kgg

What size of thread with what size of needle are you using? Also a few photo's of how you have your machine threaded maybe of some help. kgg

Any of the accessories that will fit a Juki LS-341 or LS-1341 should fit for parts I would reference the Juki LS-341 numbers. The manuals for the Juki LS-341 would be the one's I would use and have attached them as pdf's. I did notice you have the hand-wheel installed backwards, may or may not make any difference. I do like the back drop of hides in the background. kgg 341 engineer manual.pdf Juki_LS-341N_Engineers_Manual.pdf Juki_LS-341N_Instruction_Manual.pdf

Here is a link to the Juki site for the LS-1340 series machines. https://www.juki.co.jp/industrial_e/admin/pdata/filedata/332/ls1340.pdf kgg

My understanding is those machines are domestic and embroidery machines. kgg

I use the cheap Chinese manual press machine like ( https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B0771NFSLZ?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details ) at $56 CAD plus tax delivered ( $40 USD). They are cheap but do a decent job and the dies and hole punches are cheap, delivered at $10 -$12 CAD ($7 -$9 USD) if bought off places like Aliexpress. The downside to the lever handle presses particularly the ones with the lever at the rear is you only got one hand free to handle the item as the other one is used to operate the lever. That is where a kick press shines. I am now in the process of doing a proper press table and converting my two cheap hand presses to operate as kick presses. One to be used as a punch and the other as a setter. kgg

The reason I didn't mention the Juki LS-2342 line is i) the price is about $7,500 US which would be over the OP budget and ii) they have the built in drive motor, which I'm not a fawn lover of. If the motor fails you would be tied too Juki for a replacement where as on a regular drive train it would be a quick, fairly inexpensive repair from any number of motor suppliers. kgg

To determine if it is a problem remove both presser feet and see if the feel changes significantly. If it does, chances are that the feed dog is set to high above the needle plate or the presser foot is set to low. Check your manual and see how high it should be above the needle plate at it's highest point of travel. I would guess probably about 1mm. If no change, then remove the front cover too check and see what is binding / rubbing inside and oil the hell out off all the parts while cycling the machine by the hand-wheel. Also contact the dealer if this is a new machine. If this isn't something simple definitely contact the seller and if was a Amazon purchase contact them for a return as it was probably a "fresh off the boat" machine with no pre-delivery done. kgg

I am assuming you mean the original sized hand-wheel that came on the machine. This video should help with the removal and insulation: kgg

It is usually difficult to find the information particularly on the cheaper no name Chinese ones. Sometimes the Chinese one's will have a picture showing the internal coils so you can do a count otherwise I would assume 6 coils. The servo motors like the SewQuiet 6000SM 12-Coil Servomotor and the Sailrite Workhorse Servo Motor advertise that their motors have 12 coils. The thread should be properly threaded through the post first. In the top hole, half twist around the post so the thread enters the next lower hole on the backside. The thread wrap looks like an "S" on the post. kgg

Cute question. kgg

The Singer 29K-4 should be able to handle needles from #11 to #23 so it can handle thread up to V138 depending on the thickness of the leather. The needle plate will have marked holes that will accomdate the smaller and larger needle sizes. The machine maybe able to handle up to 1/4" thickness depending on it's condition but be aware as the thickness of the leather being sewn increases the switch length will decrease. Also the amount of thread you are going to get on that tiny bobbin is going to be small and will be less as the thread size increases. Thread size vs needle size can be found at: https://www.tolindsewmach.com/thread-chart.html I have attached a pdf of the manual kgg 294.pdf

With that budget I would suggest either Juki probably a LS-1341 and Durkopp Adler equivalent. Both are excellent brand name machines but I would go with the Juki machines if I were to invest in only one machine myself. I would suggest before buying one machine: i) Determine how thick the leather including the seams you are planning on sewing. The Class 341 machines will handle about 7/16" max with V138 thread. If you are constantly pushing that thickness limit you probably would be better off going to with a Class 441 and your budget is going to be about 2K low for a brand name machine. ii) Maybe look at two machines rather then putting all your money into one machine. If the majority of your items are best done on a flatbed invest in something like a Juki DN-1541S (about $2000) or Juki LU-1508 ($3000) and get a clone Class 341 (about $2400) or Class 441 (about $3000) machine. Remember NO one machine will best do everything. With such a large investment go to a couple dealers even if means a road trip and test drive various machines with a sample of your items in the size of thread you want to use. Get a machine or machines that meets your needs and budget from a company that you feel will provide good after sale service. How thick of thread are you planning on using? kgg

I would call the seller and get them to email you a copy of the manuals, assembly, parts, maintenance, etc as you will need them later on. kgg Table Assembly:

The way I look at it is the climate has been constantly changing in a constant state of flux through the various warming and cooling cycles since it was somehow created. To make any substantial changes we would have to reset the global population lifestyle to that of the cavemen. Can't see that happening anytime soon. I still wonder who is getting rich off the fear mongering climate change kick. The climate of some sort will be around as long as I'm going to be kicking but it might be nice to be able to plant a pineapple tree in the backyard up here in Canada. kgg

If I remember correctly about 20 years ago weren't all the "experts" saying we were headed for another Ice age. That scare didn't work so they are onto another be afraid. To help reduce the CO2 the main contributors would need to reduce their emissions, China, US and India. However that is going to come at a price of manufacturing all items for the worlds population. Taxing the average joe with carbon taxes isn't going to do anything worth while. People will still need food, transportation, housing, etc. kgg

I am not familiar with D/E thread. Could you post who the manufacturer is or a link to the thread. Typically a 29 K clone would use a system 135 X 16 needle or be converted accept the 135 X 16 for leather work. Typically they are rated for V46 to V138 thread with needles sizes up to #22. A good link for thread size to needle size can be found at https://www.tolindsewmach.com/thread-chart.html kgg

And they wonder why people buy imported stuff from not so environmentally protective countries. What a shame. kgg

I would have sent it back. kgg

The machine appears to be in good shape. I think the first ones only had a single top thread tensioning system and was changed to a double when they changed the casing. A 550 watt brushed servo should work quite nicely but for the price difference between the 550 watt and the 750 watt brushless servo motors I would go with the 750 watt with at least 9 internal coils, 12 coils would be better. What I did notice in the photo is the top thread doesn't go through the top thread guide pin as it should before the horizontal multi hole tension guide. The angle is way too steep, as close to horizontal as possible with the top hole of the top thread guide pin. kgg

The main difference as far as I am concerned and aware of are: i) the DSC 245 is only rated to handle V69 thread while the LS-1341 is rated for V138 ii) the DSC 245 has a small bobbin and to get the same large bobbin the LS 1341 has you need to move up to the DSC 246 iii) the DSC 245 has a built in synchonizor for binding iv) the DSC 245 has a much short alternating movement then the LS 1341 Juki's are a top notch brand name often copied by others and you well get quality but it is going to be considerably more costly then a clone machine. There are lot of machines available from Cowboy and Cobra to name a couple. All I can say is get a machine that meets your needs and budget from a company that you feel will provide good after sale service. To better narrow down a machine that may work for your items how thick is the total thickness you are going to be sewing including where any seams are? kgg

You basically got two options depending on your budget i) find a good used machine or ii) purchase a one armed bandit. i) Tippmann Boss ( https://tippmannindustrial.com/tippmann-boss-leather-sewing-machine/ ) at about $1000 USD plus shipping and it can according to the spec handle up to V415 thread and with a max sewing thickness of 3/4". ii) Cowboy Outlaw ( https://www.tolindsewmach.com/cowboy-outlaw.html ) at about $1395 USD plus shipping and it can according to the spec handle up to V346 and possibly V415 thread and with a max sewing thickness of 5/8". iii) Master Tool Cub ( https://www.weaverleathersupply.com/collections/cub-manual-leather-sewing-machine/products/master-tool-cub-manual-leather-sewing-machine-aluminum ) at about $1999 USD plus shipping and it can according to the spec handle up to V346 thread and with a max sewing thickness of 3/4". Get a machine that meets your needs and budget from a company that you feel will provide good after sale service. If possible test drive various machines. kgg

Just my experience but overall it was just too temperamental for my liking and seemed like it always needed something readjusted from the simple things like top and bobbin tension too set screws in the bobbin drive shaft / gears backing off issues. It might have been just that particular machine, the amount of abuse it got before I bought it, lack of maintenance or that I was asking it to do to much. Then add to the mechanical problems that diaper brown color. kgg

I am going to assume you meant to type Juki DU 1181N not Juki DL 1181N. This is a walking foot not a compound feed machine and is a light duty machine that is rated for V92 thread. To do bridle work you would be better off looking for a class 441 machine. kgg

From the info I have see it is rated for system 134-135 needles in the range 110 - 140 ( #18 to # 22). That to me indicates it can handle thread V69 (40) to a max of V138 (20) in thin material. I did own an old casing PFAFF 1245 for a very, very short period of time a couple of years ago and it was a disappointment. Also it did have a small bobbin. There is a couple photo's of the machine after I overhauled it and it's name plate. kgg

If I was looking for an old machine that was an oddity I would probably consider purchasing it as a keep sake. If I was looking for a something that would be a main stay machine with inexpensive parts / attachments I would not consider it. Without knowing what you are planning on sewing it would be hard to give any suggestions as to what machine would be able to do the task???? wallets, belts, bags, holsters, leather over 3/8" thick. Also what is your budget?? kgg