Nakajima 321L is this worth the $1400 price tag?

[leatherforge]

Like the title says I'm looking at this Takajima 321L and I'm wondering if such an old machine is worth $1400. I would prefer to buy Japanese made if I can but I don't want to make a mistake with such a huge purchase. Does anyone know much about these machines? I've read the other posts about these but maybe someone can weigh in with a few more details. For one thing I'm curious if anyone knows if I could find parts to replace anything old or broken. Also I'm curious if anyone knows anything about the motor on the machine in this particular Facebook post? Any information would be helpful thank you! 

 

https://www.facebook.com/share/1AWMM2PeFe/

[kgg]

6 hours ago, leatherforge said:

For one thing I'm curious if anyone knows if I could find parts to replace anything old or broken.

I would run not walk away at that price. Buy something from a manufacturer that is still in business.

Nakajima 321L is a needle feed machine and for leather work you really need at least a walking foot machine.

The Nakajima 321L is what the old Juki LS-341 was based on, according to the info I have seen, with some changes. The first Juki LS-341's if I'm not mistake began in the early 1970's. From that the Nakajima 321L is going to be will over 50 years old. With the Nakajima sewing company being part of the Juki company since the 60's or 70's finding the different parts could be difficult. 

What are you planning on sewing????

kgg

Edited June 26 by kgg

[leatherforge]

Thank you so much for your response! I had a suspicion that this machine was very old and overpriced. I think that you have confirmed my fears and saved me some travel time. It's a good call to buy a machine made by a company still in business. 

I don't think that you "need" a walking foot machine to sew leather depending on what you're sewing. In this case I am looking for a machine that can sew soft to semi-soft temper leather for bags, garments, and accessories. Nothing super thick. I have seen needle feed machines used with great success for these purposes. I was hoping to find something that would make sewing zippers into leather reasonably smooth. What kind of machine would be adequate for that do you think? 

[kgg]

7 hours ago, leatherforge said:

I don't think that you "need" a walking foot machine to sew leather depending on what you're sewing.

The problem that arises is when sewing multi layers like seams where seams cross etc. The more layers adds not only thickness but the layers can slip around when you are using a drop foot machine.

No one machine will do everything. 

A flatbed machine is good for sewing flat items like belts / wallets etc.

A cylinder bed machine is good for sewing items like bags etc.

You can turn a cylinder bed machine into a flatbed machine by installing a flatbed table top attachment.

The most common new industrial sewing machines for leather related sewing these days are compound feed (needle, presser foot, feed dog). I have a Juki DU 1181N walking foot machine for when I sew items that are less then 5mm (~3/16") thick and with thin thread (V69, V92) as my Juki DNU-1541S really hates thin stuff particularly if I use V69 thread and it has a tendency to want to suck fabric down into the needle plate.

I would suggest taking a sample of your stuff to a brick / mortar store using the thread size you would like to use and give a few machines a go. 

As a note if the:

i) Flatbed -- Juki DU 1181N would work for your stuff they cost about $1500 new.

ii) Flatbed -- Juki DNU 1541S about $2500 and a clone like the Cowboy CB 1541S about $1600

iii) Cylinder Arm -- Juki LS-1341 about $5200 and a clone like the Cowboy CB 341 about $2400

A lot is going to come down to how thick your wallet is.

Buy Once, Cry Once

kgg