Needle bar thread guide

[mixmkr]

So, of course I broke my needle bar thread guide on my JUKI LU562, trying to open it up a bit, as I was beginning to have problems feeding my 138 thread into it.  The machine has been able to sew fine without it, albeit I'm taking it slower, as I have projects I MUST complete asap.  Ordered and on the way.  So...other than help guide the thread into the needle groove, (use a zip tie..ha!), am I missing an important function?

[Wizcrafts]

First, needlebar mounted thread guides position the top thread inside the rib along the side of the needle. In your case, it's the left side that has the rib.

Second, by feeding the thread through this guide you keep it vertically aligned as it feeds down and through the eye of the needle. This reduces the amount of left deflection that tends to happen as you sew. The tighter the tensions, the greater the pull to the left as the needle goes in and out  of the material.

[mixmkr]

thanks Wiz.  Doing outside canvas work, I'm not seeing an appreciable drop in stitch quality and I understand the left pull you describe.  I'm set at maximum stitch length...about 7-8mm, so I'm not getting all zig zaggy either. 

[Constabulary]

Never liked this thread guide - I once replaced mine with a different type thread guide from a Singer 211 but I don t have the parts number - sorry. I think it was from a 211G model