341 vs 1341 parts and maintenance

[Isaac95]

Hi guys, I'm hoping you can help me decide on what machine / dealer would be best for my circumstance and location. I'm in upstate NY and not too far from Joey Leather Machines in East Berlin, Pa. It looks like he's is caring a Kolam 1341 starting at $3,000 which I imagine is a clone of the Juki 1341. Or I could pay the shipping from Leather Machine Co and get the Cobra 26 for around the same price I imagine. (though I haven't actually checked shipping rates).

My other next closest option would be getting a Cowboy cb341 from Toledo Industrial Sewing Machines which I think is somewhere around $2700 right now. Would there be any reason to get the Cobra 26 over the cb341 especially considering that I travel to the Toledo area regularly to see family?

The Kolam 1341 would be based off a newer model machine and Joey is closer to me than Toledo Industrial / Leather Machine Co. My main concern with the 1341 is cost and availability of parts in comparison to the older 341 style machines. What have your all's experience been with maintaining and procuring parts for 1341 style machines vs the 341 models? 

Looking forward to your comments,

 

 

[kgg]

1 hour ago, Isaac95 said:

I'm in upstate NY and not too far from Joey Leather Machines in East Berlin, Pa. It looks like he's is caring a Kolam 1341 starting at $3,000 which I imagine is a clone of the Juki 1341.

 

1 hour ago, Isaac95 said:

The Kolam 1341 would be based off a newer model machine and Joey is closer to me than Toledo Industrial / Leather Machine Co.

Not really my impression it is sorta a frankenstein clone of the Juki LS-1341 and Juki LS-1342. The Juki LS-1341 has a no vertical stroke (top knob near the handwheel) and has a wide guage throat plate where as the 1342 has a narrow throat plate. The Kolam 1341 has a wide guage throat plate and vertical stroke knob. With some of the "1341" clones they are using various thread bobbin baskets and some are using PFAFF. 

It appears to be their "house" brand clone.

I could not find:

i) any specs on this machine other then $3000 - $3250 USD depending on "style stand" which I assume means table style. 

ii) Thread/ needle capacity; servo motor size / type (brushless or brushed") , needle positioner or speed reducer.

iii) whether they are using Juki compliant parts throughout.

iv) is there a table top attachment available

v) other then it "comes with a warranty" I could not find what and how long the warranty is good for.

Keep in mind some clones spec the thread capacity on what can be stuffed through the max size needle that will fit in the needle bar where Juki rates their machine on what max thread can be used at max rated sewing capacity and there is a difference. 

Personally I think if you need more sewing capacity (thread size or item thickness) then a LS-341 or clone you need to move to a Class 441 machine (Juki TSC-441 or clone).

However it all comes down to what you want/need/desire to sew with what size of thread and how deep your pocket book is.

What are you planning on sewing with what size of thread???

kgg

 

 

 

 

[Isaac95]

15 hours ago, kgg said:

 

Not really my impression it is sorta a frankenstein clone of the Juki LS-1341 and Juki LS-1342. The Juki LS-1341 has a no vertical stroke (top knob near the handwheel) and has a wide guage throat plate where as the 1342 has a narrow throat plate. The Kolam 1341 has a wide guage throat plate and vertical stroke knob. With some of the "1341" clones they are using various thread bobbin baskets and some are using PFAFF. 

It appears to be their "house" brand clone.

I could not find:

i) any specs on this machine other then $3000 - $3250 USD depending on "style stand" which I assume means table style. 

ii) Thread/ needle capacity; servo motor size / type (brushless or brushed") , needle positioner or speed reducer.

iii) whether they are using Juki compliant parts throughout.

iv) is there a table top attachment available

v) other then it "comes with a warranty" I could not find what and how long the warranty is good for.

Keep in mind some clones spec the thread capacity on what can be stuffed through the max size needle that will fit in the needle bar where Juki rates their machine on what max thread can be used at max rated sewing capacity and there is a difference. 

Thanks this is all very helpful and helps me put it into perspective. Sounds like a 341 clone might be the better option.

15 hours ago, kgg said:

Personally I think if you need more sewing capacity (thread size or item thickness) then a LS-341 or clone you need to move to a Class 441 machine (Juki TSC-441 or clone).

However it all comes down to what you want/need/desire to sew with what size of thread and how deep your pocket book is.

What are you planning on sewing with what size of thread???

kgg

The thickest material I might sew (but not regularly) would be 2 layers of 12oz veg tan, but the majority of my projects are bags, wallets, and belts. Wallets I'll probably continue to hand sew but I need something to help me cut down on the production time of bags and belts. From my research, it seems like a 341 type is what is recommended for the type of work I do.

[kgg]

1 hour ago, Isaac95 said:

The thickest material I might sew (but not regularly) would be 2 layers of 12oz veg tan,

The 12 oz is roughly 3/16" (4.78mm) thick so two layers would only give you about 1/16" ( 1.6mm ) of max sewing thickness left. Depending on how tough/dry the veg tan leather is, needle selection and thread size a class 341 may Not work. My experience with a Techsew 2750 Pro (Juki LS-341 clone) with a speed reducer using 6.5 oz chrome tan, V138 and a #25 needle it will happily chug along doing 3 layers and says NO to 4 layers. For me this is the cross over to the Warlock Class 441 clone. 

Since you are going to do flat articles like wallets a flatbed attachment is going to be a must have item.

My rule of thumb is buy a new machine that will do 90 percent of your items and a good used machine to cover off the other 10 percent. In your case buy a new Class 341 / 1341 clone unless you can afford a new Juki LS-1341 ($6,000 USD) that will cover off your items and for the heavy stuff buy either a motorized or manual "one armed bandit" Class 441. 

Here is a link to a good needle size to thread size chart ( https://www.tolindsewmach.com/thread-chart.html ).

kgg