Phatdaddy Report post Posted June 27, 2011 I was hoping one of you may be able to help me with identifying and providing a few details on this machine. I'm trying desperately to find a machine to learn on and also see if it is worth investing in a new machine for the amount I will use it. I have come across very few used sewing machines in my area and the 2 I wanted were (IMO) priced way too high. Both were Juki LU563 and one was 1600 and the other was 1800 but had some thread. This one is very low priced and I can't seem to find any info on it. The person selling it doesn't seem very knowledgeable about it and isn't very tech savvy and took 4 emails to get me these pics and they aren't that great of angles. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks in advance. Kevin Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CowboyBob Report post Posted June 27, 2011 Well it should sew to maybe 16 oz of material,We still stock parts for this machine. Bob Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Phatdaddy Report post Posted June 27, 2011 Well it should sew to maybe 16 oz of material,We still stock parts for this machine. Bob Do you think you could tell me a bit of the details on this machine? Is it built the same or similar as a more common machine that there would be more info on? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wizcrafts Report post Posted June 27, 2011 The photos don't show the pressor foot/feet, so it's hard to tell if it is a walking or snapping foot machine, or straight needle. The first photo, of the right side, shows what looks like an ancient external clutch, for the motor, but I could be mistaken. Aside from those things, it looks like it is in relatively decent external condition. You'd need to inspect it in person and maybe take some decent photos of the head area, where the feet, throat cover/feed dogs and needlebar are located, as well as the back or left side shot of the head. If you see in in person and test it and it runs smoothly, make an offer and see what it can do for you. I agree that the prices for the Juki's are too high. They sell for half that amount in the USA. You could buy a decent condition Juki LU-563 from one of our dealers and have it shipped to you, with a motor and table, for a lot less than those local machines. You could even buy a brand new Consew 206RB-5 for less, shipped! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CowboyBob Report post Posted June 27, 2011 Yes,it has a walking foot,that has teeth on them that will probably have to be ground down so they don't mark. They quit making this type of machine 20 yrs ago,it used to be popular with upholstery people. I doubt if you'll be able to find much online about it since it's been out of production so long. It also has reverse.Take some laeather & go try it out & see how it sews. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Phatdaddy Report post Posted June 29, 2011 Well. I went to look at it, drove 150ish kms 1 way. All they could tell me was it worked when they stopped using it x amount of years ago. The plug was ancient and cracked so I didn't plug it in in fear of a fire or at least melting in someones home. I tried "rolling" it over by hand and it was very very tight and would move about an inch or so and everything was moving together. I talked to them a bit, thought about it a bit... and asked what their bottom line was. They said $100. I thought about it for a second or two and I figured wth, I've spent more than that on a night out drinking and lost more than that before at the casino (earlier years) if this failed it'd be no different. I got the machine home and got it in the basement. Looked it over for a few mins, then reached for the oil can. I'm pretty sure it is filled with 10w30. I know nothing about oiling a sewing machine, but everywhere there was a hole or a plate to remove I was adding oil. - side story - I was unscrewing a few screws in the top plate(where spool goes)...turns out I shouldn't have, there was a little tray with wicks that dropped off the bottom...I put it back on but it looks like it could go left or right. There are 3 wicks / I I <- that is how I put it back in, should it be like that or this? I I \ (one shoots off to a 45 degree angle. I let the oil soak while I examined the cord and plug. Cleaned the plug up a bit and plugged it in. Hit the switch the motor ran fast and quiet, no dragging or noises just a quiet hum with no vibration. I was pleased. There is a very beefy clutch system, cast iron I believe, I soaked the oil to the bearings down there too (not the clutch). By this time, I was wiping oil up that I dripped and decided to try and turn it over by hand again, to my surprise it was much easier to move and could move full rotations. I didn't do many, and then gave it more oil. I wiped out some dust and used some compressed air to blow it out of some more oil holes. (forgot to mention it was covered while they stored it with a vinyl cover so it wasn't THAT dirty. However some dust and lint was in some of the holes and cracks. I couldn't wait any longer, I pulled up a chair and eased down on the peddle, first some light scratching(from the clutch), then a little more scratching as I eased the peddle, then a chirp and it was engaging gave it a little help with the hand and off she went. No clunking, or odd noise. I didn't run it long only a few seconds and not even near opened up. I peeked in the couple holes and windows and the moving parts in sight were nicely coated with oil. I gave it more and filled up that wick system again. Looked through the parts manual and some parts that were with it. I was hoping there was a manual with threading instructions but there wasn't. I tried rolling the machine over by hand again and it is now MUCH easier, I can turn it over with just a palm and a bit of pressure, no need for a grip or anything. Couple questions if you don't mind answering, maybe I'll need to post pics( I will anyway): I still need to wire a new plug on, anything else? Threading instructions/directions. Proper bobbin threading and direction. Also there is a silver knob above the reverse with a silver lever. the knob is numbered 1-5, the level with lift up, but the knob will not turn. What is this knob and should I do something to free it up? Recommended needles and thread. I really appreciate your input, I know it must be taxing answering these questions. I'm sure there'll be more. (Thank you) Thank you greatly, Kevin Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wizcrafts Report post Posted June 29, 2011 Kevin; Buy some industrial sewing machine oil, called Lily Oil. It is sold in quarts and gallons. Get a small precision oil bottle and keep it filled with Lily Oil. Replace the 10w30 with the lighter Lily oil. Make sure those wicks feed oil holes in bearings, which they should lead to. There is probably a master oil pad that the wicks plug into. Replace it with some absorbent material if it has hardened. Check all mashing gears to ensure that there is no foreign matter caught in the teeth. Also, make sure there is a tiny amount of clearance in all mating moving parts. Eventually, you should be able to spin the hand wheel easily, with the belt off. Use some emery cloth on the external clutch, to remove rust or high spots. That should make the action smoother as you feather the clutch. Good luck with your new toy! Post pictures, or upload a movie of it working to YouTube. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Phatdaddy Report post Posted June 29, 2011 (edited) I was looking at the parts manual and on the back it says TDU N62, I think this is actually the model number and the other number that the seller gave me originally was the serial number. In any event, here are some more pictures. Kevin; Buy some industrial sewing machine oil, called Lily Oil. It is sold in quarts and gallons. Get a small precision oil bottle and keep it filled with Lily Oil. Replace the 10w30 with the lighter Lily oil. Make sure those wicks feed oil holes in bearings, which they should lead to. There is probably a master oil pad that the wicks plug into. Replace it with some absorbent material if it has hardened. Check all mashing gears to ensure that there is no foreign matter caught in the teeth. Also, make sure there is a tiny amount of clearance in all mating moving parts. Eventually, you should be able to spin the hand wheel easily, with the belt off. Use some emery cloth on the external clutch, to remove rust or high spots. That should make the action smoother as you feather the clutch. Good luck with your new toy! Post pictures, or upload a movie of it working to YouTube. Thank you Wiz, I'll definitely get some more suitable oil, and will definitely post pics or a vid once I figure out how to thread and adjust this thing lol Thank you to everyone for their help thus far. Edited June 29, 2011 by Phatdaddy Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Phatdaddy Report post Posted July 3, 2011 Well, the machine is lubed well. With the belt off, I can very easily roll the hand wheel. That silver knob I've figured out is the stitch length and have got it freed up and functional and I can easily adjust it. I also cut off that old plug and put a new one on I've tried sewing with it, I found some upholstery thread, I think it's #69 although it doesn't say on it anywhere, found some #20 needles which seem too large for the thread. I'm looking into getting some better suited thread and the appropriate sized needles from Bob, however, I'm having a heck of a time getting the adjustments for the tensions right. Some times the thread ends up with huge loops all mangled on the bottom other times the thread is straight across the bottom. I don't know for certain that I have it threaded right. I think I have the jist of how to thread it but the top tension seems off. I'll post a pic to show what I have done. I'm a bit confused by this one bar (yellow arrows) It sits in a link on an arm near the top and has a pivot point and then a "hook" that sits in between the top of the two disks of the top tension. I think I have something wrong there. Sorry for the complete noobiness. Thank you, Kevin I can take a better picture if this one isn't good enough, I think one of the kids drug my camera off, but i'll find it. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CowboyBob Report post Posted July 4, 2011 It looks like it's threaded corectly,do you have the thread pulled down in between the tension discs on the side?It looks like the thread is just setting around the outside if the tension. Bob Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Phatdaddy Report post Posted July 4, 2011 It looks like it's threaded corectly,do you have the thread pulled down in between the tension discs on the side?It looks like the thread is just setting around the outside if the tension. Bob In the picture, that isn't actually the thread. I drew that in there with paint to show how I was threading it. I do put the thread around the 2 disks, however on the top part of the disks there is the hook I mention in the previous post that pivots and runs to a link above and also a bar that i'm unsure how the thread should be routed around. I'll try to take a better pic tonight. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Phatdaddy Report post Posted July 5, 2011 (edited) After closer inspection i found that that hook thing that pivots is meant to relieve the upper tension when the presser foot is lifted. It was still very stiff and once i put a few drops of oil on it, and worked it a bit, it moved very freely. Now when the foot is down the tension on the disks is enough to push that hook up and the tension on the top thread returns properly where before that hook was constantly relieving the tension. I'm Thinking that buying this machine was probably the best thing I could have done starting out, it's helped me learn a lot about the different parts and how they work. I appreciate all of you, and the information you provide. I'm sure there will be more questions, right now I think I just need proper thread and needles and a lot more scraps. Cheers Kevin Edited July 5, 2011 by Phatdaddy Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
