First post, First sewing machine, Juki LU-563 for $200

[ChipinAZ]

   Hello all,  I tinkered as a kid making dog collars for spending money.  It was all by hand but I really enjoyed it. Now at 60 yrs old I'm back at it.  After getting excited about it I read so many of the post's on here.  Really wanted a Juki LS 1341 cylinder post that I found. But this Juki LU-563 popped up locally for $200 and I jumped on it.  I read here that it could be a great starter for a beginner making wallets, check books and such.  It seems mechanically working by hand. It did not have a belt but the motor runs. Things do not have slop and play.  Reverse works, that's good.  The plan is get it functioning under power with the motor it has.  Seems to by so many video's on the Juki 563 that I'm sure I can fix about anything.  Plus I am a machinist so making any part is possible as well.  There was no bobbin with it but I read these take a U size which it good right?

  The end game is to freshen it up, put a new table top on and set it up with a 750w servo motor. But wanted to show you what I'm starting with. Were these Juki made in Japan?  I see most Juki ID tags say "made in Japan" This one says "Tokyo Juki Corporation"  Did I do OK on this purchase?  

[AlZilla]

Welcome aboard and back to Leathercrafting.

For $200, I think you did quite well. Wizcrafts speaks well of them in this post:

But the good news is that you'll always be able to get your money back out of it! Sorry I can't answer your specific questions.

[shoepatcher]

nice.  Needs some cleaning up and some accessories like thread stand.  Download the manuals to start.

glenn

[Cumberland Highpower]

Sure you did pretty good for $200.  The table/motor has some value and the head is probably worth a minimum of $400 if it's timed and functional.  Probably worth $600 total if you can prove it can sew.

[ChipinAZ]

I figured it was a decent purchase.  I really want to clean it up and repaint it.  But I'll get a belt and see how it does first. I love all things mechanical and fiddling with a sewing machine should actually be fun to figure out.