WHICH IS THE RIGHT SEWING MACHINE

[NickH]

Machine works great other than We tried the 277 top and 138 bottom and it didn't work so great. I need to call tomorrow and get the skinny on what we need to do to make it sew that because the specs say it will. We've been using 207 top and 138 bottom with a 20 or 22 needle still experimenting but that works great. My wife hogs the machine a little to much but she's happy! We've sewn thin velvet alone and up to two pieces of 8-9 ounce with no problem. I like the look of the bigger thread so I need to get on that. I am still sewing on 5 for speed slow but steady. For what I make books, wallets and belts it a dream. I hope this helps I'll post more once I talk to them about the 277 thread. The bobbin winder works great to. We are going to have a local guy come out and give a tutorial on the thread and bobbin tensioners I'll post more on that too. Again it's the Cobra class 26.  Sti hoping to get the class 3/4 for that 346 thread. 

[Wizcrafts]

NickH;

The hook on your model 26 is not designed to use or even pass #277 thread. There are insufficient clearances for such big thread. You should begin saving for a 441 clone to use thread sizes 207, 277 and 346.

[Uwe]

Can you please post some close-up pictures of your hook and also the spec page of your manual? If your hook as a part number referenced anywhere in a parts list or diagram, that would be super helpful, too. 

I am curious to see how the specs differ from the Juki LS-341 original. You're one of the few people who have access to this exceedingly rare Cobra Class 26.  The Leather Machine Company for some reason is  almost secretive about that machine. A postage stamp size image is all the info they offer online. 

It is possible that your machine's clone manufacturer made some modifications and perhaps used a hook that is different from the original Juki design.

Some Juki machines (e.g. Juki LU-563) support two interchangeable versions of their hook,  B1830-563-0A0 and B1830-563-BA0, the latter designed for "thick" thread. Perhaps there's a comparable thick thread version of Juki LS-341 hook design available. 

Edited February 24, 2017 by Uwe