
kgg
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Everything posted by kgg
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Nakajima 321L is this worth the $1400 price tag?
kgg replied to leatherforge's topic in Leather Sewing Machines
I would run not walk away at that price. Buy something from a manufacturer that is still in business. Nakajima 321L is a needle feed machine and for leather work you really need at least a walking foot machine. The Nakajima 321L is what the old Juki LS-341 was based on, according to the info I have seen, with some changes. The first Juki LS-341's if I'm not mistake began in the early 1970's. From that the Nakajima 321L is going to be will over 50 years old. With the Nakajima sewing company being part of the Juki company since the 60's or 70's finding the different parts could be difficult. What are you planning on sewing???? kgg -
New sewing machine! probably too much for what I need.
kgg replied to gordonl's topic in Leather Sewing Machines
I agree. kgg -
New sewing machine! probably too much for what I need.
kgg replied to gordonl's topic in Leather Sewing Machines
According to the manual it will take a #26 needle. The needles will leave a large hole about the size of a 2 1/2" finishing nail. If you don't have a manual here is a pdf version. kgg 20190619115045364.pdf -
Incorrect. They typically have a lower startup rpm but depending on operator skill, startup rpm, manufacturer you may require a speed reducer regardless of servo motor type. If you are going to be sewing leather the needles you will need are 135 x 16 x needle size. Your machine will come with a 135 x 17 x needle size for fabric. Here is a good link to a chart showing needle size versus thread size vs thread strength ( https://www.tolindsewmach.com/thread-chart.html ). Don't cheap out, buy brand name needles and thread. Always buy two spools of thread, one for the top thread and one for the bobbin. That way you can fill a bobbin while you sew without having to un-thread the top thread to wind a bobbin. kgg
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Keep in mind: i) Items like belts / wallets are best done on flatbed like a Juki DNU-1541S or clone. ii) Items like bags are best done on a cylinder arm machine like the a Juki LS-1341 or clone. iii) You can turn a cylinder arm machine into a flatbed machine by installing a flatbed attachment. If this is going to be your only machine I would suggest seriously looking at this option. That is one style of speed reducer typically referred to as a box style. You can also get the more common pedestal style. Both have their pro's and cons but do the job, speed reduction. Here is a photo I copied from Toledo Industrial Sewing Machines ( https://www.tolindsewmach.com/motors.html ) The motor shown in your photo is a brushed servo motor, good uncomplicated work horses. kgg
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The safety clutch when it kicks in protects a lot of internal parts from getting damaged. Depending on how badly you screw up usually it is just a matter of resetting the safety and you are sewing again. If you jam the machine up and I think most of have at some point jammed a machine up the repair cost of the damaged parts will be be a lot greater then the $75 you "saved". As a side note my Juki DNU -1541"S" hates items less then 5mm thick and much prefers thicker items with V92 thread as a minimum top and bobbin thread size. Find another retailer one with experience doing leather work. What are the items you want to sew, how thick of leather and with what size of thread as a flatbed machine may not be your best option? kgg
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Since you are in the US the Sailrite Workhorse is the same motor ( https://www.sailrite.com/Sailrite-Workhorse-Servo-Motor-110V ) at $299.95. The problem with any of the brushless servo motors is the high startup rpm's which is typically around 500 rpm and with both the Reliable and the Sailrite it is 400 rpm. This can create startup "jump". To help smooth out the startup "jump" of the brushless motors as well as slowing down the machine while giving more torque install a speed reducer pulley and replace the servo motor pulley with a 50 mm pulley. Typically the reduction is 3:1 (6" large pulley and a 2" small pulley). I would suggest you forget about the Juki DNU 1541 and purchase the Juki DNU 1541 "S". The Juki DNU 1541 has no safety clutch. kgg
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To be 100 percent sure about the specs I would check with @CowboyBob he would know for sure and probably has a manual kicking around. kgg
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Most people use regular sewing machine oil. Normally you would follow the manufacturers recommendation as outlined in the manual. Most people I think use a Lilly white sewing oil or a variant. Lilly white has a viscosity of 5W. As a note a higher viscosity will make the bearings carry the load better at lower speed, but maybe not great at prolonged higher speeds. I personally never use normal sewing machine oil in any of my machines old or new but that is my choice. I use a blend of synthetic motor and synthetic transmission oils. If the machine is old I will use a higher concentration of transmission oil to flush debris or dried oil out so the bearings can get fresh oil in there for lubrication. If there is minor wear in the bearings I use a higher concentration of motor oil. If I am doing regular oiling I use about 20 percent synthetic transmission oil in the blend. I find the synethic oil blend makes the machine run smoother and quieter. Just in case you don't have a manual for your machine I have included a pdf. Refer to page 4 "Oiling" for what the manufacturer recommends as far as oil and oiling interval. The problem of staining I find is caused by over oiling. kgg 1245 Owners Old Case.pdf
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This machine from what I understand is: i) A drop feed needle feed machine. Not what I would attempt to use for holsters as you really need a compound sewing machine (feed dog, presser foot and needle) for leather work. ii) I would consider this more geared towards fabric then leather. iii) As far as sewing 1/2" I think this is very doubtful, at best maybe 3/8". iv) The thread limit I would suspect would be V92 maybe V138. How thick is the leather you are planning on sewing? What size of thread are you wanting to use? Are you sewing presently by hand or by machine??? The first I have ever heard of the shank size determining the sewing thickness. kgg
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Sorry, early morning Nicotine level was low. Hadn't had my second cup of coffee and enough vaping. Use to be second cup of coffee and six smokes. kgg 341 engineer manual.pdf
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Here is a copy of the Juki LS-431 engineering manual refer to section 9 page 12. kgg
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Round point equivalent for DDX2 needles
kgg replied to greatwhitetrading's topic in Leather Sewing Machines
If I'm not mistaken the fabric needles would be DDx1 which are 214x1 needles. I still would check with a Seiko dealer or your manual. kgg -
I would say those made in Switzerland then either those made in Japan or Germany. The problem is getting screwdrivers that seat and fit properly as well as being durable so sometimes you need to go with metric sized screwdrivers to get a better fit to avoid screw head slop. kgg
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The green arrow points to what looks like a oiling port for the internal parts similar to the Juki LU-562 & 563. The red arrow points to the stitch length adjuster as I don't see a stitch length adjusting dial or it is a safety clutch to protect the hook assembly when you jam up the machine. If you want to wind just a bobbin: Here is a link to pretty good video from the 9:00 minute mark ( i) remove thread from needle otherwise you will jam the machine up. ii) the winder needs to be set so it trips out when you get about 80 percent of the bobbin filled. iii) install empty bobbin on winder shaft. Most bobbins have holes on the sides of the bobbin so a) the end of the thread from the spool of thread you are using to fill the bobbin through the winders tension discs then to the inside of the bobbin outwards through a hole b) push the bobbin trip lever towards the rear of the machine to engage the winders drive wheel up against the machines drive belt c) hold the end of the thread in your hand d) hit the go pedal e) hold the end of the thread until you have at least two complete rows wound on the bobbin. iv) you really should have two spools of thread one for the top thread and one for the bobbin thread so you don't have to unthread the machine just to wind a bobbin. kgg
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Industrial flatbed upholstery machines similar to the Juki dnu-1541 S and similar clones will typically sew 3/8" (9.5mm) while the cylinder arm machines similar to the Juki LS-341 or 1341 and clones will typically sew 7/16" (11mm). Once you go above that thickness and / or higher then V138 thread you need a a Class 441 machine, which the one armed bandits are, either manual or motorized. When I wanted a class 441 machine I choose to go with a motorized machine as for me I figured the bloom would quickly fade having to move that lever up and down for each stitch. The class 441 machines excel at thick / tough leather but can be dumbed down to thin stuff with smaller thread. I suggest you follow the 90 percent rule, doing mostly thinner flat items get a flatbed or a cylinder arm machine with a table top attachment. No one machine will do everything. Buy Once, Cry Once Here is a great article you should read to help figure out what machine would be needed for your stuff. kgg
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There are three one armed bandits that have similar capabilities. i) Tippmann Boss costing about $1000 USD ( https://tippmannindustrial.com/tippmann-boss-leather-sewing-machine/ ) ii) Cowboy Outlaw costing about $1600 USD ( https://www.tolindsewmach.com/cowboy-outlaw.html ) iii) Weaver Master Tool Cub costing about $2100 USD ( https://www.weaverleathersupply.com/products/master-tool-cub-manual-leather-sewing-machine-aluminum ) Some people prefer one over another but either should do the job. The thing to remember is the that all three are made to sew thick leather with a thick thread up to V415 and use a needle that is about the same size as a 2 1/2" finishing nail. The main question is what you want to sew and from there choose a machine. kgg
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To further what @Constabulary said here is a line from ISAC.net about the Singer 17-2 ( https://ismacs.net/singer_sewing_machine_company/singer-class-17-sewing-machines.html ) " Machine No. 17-2 has drop-feed across arm at right of needle and is used for closing the seams of Shot or other bags after they are filled, sewing buckram on Jean Pants, Pocketbook manufacture, etc. " Personally I think you should be looking for machines similar to at least a Juki LS-341 or clone depending on the thread size / toughness of the leather (chrome tan or veg tan). With old machines when you get into the 75 year bracket whether they are brand name or clone finding replacement parts can be expensive or sometimes impossible to find. If you can't find parts you wind up with a pretty boat anchor. When setup properly it is a game changer as you get the presser foot, the needle and the feed dog moving your item along particularity on thick items or multi layers. kgg
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Basically you saved about $1200 USD or more for a similar machine being sold in the US. kgg
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Looks good. You really should flush the machine prior to doing any real sewing to get any bits of manufacturing stuff out of the machine. Oil everything just not what is suggested. If it is metal touching metal oil it. Two questions: 1) Is that a plastic pulley on the servo motor?? 2) Cost Here is a couple of pdf's for the Juki LS-341 that may help. kgg 341 engineer manual.pdf Juki LS-1340&42 Servcie Manual.pdf Juki_LS-341N_Engineers_Manual.pdf Juki_LS-341N_Instruction_Manual.pdf
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Is this a machine I can use for leather? MA2457R-A1
kgg replied to isaac45isaac's topic in Leather Sewing Machines
From the information I was able to find it is a zig zag drop feed machine made for fabric. Here is a pdf of the Instruction manual. kgg CONSEW+2457R-1A+INSTRUCTION+MANUAL.pdf -
Sorry. Best of luck. kgg
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The question should be will a 15 ton press be sufficient to handle what you need. I would get the suppliers to do the calculations for you. Once you have that answered then you will be better able to determine what the best machine for your needs and budget would be regardless of supplier. kgg