Juki 1508

[ElFishbone]

I recently bought a Juki 1508. That is what the tag says, no additional letters(N,H,NH). It is a white model but it has a single  top tension knob like the 1541. Did the early models come out like that or was that a P.O. or dealer added.? I know from research this machine was a replacement for the 562 and 563 models which also had single top tension adjusters.

It is also set up with a clutch motor which needs to be changed or updated with gear reduction or servo. I don’t do a lot of heavy leather, occasionally 2 layers of 6 oz. Can I get by with just a servo replacement motor? What size 550 or 750W?

 

Thanks 

[GerryR]

I don't know anything about the machine, but for what you are sewing, the 550W would be fine.  However, having said that, there isn't much difference in price between the 550 and 750 models, so if you can afford the difference, go to the 750W model.  You can also add a speed reducer to the unit and get along fine with the 550.

[kgg]

4 hours ago, ElFishbone said:

It is a white model but it has a single  top tension knob like the 1541. Did the early models come out like that or was that a P.O. or dealer added.?

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

[Wizcrafts]

You definitely don't need a speed reducer if you buy the motor listed on this page and have it fitted with a 45 or 50 mm pulley. Your machine has a large enough pulley on the balance wheel that there will be significant speed reduction/torque amplification. But, you w2ill probably need to buy a new type 3L v-belt if the old one doesn't fit the new servo motor. You can buy it at your local Ace Hardware.

[Quade]

1 - The guide to the right of the tension assembled looks like it's flipped upside down. 

2 - From my research in the past, it should have the double-tensioner.    You can buy the double-tensioner and install it of you want to.   I might wait to see if you can get sufficient tension with the single tensioner for what you're doing before I considered changing it out. 

https://stanleysewing.com/shop/machine-by-function/walking-foot/juki-1508/

Here's another with a single tensioner. Maybe the original ones were all singles? 

[ElFishbone]

Thank you for the replies! And sorry for the late reply.
The machine is in very good condition and the price was even better. The only indication of wear is on the reverse bar, where someone probably rested a finger. 

KGG; Where do you find the coil information? I have looked at a number of servos and don’t find coil specs. Regarding the top thread guide, are you referring to the angle of the thread that goes up to the thread tree?  I just put it back together and I probably placed the thread holder too high. There is also a post on top of the machine that I didn’t use.

Wiz, Thanks for the reply, I will give Bob a call after TG.

Quade; the tensioner next to the adjustment knob is pictured in the same orientation as the link picture you sent. The manual doesn’t show the single tensioner option. I sent a email to Juki, but I have never gotten very good response from them on technical questions. 
 

 

[kgg]

40 minutes ago, ElFishbone said:

Where do you find the coil information?

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. 

53 minutes ago, ElFishbone said:

There is also a post on top of the machine that I didn’t use.

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

[shoepatcher]

I have one just like it.  First year they came out.  Only one tension assembly.  Same as LU562,563.  Came out in 1999-2000.  Juki reworked some things including the tension assembly and came out with the 1508N in 2001 i believe.       Put the 750 watt motor on it

glenn

Edited November 18, 2023 by shoepatcher