Used Juki LS-1341 help ...

[GadgetX]

New member here.  Looking at a used Juki LS-1341 for my wife.  Had seller send actual photos of the machine for sell.  Could tell it was probably from a factory re-machine but for $2K plus shipping it caught my interest.  Exterior seemed fine.  I was concerned with the internal photos especially the timing belt.

Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

M

Edited Friday at 08:00 AM by GadgetX

[kgg]

3 hours ago, GadgetX said:

Looking at a used Juki LS-1341 for my wife.  Had seller send actual photos of the machine for sell.  Could tell it was probably from a factory re-machine but for $2K plus shipping it caught my interest.

To me I would say your concerns are justified. Looks to have been stored in a damp environment and poorly maintained.

kgg

[GadgetX]

I haven't seen any lightly used Juki LS-1341 machines.  My wife has a LU-2810-7 that I bought used.  It was a smooth and looked like it had be well maintained.  Probably look for another used one and if I can't find one buy her a new one in the next month or two.  She makes bags and she remarks how easy this would be if I had a cylinder type machine also.  

Thank you Sir for the your reply kgg !

M

[Cumberland Highpower]

I think allot of the 1341s you see on the market right now are imports.   I don't mean imports as in back when they left Japan all new and shiny.

There are lots of them being imported from Asia as off the floor used machines and are being refurbished here in the US w/paint/decals etc.

Basically machines that have seen hard use and cleaned up.

They're still good machines, bullet proof and all.  Just not 100% what they appear

[kgg]

48 minutes ago, GadgetX said:

 Probably look for another used one and if I can't find one buy her a new one in the next month or two.

Personally I would not purchase a machine that has been used in an industrial setting as you are really dependent upon not only the machine having good bones but the competence of the person / company refurnishing it. The factory is getting rid of it for a reason. Look for a hobbyist owned machine or if you can afford it buy a new Juki LS-1341 or 1342 or buy a new clone. If you decide to go with a clone try and get one that is more like the older LS-341 rather then a hybrid clone and go through the specs carefully.

kgg

 

Edited Friday at 01:00 PM by kgg

[GadgetX]

Really not interested in clones.  Haven't decided between the 1341 and the 1342.  The way I see it is the LS-1342 has the LS-1342-7 which is seems to be the cat's meow for bag makers.  My wife says she can do without the auto cutting but, prefers it.  She does prefer pedal control to knee control.  So she has a LU-2810-7 and loves it.  I am pretty much blind to the price somewhat, but $2k buys a bunch of beer and gas for the boat {:-).  There are not "Large" Juki dealers near us in Destin FL so it looks like I am going to have to deal remotely.  Does the forum have any dealers that are preferred?  Supporters etc....  Suggestions?

Thank You

M

[Cumberland Highpower]

I totally agree with you about not wanting a clone.  The real deals are almost always better.

I remember a few years back I was at a place and saw a stack of shafts from Juki 441 clones, they were bad parts removed from new imports and replaced with what I guess must have been OEM Juki parts?  I remember commenting on it and was told they were soft or out of spec, something like that.

Buying a rebuilt machine isn't always an issue.  Those machines were made to "make money" and as long as critical parts are tight and in spec it's good to go.  A good looking machine helps allot in pride of ownership/use though.  I've got a couple real dogs here w/no paint and been rebuilt a few times but still turn the $.

These 1341's you're seeing for sale are like I said mostly recent imports that are refurbed.  It's not really that the factories in Asia are using something better and getting rid of them, it's just that it's become a profitable thing lately for US importers to bring them over.  That gravy train might vanish after Trump's Tariffs?  

I've myself "imported" 2 machines lately from Japan.  Bought on yahoo auctions...(Seikos).

The weight would be a killer on a 1341 though, probably not practical? The machine heads I bought from Japan cost $120 to ship, the other $325!

forsewing.us probably has the better refurbs, is that where you are shopping? I thought about buying one from him a while back. I think the guy that runs that place is Chinese, likely where they're from?

There are 341s around and I occasionally see the Nakajima parent machines for sale on FB Marketplace. A new 1341 is like 5k plus....If you call that "Industrial Sewing Machine Man" (google him) he might be able to get you a good price on a new one.  He's kind of a broker/middle man.

Edited Friday at 02:48 PM by Cumberland Highpower

[GadgetX]

So one dealer is recommending the LS-1342 over the LS-1341.  Thoughts? Almost no different in cost.

M

[kgg]

7 hours ago, GadgetX said:

Thoughts? Almost no different in cost.

This depends on your particular needs. The two main differences between those models:

i) LS-1341 has the standard (large) throat gauge while the LS-1342 has the smaller throat gauge for doing smaller items

ii) LS-1341 does not have the adjustable vertical walking foot adjuster (big round knob on top of machine) like the LS-1342

Here is a link to Juki LS-1340 series machines that shows the differences ( https://www.juki.co.jp/industrial_e/admin/pdata/filedata/332/ls1340.pdf )

kgg

[GadgetX]

Well I guess it is a moot point.  Been told that Juki stopped making the LS-1342 and the LS-1342-7.  No new or used ones that I can find.  Got a couple of dealers looking...

M