Juki 1541 reverse stitch question

[jyama]

Hi,

I recently purchased a used Juki 1541 that I now realize was in poor shape.  I downloaded the engineers manual and watch a lot of YouTube videos, as well as missing, broken and worn parts. I have timed the hook/needle and adjusted the forward/reverse stitch length to be the same.

The issue i have is when testing the forward and backstitch (not using thread), the backstitch will enter the same needle hole for 5 -6 stitches and then start moving further away from the front stitch holes.  This is on stitch setting 6.  Increasing or reducing the stitch length makes it worse with only the first 2 - 3 stitches going into the same hole.  I ran some stitches only forward and then another row in reversed and checked the spacing with calipers and the spacing was equal.

Is this normal with the Juki?  Or is there a specific time to hold the reverse lever to accurately backstitch in same hole - like only when the needle is down to start the reverse?  I was testing on 2mm veg leather.

I’m not sure if i need to adjust presser foot or dog to get better results.

Thank you in advance for your comments.

Jon

[friquant]

Attaching pages 12 and 13 of the juki 1541 manual.
After you adjust section 9 (horizontal feed cam timing), you will have adjusted it so that in a certain position, you can rock the reverse lever back and forth and the feed dog does not move.

This is the position you will want to initiate your reverse stitches from.

On a machine with a needle position sensor, you can set the position sensor to always stop at approximately that position.

 

 

 

 

Needle positioner or not, I find it useful to have some clear markings on the machine and handwheel showing you when you are in this  "reverse magic" position. Here's a picture of my alignment marks in blue tape.

Edited July 4 by friquant

[jyama]

Thank you for this awesomely helpful information Friquant.   Great tip on using the tape to mark specific location. 

[Wizcrafts]

On 7/3/2025 at 4:49 PM, jyama said:

The issue i have is when testing the forward and backstitch (not using thread), the backstitch will enter the same needle hole for 5 -6 stitches and then start moving further away from the front stitch holes.  This is on stitch setting 6.  Increasing or reducing the stitch length makes it worse with only the first 2 - 3 stitches going into the same hole.  I ran some stitches only forward and then another row in reversed and checked the spacing with calipers and the spacing was equal.

My first Juki was an LU-563. The reverse stitches were always smaller then the forward stitches Eventually, I discovered the adjustment to get the distances closer. However, as you found out, the faster I sewed, the greater the difference became. This was in the mid 1980s. Since then, I've had various machines with reverse levers, some of which matched at any speed and some of which were flakey, like my old Juki. A Consew 206RB-5 was pretty reliable in both directions.

Many of my current crop of sewing machines don't even have a reverse lever. I either sew all around to sew over the starting threads, or spin the work around 180 degrees and perform what I call, "poor man's reverse." In both cases, the stitch length is constant. I sometimes do it on a machine that has reverse simply out of habit.

[jyama]

Wiz,

thank you for this info. I wasn’t sure if the minor difference was an adjustment issue or just how the machine sews.  As this machine was in poor condition I wasn’t sure if I could adjust backstitch to be nearly perfect.  Your input helps me believe backstitch is good and  and to move on to practicing sewing.

I also do the “poor man’s reverse” on a Tippman Boss.

I did the adjustments Friquant recommended which significantly helped.  The tip to use the tape to mark when the presser foot and feed dog doesn’t move when holding the reverse lever also was greatly useful. 
 

Much Thanks to you both.