Thoughts on used machines?

[Rodzhobyz]

1 hour ago, Wizcrafts said:

The Juki 341 has been superseded by the LS-1341. Certain issues were resolved with the newer version.

The Juki 341 has been discussed on LW.N. Just search the Leather Sewing Machinbes forum for Juki 341 and read the problems and solutions. Here is one topic.

Thank you Wizcrafts. But now that posts-topic  is almost enough to put me off of a used machine.

Not that I couldn't eventually determine the cause of and correct such an issue, but I have to assume that situation could be one of countless possible mechanical anomalies for which I am not yet prepared to effectively troubleshoot on my own. 

 This will require a bit more consideration. Since I am starting fresh, without local consult and have no desire to become a forum nuisance, I may be better off paying the premium for new equipment and the services provided rather than risk having to learn to be a qualified machine tech at the same time as learning to craft leather. 

Much to learn...

Thanks again, Roger. 

[Wizcrafts]

2 hours ago, Rodzhobyz said:

This will require a bit more consideration. Since I am starting fresh, without local consult and have no desire to become a forum nuisance, I may be better off paying the premium for new equipment and the services provided rather than risk having to learn to be a qualified machine tech at the same time as learning to craft leather.

You will at least have free technical support from the dealer who sells you a new sewing machine (but try to not muck it up with self diagnosed failed repairs). I've bought countless machines and had to learn to fix them myself by trial and error (emphasis on error). I've only actually owned one brand new machine: a Cowboy CB4500. The dealer has never brushed me off, even though I bought it 7 years ago. Some dealers will offer the same level of support on rebuilt used machines they sell, but not usually on machines bought from other sellers, or which were sold as is.

Avoid buying from a drop ship middleman. Buy from authorized dealers who receive and unpack the machines, adjust them, fix any problems before shipping them and include a sewn off sample under the foot/feet.

[RemingtonSteel]

On 12/26/2019 at 11:25 AM, Rodzhobyz said:

But now that posts-topic  is almost enough to put me off of a used machine.

Don’t be so quick to write off used sewing machines.  

First let me state that I am a new user of leather sewing machines, but I am also a firm believer in buying the best of anything that you can afford. If you can afford a new machine, get one for all of the reasons stated above. If you would like something better than you can afford, then either wait until you can afford the better machine, or look for a used one in good condition. 

Personally, I like the best (for my purposes), but didn’t want to spend the money it costs for a new Juki 441 clone so I found a used one with little hours of use for about half the cost of a new one shipped to my door. Like you, I do this more as a hobby than a business so I couldn’t justify the cost of a new one.

A week into owning it, I had what sounds like the exact same problem you described above.  But with the help of the community (see post below) I was able to get back up and running in 24 hours. 

The experience (although a little scary, because I thought I had just created an expensive boat anchor), forced me to learn how the machine works, and retime it myself.  The machine now runs better than it did when I first bought it.

If I could offer one piece of advise to someone who purchases a used machine, it would be this: “When taking the time to clean and lubricate your new to you machine, make sure to check to see that all of the screws are tight, in the event some may have come loose over the years, like they had on mine”. If I had taken that step, I may not have had a problem in the first place; but then again I am grateful for all of the knowledge it force me to gain!