idyllwildpatrick

Well now you guys have me reconsidering what I think I want or need. I had the opportunity to spend some time in a production facility, where they were mostly making backpacks, but also duffel bags, fanny packs, totes, etc. They did most of this on 1541s', but also had lu2810-7 and I think 1508 for doing binding with nylon webbing and zippers, and a few other machines for specialty things, etc. But most of what they were doing was with the 1541s and I know everything they were doing there could have all been handled on just the 1541s. I had never thought of a cylinder bed, but I do find that my home machines that allow me to fit something over the throat plate do offer some versatility. And I did not realize that you could convert a cylinder bed into a flatbed, that's kind of awesome. Is it really worth that much more money? Or what about the clones? I really liked the lu 2810-7 that I used, but I can't run compressed air or spend that much right now, and I need the machine to be a little smaller and quieter like the 1541. Again, I'm not really using leather (I will every once in a while) but more like - usually multiple layers of- ballistic nylon, cordura, canvas, taurpalin, nylon webbing, ability to make straps and bind edges with webbing, etc. Now that I'm thinking about it, I like the idea of a cylinder arm. I'm imagining how much easier it would have been to turn certain things or how it would be useful in making smaller items. But I also need a one trick pony, and need to be able to do binding on the same machine, will there be a problem with that on a cylinder bed? Do the speedway and yamata clones use the same parts as the jukis? Are these clones worthwhile?

Thanks so much for the input so far. Ok so I suppose I will go with the S model. My next question is about where to purchase. Like I said, I live kind of far away from anything in a little mountain town. but I regularly visit my mother, who lives in a bigger city 1.5 hours away. Near her is a sewingmachinesplus, a store that isn't the most well regarded but who do have the 1541 with table and servo for 1750. They would be the closest place to me if I were to have to bring the machine in anywhere. They are not an industrial machine place, more sell quilting stuff, but they do have a few industrial machines there. The other option would be international design supply, in los angeles, a highly regarded store that supplies students with materials as well as the public and some small businesses use them as a supplier for all kinds of stuff. I've been told I should buy my machine here, but it would be at least 2 hours each way for me if I need to go back and forth (If I were to have a problem with the machine) and would have to dedicate a day of sitting in traffic any time i would have to go there. However, I fell like they'll have more useful knowledge and know how when it comes down to it. Their price is similar, or close enough to sewingmachinesplus. Should I just go to the closer store that is more convenient, or should I go with a more reputable shop that will be a pain if I ever have to go in? I assume that either way, I'll have to bring this thing in somewhere if it ever needs work, I doubt anyone will want to come out to where I am for anything affordable. Thanks in advance for any help or input, really appreciate it.

Hello leatherworkers, I have used leather a few times in projects, but I don't consider myself a leatherworker. I do, however, sew and I know there's a ton of experience and info here. For years I've been wanting/needing an industrial machine. After much research, I thought I had settled on a juki dnu-1541s. I have since found a few people who say the "S" version is more headache than it is worth, and I'm all about keeping things simple. And that timing one of these machines is quick and easy. If I have never had an industrial machine, but am more than willing to learn to work on them myself, should I stick to the regular 1541? The other thing is that I live in a small mountain town and having to bring this somewhere to be serviced will require kind of a lot from me and I'd rather do anything I possibly can, myself. So is there a general consensus? Should I stick with the regular 1541 or is it worth it to get the "s" model? Thank you for any input. Edited to add; I want to make bags, like backpacks primarily and I have used a 1541s for this purpose, and it gave me issues. I was able to then switch to a juki lu2810-7 for the remainder of that project and it was a much more capable and highly controllable machine, but I can't spend that kind of scratch on a machine right now, nor do I want something that has to be connected to compressed air. But I knew the 1541 could handle everything inwas asking of it, but it wasn't my machine and the owner didn't want me tinkering with it, he just called a service tech. He said it just needed to be adjusted and that it had something to do with the safety clutch.