Juki 1341 questions

[TopHat]

So my wife and I have been perusing the threads for a while, and we have sort of settled around the Juki 1341 as the leading candidate for a medium duty handbag/tote/purse machine. She is going to start working with heavier cottons like denim, canvas/waxed canvas, and a couples layers of 6oz or less leather. The other candidate we are strongly considering is the Cobra Class 26 for a cylinder arm machine. 

Probably the main reason the Juki leads is that we live very close to a great Juki dealer and support will be first rate if there's ever a problem. He will set the machine  up with the speed reducer etc like my wife would like, deliver it to our home, give instruction, etc. One issue we can't seem to figure out is whether this machine has accessories for it that will allow for smooth feed dogs etc for working with leather, or if its generally not necessary on this class of machine. 

One of the few complaints I've ever seen about the Class 20/26, which has a smooth feed system built in, is that if you feed anything other than leather or maybe a canvas through it, it doesn't do as well. I'm sort of worried about having that problem in reverse, with the 1341. 

I've seen that other machines, like the Cowboy 4500, which is a heavier class machine, has vendor support for both types of accessories so you can feed practically anything through it as long as you change out the feet/feed dogs. Its unclear to me whether these things exist for the medium duty machines. 

My wife also does upholstery work and so we're looking at a 1508 to pair with this machine. The 1508 we are also hoping will handle leather projects that lend themselves to flat table work. So we do have a little flexibility on the setup for each. 

One other thought that we had was that we could get the 1508 for flat work and basically set it up with 92 thread, and then perhaps get something heavy like a CB4500/Class 4 and set it up for 138 or 207 thread, so the machines would cover a range of work basically as thick as we'd ever go, but we are also a little worried that the CB4500/Class 4 might be a tad overkill for bagmaking and maybe wouldn't be utilized? 

I was hoping someone would chime in who perhaps had experience with one of these machines and the clones and let us know what might be some good thoughts for us to further consider. 

Edited July 14, 2018 by TopHat

[kgg]

I would go with the Juki line of machines particularly if you have a excellent / service dealer close to your location. However before deciding take a couple samples in and run them through to see what machine or machines will do the job plus more for the future as well see what accessories that are available like feet /binders/folders. You did mention the Juki flatbed 1508 which is a very very nice machine but don't count out the 1541S. There has been discussion on the forum and some people feel the difference in ability versus cost difference have or would have chosen the 1541S. I chose the 1541S and for what I do it is an excellent workhorse. 

kgg

 

[JJN]

I hope I can jump in on this thread. I am picking up a Juki LS-1341 next week and would like to know what binders are available for this machine and any experiences or  recommendations folks here at LW might have about binding on this machine.

I also have a Juki flatbed 1541s and can attest to @kgg comments that it is a fantastic machine and I have no regrets buying it.

[Uwe]

The Cobra Class 26 is really just a copy of the Juki LS-341, the predecessor of the Juki LS-1341. There's probably nothing wrong with the Cobra Class 26, but there's also no point in pretending it's anything other than a brown copy of the Juki original.

Since the Juki LS-1341 is a current production machine, parts and accessories should be plentiful and readily available from any Juki dealer. Hopefully this includes both serrated and smooth feed dogs - your Juki dealer will know. Presser feet of any shape and form are readily available at various quality and price points from many vendors.  The Juki LS-341 and LS-1341 use standard Singer 111W style feet which is great if you want to have a large assortment of specialty feet for piping etc. without breaking the bank.

I don't have a Juki LS-1341, but my Juki LS-341 is among my favorite designs, and I'd hope the Juki LS-1341 improves that design even more.

Binding on a Juki LS-1341 is possible, but the Juki binding parts kit (part# 214-34857) to do it properly runs upwards of $400 and that's before you buy an actual tape folder.

Here's a screen shot of the binder options section from the Juki LS-1341 brochure (ls1340.pdf)

  

Here's a picture of the binder kit for the LS-1342 just for reference and to give an idea of how many parts the binding kits contains:

The Juki TSC-441 class (and Cowboy CB-4500 and other clones) are BIG machines and they can be downright intimidating when you sit down in front them. Not everybody gets a warm and fuzzy feeling from these monsters and it may limit willingness to actually use one. Best to try it out in person first. Hopefully your local Juki dealer has a well stocked show room.

Juki also makes a medium-heavy duty cylinder arm machine that is bigger than the Juki LS-1341, but not as big as a Juki TSC-441. This relatively new machine is the Juki LS-2342 (Juki-LS-2342 flyer.pdf) The Juki LS-2342H version goes up to thread size 266. I saw this machine at a trade show and it is very impressive. This might be a good option if it's in your budget (not everybody is looking for the cheapest option, some folks want the best they can afford.) Here's a picture of the Juki LS-2342 that gives a sense of scale:

 

Edited July 15, 2018 by Uwe

[TopHat]

14 hours ago, Uwe said:

 

Juki also makes a medium-heavy duty cylinder arm machine that is bigger than the Juki LS-1341, but not as big as a Juki TSC-441. This relatively new machine is the Juki LS-2342 (Juki-LS-2342 flyer.pdf) The Juki LS-2342H version goes up to thread size 266. I saw this machine at a trade show and it is very impressive. This might be a good option if it's in your budget (not everybody is looking for the cheapest option, some folks want the best they can afford.) Here's a picture of the Juki LS-2342 that gives a sense of scale:

 

 

Oh wow, that is a beast. From the spec sheet the H model would seem to be the in between size, going all the way from 69-266. I know my dealer doesn't have one of these on the floor but I sent him an email asking if he can get me a price on this. Can you relay to me what you thought was very impressive about this machine in person? I'm not sure what Juki direct drive is, but it appears it might have a motor mounted in it already? 

[Wizcrafts]

1 hour ago, TopHat said:

I'm not sure what Juki direct drive is, but it appears it might have a motor mounted in it already? 

That is correct. The new top of the line heavy duty Adler machines have a direct drive motor in the body and now Juki is moving in that direction too. This gives the manufacturer total control over sewing direction, speed and needle position without external or third party calculations. There is no doubt that the built-in motor is covered by the Juki dealer's warranty with the original purchaser. It is also possible that said warranty would not follow a used machine to subsequent buyers. This is something to bear in mind if you were to buy such a machine used.

[Constabulary]

wondering how many people will look for replacement motors for these machines in 5 - 10 years... Will there be after market motors - who knows?

[brmax]

Im sure The ball park figure on that newer Juki is in the $7K range for starters. With that Im not qualified to run it 

 

good day

Floyd

[kgg]

The new direct drives remind me of the old singer sewing machines made for home use like some of the 15-91's that had the built in motors that were expensive and hard to replace. As Wiz and Constabulary note that the manufacturer has the control of how the machine should work and will also have control of future replacement motors. I know if I could afford the cost of one of those direct drives I would opt for something else that I had more control over of how it is ran. But I can see why they are going in that direction, manufacturing / shipping cost savings. My question is the new direct drive from Juki made in Japan or China?

[DonInReno]

On July 14, 2018 at 1:22 PM, TopHat said:

...and then perhaps get something heavy like a CB4500/Class 4 and set it up for 138 or 207 thread, so the machines would cover a range of work basically as thick as we'd ever go...

I've done a little canvas work with an artisan 3200 (441 clone with 12" arm) and 138 and 207 thread and it works just fine, but the types of presser feet for these machines that aren't smooth are not as numerous as those for an upholstery machine, although there are plenty of good designs that can be altered if you don't mind tinkering a bit. Even with feet and feed dog very close to your favorite designs these are big machines that aren't quite as user friendly or fast as an upholstery machine.  It's like driving a two ton truck around town - you can do it, but most people wouldn't unless the extra capacity is required. 

Having said that, I think there's never a bad reason to get another machine that fills a gap so it's hard to go wrong with your choices!