MikeG

Genius! A larger needle solved the problem, even though I don't understand why it only happened in reverse. I will take the win! Thanks!!!!

Juki LU-563 135X16X19 needle Tex 135 bonded nylon 3 layers of 3oz veg tan (less than 1/4" total) Stitching forward gives a good result top and bottom (left side in pictures) -- when reversed (right side in pictures), the top looks OK, but the bottom has loops as though the top tension is too loose. Any thoughts where to look to correct this issue? Thanks, all!

Maybe check this site - she sells patterns, but might be able to help you connect to someone who could make them for you. https://www.ultimatepapermache.com/patterns

Thanks for the reply. It is so well done I didn't even think about an inner sheath. Beautifully done!

That is a beautiful sheath. How does such soft leather hold its shape? And do you use a hard leather welt? I'm sure a knife like that is razor sharp. In any case, that is a setup fit for a chief - well done!

So I purchased the zipper feet and made a quick case as a test. Forgive the edges and finish, as I considered it a quick experiment. In the end I really appreciate the input and suggestions and am quite pleased with the result. For an old guy with arthritis this will be a game changer!

I had a roll of 12V warm white LEDs from superbrightleds.com that were left over from under cabinet lights in the kitchen. I just cut off 6 inches & connected to a 12v power supply I had in the parts bin. Amazon has six inch sections of LED strip also. If I was purchasing new I would probably get daylight instead of the warm white.

While servicing my Juki, I noticed the underside of the body is flat and free of any oil holes or other objects. As an experiment, I installed a 6 inch self adhesive strip of LEDs and a 12 volt wall wart. The difference in visibility is amazing.

Update: removing the roll pin allowed for adjustment of the stitch length forward and backward and the machine now reverses into the same holes, just as in UWE's video! SUCCESS!

I have the exact same issue with my vintage Juki LU-563. The stitch block cannot be moved because there is a roll pin adjacent to the adjusting screw. Moving to the right, I thought I could make the adjustment using the two screws marked in yellow, but no joy. I believe the only way to adjust this machine is to remove and discard the roll pin. At the present time, I have about 7 stitches/inch forward and about 4 per inch in reverse, so it definitely needs to be corrected. Hoping UWE can weigh in on this. Pic showing roll pin: Pic of Reverse bar screws: EDIT: My theory is Juki set the forward stitch length at the factory and locked it with the roll pin, with the intent of setting the reverse stitch to match using the limiters. UWE removed the stitch limit on the reverse and then adjusted the bar to get equal length stitches, with the result being a longer stitch length than came from the factory.

Awesome info, thanks all! I have ordered zipper feet to play with. I had figured leaving excess for the foot to walk on and trimming later would be the way to go -- thank you for confirming that. Again, thanks to all - what an awesome site for REAL information from folks that have experience from doing. Cheers to all and hope you all have a great Thanksgiving!

CDK - Thank you for the picture. It helps to know what I am looking for. I found this on ebay - not quite as narrow as yours, but it looks like it could be ground down a little if needed.

Thanks, Wiz! I have a Juki LU-563 I am just getting set up. I did purchase a Consew servo from Toledo -- I will contact them about feet for my application. No sir, I didn't update the picture. I really didn't know how to explain wanting to sew right up next to a vertical "wall" when making molded cases. To date it has always been hand stitching. I know manufacturers like leatherman must machine sew their cases, so I figured I would ask here. The answer seems to be a narrow or inline (or both ) foot setup will be the ticket.

Thanks for the responses. I have not had any experience with the different feet, so I appreciate these recommendations.

Thank you - I will look for piping feet

Is there a way to machine sew molded cases like shown in the image? I have seen some recent discussions on special feet. I am guessing that with the proper foot I could sew close to the raised portion of the case, perhaps leaving more leather for the foot to walk on and then trimming after sewing. Any hints on how to do this and/or any special feet needed would be greatly appreciated!

It cleaned up very well and runs smoothly. After a thorough clean, I blew air in it to dry it out and was rewarded with what looked like a full bag of sunflower seed hulls. Guess somebody was living inside it! I'm very happy with how it is turning out. Thanks all for the encouragement.

Thank you all for the input - that is wonderful news! Yes, I have the table, but it needs a thorough descaling, paint, and a new top. Bob, I will be ordering a Consew servo motor soon.

Got a great deal on a Juki LU-563. Essentially a one-owner machine that has spent the last 10-15 years in storage. It is tight and free, but it will obviously need to be oiled and checked out before being put into use. Most of the discussions on this forum seem to deal with damaged or broken machines. This one appears to be in remarkably good condition. My question is: Does the machine need to be completely disassembled? I have not yet found a service manual, and I'm hoping not to have to take it apart using a parts diagram. Thanks in advance for thoughts on how to proceed.

Thanks, Jay. Beast pretty much sums it up. You have to be doing a lot of pretty heavy work to need one of these. It's a great conversation starter, though :-)

Seems like that's what everyone is interested in.

Sorry I missed that. This thing is HEAVY. it will have to be picked up. Halfway between Nashville and Chattanooga

A niche machine for sure. I have owned it many years, but it has received very little use. It is upgraded with the hand wheel, roller guide and extra bobbins, needles, feet, accessories. It came with a clutch motor and speed reducer - I have installed a servo motor, but the clutch motor goes with it. I also have the original manuals and documentation for it. It is located in middle Tennessee. I am aging out of the leather business and it needs to go before I do. It was a very expensive ($3,500) machine before adding the motor, table, etc. - I will consider reasonable offers in the $2K range. I also have many, many craftool stamps, Leatherworker magazines, and miscellaneous items up for discussion as a package deal. I will not sell the tools prior to selling the stitcher. This is an overview of the machine. Note this video is for the Classic. Mine is a No. 9, which is the predecessor. Still a fine machine

Nice work as always. I'm sure he'll be pleased. "Midnight & Mahogany?"

It has taken me a long time to finally pull the trigger on a servo for my No. 9 stitcher. I bought this monster early in my leatherwork journey before understanding it is way beyond what I really needed for the work I have been doing. As a result, I have had a love/hate relationship with this machine since I have owned it and have not trusted it to sew any important work - in short, it has been a very expensive sculpture and conversation piece. It has even resisted multiple efforts to sell it, just sitting there quietly gloating as I hand sew projects. So after over a year of considering a servo, I finally decided to get the Family Sew servo with brushes from Bob at Toledo. I received my motor in just a few days and spent an afternoon installing it - It was not quite plug & play as the mount on the servo motor is smaller & I had to drill new holes in the table and then enlarge them to get the drive belt aligned nice & straight. Once done, it is a nice looking and clean install and runs quietly and true. With the old motor, this machine sounded like the hammers of hell - I named it Mjolnir, after Thor's hammer. With the new motor, it will stitch quietly as slow as I want. I have not sewn any projects with it yet, but I tested it on 3 layers of 8oz. stock and it punches perfect stitches at a very slow speed. In summary, I am very happy I made this purchase and I believe the old stitcher and I may finally become friends. Thanks to all on these forums, past and present. I have probably read every sewing machine and motor post on here - many multiple times. Good place to hang out!