hoop (WS-42440-520) or the Durkee 30cm x 41cm in the 520mm total hoop width.

*** Later model HCA machines had adjustable left hand side tubular frame hold arms which allowed the usage of both 360mm and 520mm total hoop width hoops. Newer machines had only the large wooden hoop (WS-42440-520) in the 520mm total hoop width. 

Older HCA's had ALL supplied hoops in the 520mm total hoop width. The tubular sash can be retrofitted on these older models, making them able to accept the 360mm total hoop width. By either purchasing the Tubular Frame Bracket B ( which is the upper part of the tubular sash, part number HCA37022 ), or by drilling and inserting a heli-coil in the the upper tubular sash, you can take advantage of the many specialty aftermarket hoops available only in the 360mm Needle Distance.

** Newer model HCG & all HCR stretch machines have adjustable left and right side tubular frame hold arms which allow the usage of both 360mm and 500mm total hoop width.

Earlier model stretch HCG's had all supplied hoops in the 500mm hoop width only. They can be retrofitted by purchasing Tubular Frame  Bracket B which is the upper part of the tubular sash, (specify model and serial number of machine), which will allow for the usage of many aftermarket specialty hoops (Available in 360mm hoop width only), by allowing the repositioning of the left hand side tubular frame arm to the shorter 360mm width. 

You can purchase a Helicoil Kit ($60.00) from us if you wish to do your own repositioning of the mounting holes for the left hand side tubular frame hold arm or schedule one of our technicians to do this upgrade.

*** 'The large wooden hoop which is supplied with HCD and HCA one heads has the 520mm total hoop width (WS-42440-520). Older HCA's had all the supplied hoops in the 520mm format. We do have the original (Japanese) and some domestic aftermarket sizes available for this, but you may want to get the 360mm total hoop width upgrade done so you can take advantage of the many wonderful aftermarket hoop offerings available only in the 360mm hoop width. 

Single Height or Double Height Hoops:

Most hoops on the market are double height hoops, this means the body of the hoop is twice the height of the outer retaining ring. On single height hoops, the body of the hoop is the same height as the outer retaining ring. Click on the picture to see a larger view.

Single height hoops are great for items like t-shirts, table cloths and linens. The Happy 32cm (12.5") square plastic hoop (center hoop in the picture) has a height of about 12mm (1/2 inch) in comparison to the wooden hoop (bottom hoop in picture) that has a height of 17mm (5/8 inch).

Wooden hoops, because of their extra height and the good tension properties of wood, are great for blankets, towels and  jackets.

Double height hoops can vary in actual height depending on the manufacturer. The Durkee brand hoop pictured (top hoop in picture) has a height of 21mm (3/4 inch) and a retaining ring height of 10mm (5/16 inch).
A double height hoop is able to hoop thicker items much better than a single height hoop. This is because as the item gets thicker it pushes the outer retaining ring down on the body of the hoop. All double height hoops have more contact surface area which allows the outer ring to get a firmer grip, assuring good tension and avoiding the aggravation of the outer ring falling off of your project!

Comparing Round Hoops to Square Hoops:

There are reasons for using both square and round hoops. Square hoops are the most efficient way to address the majority of square/rectangular designs you will encounter. You will be able use less stabilizer for the same design with a square hoop instead of a round. Round hoops, like a drum head, apply equal tension along the entire hooped surface of the garment, whereas square hoops gives excellent tension in the corners, but less force along the sides. That is why most square hoops are not perfectly square, they have rounded corners and slightly bowed sides to help establish equilateral tension on the project being sewn.

Please click on  examples below showing the differences and benefits when using a squarely configured hoop versus a round!

15cm round over a 15cm square
18cm round over a 15cm square
15cm square over a 15cm round
15cm square over a 18cm round

 
Which Hoop Size Is Right?

For optimum design registration, it is important to use a hoop that is closest to the size of the design.
This will help maximize design registration as well as avoiding the wasting of backings or toppings.

Here is a list of hoop sizes and common uses

One of our suppliers posted this video on hooping tips that you may useful.

http://vimeo.com/28981873
 

http://www.happyemb.com/files_maint/hooplocking.htm