Need Your Opinion On Juki Lu-563

[Babbs]

Hi All,

I am in the process of buying a sewing machine for sewing leather. I have read so much on all the machines and I thought I would ask what your opinions are for the machine that would work for me, I would sure appreciate any help you can offer me

I want to sew leather dog collars for large dogs and make leather jackets with this machine. I have experience sewing and doing machine embroidery work but no experience and I know nothing about the different industrial machines.

I have read so much about all the industrial machines out there and there have been so many different opinions that I thought I would ask all of you that know your machines , what you tried in the past and what machine you highly recommend.

I have inquired about a Juki LU-563 . What do these run in price new and what would be considered a good buy on this machine ?

Would this work for me for what I'm looking to do in leatherwork or is there a better machine out there that I should be looking at ? I looked at a cylinder machine also and want your opinion on these.

I look forward to all your help, thanks so much !!

[CowboyBob]

The 563 is a good machine that has been replaced

by the 1508 which sells for $2,200.00.

So a good used machine 563 sells for $8-1,200.00

I have alot of customers using them & they work good as long as your careful when pulling up the bbobbin thread when you start.

The Consew 206 & Chandler 406 are also good machines & with the horizontal hook the don't jam up as easy & will take #207 thread were the max the 563 like is 138.

HTH

Bob

[Wizcrafts]

Babbs;

I used to own a Juki LU-563 and found it quite adequate for sewing leather garments and denim jeans. It was a staple of the leather and denim garment and upholstery trades for a couple of decades, starting in the mid to late 1980s.

New, the Juki LU-563 originally listed for about $2600, with a 1/2 hp clutch motor and table, but was frequently sold for about $2200 out the door. I worked for a sewing machine company in late 1988 and they were shipping these machines out as fast as we could assemble and test them. The LU-563 has been out of production for many years, so there are no new ones, hence no new price. The 563 has been replaced with a more modern design, known as the LU-1508 series.

One of the best features of the LU-563 was that they used a huge bobbin, known as a U bobbin. It is about 25% larger than the M bobbins used in Consew 206RB and Seiko machines and their knockoffs. The reverse lever is large and easy to use.

Being that the 563s are up to 30 years old now, you will have to check it out carefully to ensure that the machine is still fully functional and not worn out or shot. If the springs that balance the forward/reverse stitch length lever are weak, as mine were, the stitch length will vary with speed and direction. I actually watched my stitch length lever float upwards on its own, as I sewed fast.

The 563 was good for about 3/8" of material, with #138 thread and a #22 or #23 needle.

[Babbs]

Babbs;

I used to own a Juki LU-563 and found it quite adequate for sewing leather garments and denim jeans. It was a staple of the leather and denim garment and upholstery trades for a couple of decades, starting in the mid to late 1980s.

New, the Juki LU-563 originally listed for about $2600, with a 1/2 hp clutch motor and table, but was frequently sold for about $2200 out the door. I worked for a sewing machine company in late 1988 and they were shipping these machines out as fast as we could assemble and test them. The LU-563 has been out of production for many years, so there are no new ones, hence no new price. The 563 has been replaced with a more modern design, known as the LU-1508 series.

One of the best features of the LU-563 was that they used a huge bobbin, known as a U bobbin. It is about 25% larger than the M bobbins used in Consew 206RB and Seiko machines and their knockoffs. The reverse lever is large and easy to use.

Being that the 563s are up to 30 years old now, you will have to check it out carefully to ensure that the machine is still fully functional and not worn out or shot. If the springs that balance the forward/reverse stitch length lever are weak, as mine were, the stitch length will vary with speed and direction. I actually watched my stitch length lever float upwards on its own, as I sewed fast.

The 563 was good for about 3/8" of material, with #138 thread and a #22 or #23 needle.

Thanks for your help,I appreciate it. The Guy seliing this machine told me it's in Perfect shape and it's about 9 years old, when did they stop making them , would you know ?

[Wizcrafts]

Thanks for your help,I appreciate it. The Guy seliing this machine told me it's in Perfect shape and it's about 9 years old, when did they stop making them , would you know ?

I think they stopped making the LU-563 machines between 5 to 10 years ago, but I'm not certain exactly when. An authorized Juki dealer should have that info (if they've been a Juki dealer longer than 5 - 10 years).

Parts are available everywhere Industrial sewing machines are sold. Juki is made in Japan and is solidly built. A 9 year old LU-563 that has not been abused is worth whatever you pay for it. It is a workhorse.

I would go look at it sew before buying it, and see if the stitch length lever floats up at higher speeds and if the reverse position places the needles into the same holes.

Edited February 27, 2011 by Wizcrafts

[Babbs]

I think they stopped making the LU-563 machines between 5 to 10 years ago, but I'm not certain exactly when. An authorized Juki dealer should have that info (if they've been a Juki dealer longer than 5 - 10 years).

Parts are available everywhere Industrial sewing machines are sold. Juki is made in Japan and is solidly built. A 9 year old LU-563 that has not been abused is worth whatever you pay for it. It is a workhorse.

I would go look at it sew before buying it, and see if the stitch length lever floats up at higher speeds and if the reverse position places the needles into the same holes.

[Wizcrafts]

Babbs;

You quoted me but didn't type a reply! Please try again.

[Babbs]

Thanks so much for your help, I sure Appreciate it.

If you were buying a machine yourself for doing thick Dog Collars and Purses , what machine would you be looking at?? I realize the dog collars would be the thick leather but I also would like the machine to be able to handle lighter leathers as well.

[Wizcrafts]

Thanks so much for your help, I sure Appreciate it.

If you were buying a machine yourself for doing thick Dog Collars and Purses , what machine would you be looking at?? I realize the dog collars would be the thick leather but I also would like the machine to be able to handle lighter leathers as well.

I do sew thick and thin projects and have machines geared towards those extremes. At work, I sew on an Adler long arm motorized patcher and a Cobra Class 4 cylinder arm machine. At home I have a National walking foot machine, a Singer long arm patcher and a Union Lockstitch harness stitcher. Each does certain things better that the others. But, you asked my opinion for one machine that will do it all.

Okay. Collars are worn around animal's necks and should be pre-curved when sewn. Purses have shapes that may or may not need to hang down, below the left edge of the machine. This suggests a cylinder arm machine.

I'm not sure how thick your collars or purses will be, but when it comes to a sewing machine for leather, more is better than less. I'd buy a machine that could sew thicker that what I have in mind now, but still sew thin leather. Then, if you decide to sew holsters and sheathes, you will have enough machine to do the job.

Since you asked what "I would buy," the answer is a Cowboy or Cobra cylinder arm, compound feed machine, with a servo motor that can run below 60 rpm and possibly, a speed reducer pulley. I am personally familiar with both. Either brand will sew from 4 ounces (using a #18 or #19 needle and #69 or #92 thread), up to about 7/8", with a #27 needle and #415 thread.

If your collars will never exceed 3/8", you could get the job done with a "227" type machine. These are based on the ancient Singer 153 types. They have a 10.5" cylinder arm, about 2 1/2" in diameter and a triple feed walking foot system that allows you to sew right up to the left edge of the machine. Using the common series 135x16 or 135x17 needles, you can sew with thread sizes 46, up to 138 on these machines. They can be converted to sew a little thicker material, but not with much heavier thread than #138.

I hope this helps. You are welcome to PM me if you have more specific questions about these machines.

[shes2funky4u]

On 2/26/2011 at 7:21 AM, CowboyBob said:

The 563 is a good machine that has been replaced

by the 1508 which sells for $2,200.00.

So a good used machine 563 sells for $8-1,200.00

I have alot of customers using them & they work good as long as your careful when pulling up the bbobbin thread when you start.

The Consew 206 & Chandler 406 are also good machines & with the horizontal hook the don't jam up as easy & will take #207 thread were the max the 563 like is 138.

HTH

Bob

 

may I ask what you mean by being careful when pulling up the bobbin thread? Is there something different ya need to do when pulling it up?

thank you  I know this is an old post  but I’m looking at a juki 563 at the moment

[Wizcrafts]

27 minutes ago, shes2funky4u said:

 

may I ask what you mean by being careful when pulling up the bobbin thread? Is there something different ya need to do when pulling it up?

thank you  I know this is an old post  but I’m looking at a juki 563 at the moment

All of the top loading machine are temperamental about holding back both starting threads when you start sewing, plus, not pulling in the loose starting bobbin thread as you sew around an item. Failure to hold back the starting threads almost guarantees a jammed shuttle within a couple stitches. This has been my experience with Singer and Juki walking foot machines I have owned o9r operated since 1984.