Adler 169-373 vs Minerva 72317 101 vs Juki LS 1341

[lehmanjack945]

Hi everyone, 

I have a unique opportunity to buy one of these three machines (used) currently. This would be my first machine! Based on my requirements, the price point and assuming they're all in good working condition, which one should I pick? 

Minerva 72317 101 : $650USD

Adler 169-373: $1175USD

Juki LS 1341: $1145USD

My Requirements:

Will be making mainly bags and wallets (very different I know so maybe a flatbed attachment is in order here) 

Can stitch #138 thread size without trouble 

Cylinder arm 

Can sew through at least 5mm thickness

Popular enough so parts are readily available or a clone that can use drop in parts 

Some pics of the actual machines for sale:

Minerva (not heard of this brand before but I believe its related to Adler somehow?) owner claims its similar to Pfaff 335

https://imgur.com/a/minerva-sewing-machine-dvrnFSz

Adler 169-373 

https://imgur.com/a/adler-169-373-DSM1CFr

Juki LS 1341

https://imgur.com/a/juki-ls-1341-q1w7UIC

Would appreciate some advice - Thanks! 

Edited Saturday at 04:22 PM by lehmanjack945

[AlZilla]

You should make the effort to host your pictures here. Those imgur pics won't be there forever, then we have potholes in the forum for future users.

And there are people who just aren't going to click that 3rd party link.

You'll maybe need to reduce your images to get under our size requirements. 800 pixels in the longest dimension works pretty well.

I've not been hands on with any of those particular machines so I can't offer any specific advice. That LS 1341 gets a lot of good press around here, though.

[dikman]

Forget the Minerva, the Juki looks like a newer machine (?) and would be my pick for the money. As Al said they are generally highly regarded.

[lehmanjack945]

I went to go look at a Juki LS 1341 today from a local sewing supplies shop as I've been hunting around for a machine for a while and have had no luck finding much.

They were asking for about $1100 USD and reduced it further to $1000 flat after I pointed out that the interior was pretty worn looking. I have no experience in sewing machines really so my best guess is that it was used in a production setting. My question is basically is a solid workhorse like the Juki LS 1341 still okay after being worked hard in a factory?

Additional notes - the machine ran seemingly very well - no rattling or weird noises and sounded pretty smooth. The timing and stitching seemed pretty consistent and tight.

I've attached pics below of the interior, exterior and sewing examples on random scraps of leather. Any advice would be much appreciated! 

Edited yesterday at 05:44 AM by lehmanjack945

[lehmanjack945]

16 hours ago, AlZilla said:

You should make the effort to host your pictures here. Those imgur pics won't be there forever, then we have potholes in the forum for future users.

And there are people who just aren't going to click that 3rd party link.

You'll maybe need to reduce your images to get under our size requirements. 800 pixels in the longest dimension works pretty well.

I've not been hands on with any of those particular machines so I can't offer any specific advice. That LS 1341 gets a lot of good press around here, though.

It seems like the edit button disappeared now unfortunately. I'll keep that in mind for future posts though. 

I'm leaning to the Juki as well. I made a new post about the inspection I did on that machine, but maybe you could weigh in here as well ( or respond to my other post).

I've linked the new post here: 

(Mod Edit: 2nd post merged)

 

14 hours ago, dikman said:

Forget the Minerva, the Juki looks like a newer machine (?) and would be my pick for the money. As Al said they are generally highly regarded.

Yeah seems like its a cheaper, not really recognized brand. Going to try to see if the Juki is what I need. It seems to be definitely used in a production setting though. I'd appreciate if you have some experience in sewing machines to comment on the post I linked above. Thanks!

[kgg]

6 hours ago, lehmanjack945 said:

I've attached pics below of the interior, exterior and sewing examples on random scraps of leather. Any advice would be much appreciated! 

Photo 1:

i) Tells me it was used in a factory setting with little or no maintenance, the timing belt is cracked and is on it's last legs. The machine needs to be properly flushed out to remove any debris so it can be determined what else needs or potentially needs to be replaced.

ii) missing presser foot lifting mechanism

iii) missing base gasket and cylinder arm oil drain cotton cord

Photo 2:

i) Tells me someone replaced the main tension assembly and possibly the bobbin winder.

ii) Top thread guide pin missing

Photo 3:

Shows a lot of discoloration /  wear on the nose.

Photo 4:

i) Missing chrome cover plate on the front of the head that covers the lifting mechanism.

ii) In the background of the fourth photo I did notice a second Juki LS-1341 on a dolly.

6 hours ago, lehmanjack945 said:

I have no experience in sewing machines really so my best guess is that it was used in a production setting.

My bad mind tells me this is a fresh off the boat from an overseas factory setting and shipped in. Did you ask where the machine came from? Personally I don't recommend buying an ex factory machine. EX factory machines are gotten rid of for a reason unless you are prepared to do any possible repairs yourself and the price is dirt cheap. I would suggest you keep looking buying a good used machine from a hobbyist or buy a new clone from a reputable dealer.

Some others maybe better able to suggest a dealer close to you but you have not included your location.

kgg

Edited 21 hours ago by kgg

[AlZilla]

@lehmanjack945, I merged the 2 topics together so we can keep all the discussion in one place. You can re-add the original photos in a new reply. The edit button only stays for an hour or so. You'll get the hang of it. 

KGG has given you pretty much definitive info on the factory machine question. 

Good luck with your purchase decision.

[lehmanjack945]

2 hours ago, kgg said:

Photo 1:

i) Tells me it was used in a factory setting with little or no maintenance, the timing belt is cracked and is on it's last legs. The machine needs to be properly flushed out to remove any debris so it can be determined what else needs or potentially needs to be replaced.

ii) missing presser foot lifting mechanism

iii) missing base gasket and cylinder arm oil drain cotton cord

Photo 2:

i) Tells me someone replaced the main tension assembly and possibly the bobbin winder.

ii) Top thread guide pin missing

Photo 3:

Shows a lot of discoloration /  wear on the nose.

Photo 4:

i) Missing chrome cover plate on the front of the head that covers the lifting mechanism.

ii) In the background of the fourth photo I did notice a second Juki LS-1341 on a dolly.

My bad mind tells me this is a fresh off the boat from an overseas factory setting and shipped in. Did you ask where the machine came from? Personally I don't recommend buying an ex factory machine. EX factory machines are gotten rid of for a reason unless you are prepared to do any possible repairs yourself and the price is dirt cheap. I would suggest you keep looking buying a good used machine from a hobbyist or buy a new clone from a reputable dealer.

Some others maybe better able to suggest a dealer close to you but you have not included your location.

kgg

Thanks so much for the really detailed reply! I appreciate this alot. The total price the shop guy was asking for was $1600CAD and convinced me to put a $100 deposit on it. Hopefully I can convince him to convert it to a store credit of some sort or perhaps to take a look at the machine behind it. 

1. Would you say to abandon this deal? Or is it worth bringing to a repair shop? I might just have to lose the deposit since if it's not worth it. I'm glad I got your opinion first. 

2. Are the other 2 machines I mentioned worth checking out (Adler/Minerva)? 

It's a local sewing shop near Toronto. I put the prices in USD since I figured many of the users are probably American. 

Edited 19 hours ago by lehmanjack945

[kgg]

I will PM you.

[lehmanjack945]

2 hours ago, AlZilla said:

@lehmanjack945, I merged the 2 topics together so we can keep all the discussion in one place. You can re-add the original photos in a new reply. The edit button only stays for an hour or so. You'll get the hang of it. 

KGG has given you pretty much definitive info on the factory machine question. 

Good luck with your purchase decision.

Thank you!