Juki 1341 experience? pros cons?

[plinkercases]

9 hours ago, Wizcrafts said:

My bad. Sorry bout that Chief. I am not yet versed on the 1341. But, I can tell you from my very brief investigation, they sell for the mid to high 4k US range. That would put the price in Canadian dollars at least at $5,000. So, I assume you are buying a very used machine for only $1900 CDN

No worries Wiz and no it is new in box from the importer/distributor and branded Kobi but the same mechanical unit.

Unfortunately he doesn't have one set up but I can ask him who he sells to that may have one on the floor then take some of my thicker veg tan to them and see it will run it.

he did show me a sample of almost have inch built up of upholstery leather layers that he said it can do. and a sample with a seem made of fairly robust upholstery leather with a piping in it.

More to think about and thanks lads.

 

[Hockeymender]

I had a 1341 before I acquired my CB 4500. It was a great machine and was built like a tank. Everything I threw at at it handled without complaint. I used to run 180 needles and sew plastic knee caps on to shin guards. I also sewed skate boots with it. Don't know how the Kobi version stacks up, but the Juki 1341 is a war horse IMHO. 

[Uwe]

The clones sometimes need considerable setup and tweaking out of the box to make them cooperate. Usually the dealer does that. If you're doing it yourself, here's the engineering manual for the Juki 134x series to help with that task:

http://semsi.com.mx/Manuales/JUKI/LS-1340&42-7EM01_e.pdf

 

Edited August 13, 2016 by Uwe

[brmax]

To think I had a few factory manuals, but lacking that above information I considered when there was a question you could be ask.

Now you went a put the exact manual in front of me for homework, OMG this old and still homework!

Thanks Uwe!, you da man

Floyd

[Uwe]

There are very few true Juki LS-1341 clones out there, actually. Most clones are based on the older Juki LS-341 design, the predecessor to the 1341. The info on the Kobe House brand's  Japan Sewing Machine & Supply Co. website is a bit sparse.  Do you have any pictures of your Kobe 1341 clone?

Edited August 13, 2016 by Uwe

[plinkercases]

Uwe the importer also deals in Juki name brand as well and told me it was made by the same manufacturer but just literally rebranded to Kobi so no a clone but rebrand of the same mechanical unit. But I will confirm that with him if I am going to buy. Thanks for the manual and I think I will ask him to unbox and set it up for me even if I have to pay him a little more if I go for it. I can literally put it in the van and be home in 15 minutes so it should stay as set.

Thanks Hockeymender for the good feed back.

Thanks all for the help so far.

 

[Wizcrafts]

4 hours ago, plinkercases said:

Uwe the importer also deals in Juki name brand as well and told me it was made by the same manufacturer but just literally rebranded to Kobi so no a clone but rebrand of the same mechanical unit. But I will confirm that with him if I am going to buy. Thanks for the manual and I think I will ask him to unbox and set it up for me even if I have to pay him a little more if I go for it. I can literally put it in the van and be home in 15 minutes so it should stay as set.

Thanks Hockeymender for the good feed back.

Thanks all for the help so far.

 

There has to be more than a different name tag to account for a price difference of $2,500. Somebody is pulling your leg. You get what you pay for in sewing machines. Ask for a warranty that covers parts and labor for x number of months, just in case, plus ask if you can call the dealer for help when things go south.

[plinkercases]

I was in his warehouse, saw the boxes, saw his tech room, saw machines out, and was referred there by a dealer who says, "if you want industrial machines or parts in Toronto this is the guy". This all comes out of him not being able to help with an adaptor to put a presser foot on my old Singer 96K51, he asked what I was using it fro and I explained and so he says "I can sell you this for that." Shows me the Juki catalogue he has and picture on his inventory pics but says the only difference is it says Kobe on it - which is his own "brand" - may be a clone or relabelled but I am asking him that - no reason fro him to carry his own brand and it not be a reliable machine.  he said fro specs I can just look at the Juki site and materials. I asked " You will sell to me at wholesale and new?" and he says yes and its in the box or I would show it to you. He even wants the tax on top of 1,700 CD which brings it to about 1,900. Wasn't fishing fro a cash deal and I didn't ask for one. Sure would be a business expense.

I see no reason for him to pull my leg and perhaps mess his reputation (not that I could do real damage as a little guy, but I could go back to the dealer who referred me etc..) and he seemed upset he couldn't help me since my machine was over 80 years old. Nice guy and so was his tech.

http://www.japansewing.com/index.html

This could just me I was in the right place at the right time.

And yes of course I will make sure I am clear on who services it if it goes south.. him or a dealer.. and I will be confident of warranty details before I buy from him. Again I see no reason for him as one of the heads  of the machine food chain here to mess a little guy like me over. But I have been wrong before I am sure....

I am waiting for an email answer to a few questions before I make any decisions.

More will ne revealed I am sure.

[brmax]

I don't doubt what you seen at the business, earlier in the year I seen clones looked to be exactly as the 1342, including the knob on the top so adjusting the step option. I cannot seem to recall a name on it but I sure was surprised at it with the option as mentioned. Also I remember it was listing under 2000US wherever on this net, so if your looking look for the options.

Its a small world nowadays, take a look at the shirt label your wearing or the screw driver in your tool boxes. We all have to go on experience and when a new item is out we hunker around and learn what we can and keep working or tweakin.

Keep us all posted, and its always great to hear of new business startups.

Floyd

[Uwe]

Having a dealer close-by who's personable, knowledgable and motivated is a big deal and worth a LOT all by itself. If you get good vibes from them, then the machine you're considering may be a perfect fit with great support. I personally really like the Juki LS-341 and LS-1341 class of machines and a well-done clone or re-badge is the prudent choice for many crafters.

The same-factory-different-label cooperation between OEM and secondary custom branding is somewhat rare in the sewing machine world but it does happen. The Durkopp Adler and Global brands are one example. DA makes post bed machines at the Minerva plant in the Czech Republic. DA bought the Minerva plant from Global and made some cooperation agreement. All the machines come off the same assembly line, but the higher-end machines with more bells and buttons get the DA logo, the basic machines get the Global logo.

Juki does operate factories in both Japan and China to my knowledge and who knows what goes on behind closed doors during the night shift.