Juki LU-562 barn find

[Jacktheboatguy]

I've been doing boat upholstery for a couple of years using a Singer 201 and it's barely up to the job. I've had to back off #92 thread & go to using #69 because it just can't handle it. When 2 seams meet & I've got 4-6 layers to go thru, it pretty much dies. Imagine my surprise when a relative mentioned he had an old machine in the barn that he would probably throw away when he got back to it. I could have it if I wanted. Turns out it's a really dirty Juki LU-562 that supposedly worked about 20 years ago. I'll know more after cleaning but it doesn't appear to be badly worn. Sooooooo, I need a couple of items:

1) The clutch motor has to go. Any recommendations on a good servo vendor? I wind up doing a lot of curved work so, with my skill level, I need to be able to really slow it down. I was sort of planning to put a smaller pulley (50mm ?) on the motor and a much larger one (180mm) on the head shaft. I see though that the flywheel and upper pully are a single piece. Any thoughts on how to slow the thing down short of a speed reducer?

2) The manual isn't clear on needle types. Is 135x17 the correct description? I'll be using #20 or #22. Good sources here in the US?

3) I can't find a description for the bobbins other than B9117-051-000. There's a place called Cutex that sells those. Would these be the right ones?

4) Sometime over the years, the bobbin winder mechanism got lost. A place in TN (Southstar Supply) seems to carry them - reasonable? Winder Link

5) There a couple of feet I'm going to want (an edge guide & a binder attachment). Am I correct that any walking foot that fits the Consew 206RB/225/226R or Singer 111W machines will fit this one? There's a vendor (CKPSMS) out of China that carries them. Any recommendations on a domestic supplier?

I know this is long-winded but I'd really appreciate any insights.     Jack

[Northmount]

@Jacktheboatguy Moved your post - Even though you aren't sewing leather, you'll get more response in this area - Leather Sewing Machines.

Tom

 

[Wizcrafts]

Your Juki uses the same needles and "G" size bobbins as the Singer 111w155. The needles are System 135x17 (round point for cloth) and 135x16 (leather points). They are sold by every industrial sewing machine dealer who sells walking foot machines.

Your machine also uses the same feet as the Singer 111w155.

[Jacktheboatguy]

Any thoughts on a servo motor. Amazon several 550W ones (Mophorn/Enduro/Rex/...) in the $100-$120 range.

[dikman]

Any of the common/generic servos will work. As for the handwheel, I've fitted larger pulleys to a couple of my machines and they work fine. It's easier than fitting a speed reducer and works the same.

[Pintodeluxe]

Yes, I would just get a Rex 550 w servo.  The simple kind with a dial to adjust the max speed is fine.  Swap the 70mm motor pulley for a 45mm pulley and it helps a great deal.  Try that for a while and see how it goes.  You can always add a speed reducer down the road, but many people find in unnecessary.  

Standard G style bobbins for your machine.     

Feet are interchangeable with Consew 226, Consew 206, Juki LU-563

Edited March 16, 2020 by Pintodeluxe

[Jacktheboatguy]

Thanks to all for the information. My learning curve on this machine is pretty steep.   Jack

[shoepatcher]

pics????

[Jacktheboatguy]

I put the Rex 550W w/ a speed dial on it & changed the pulleys to 1 1/2" on the motor & 5" on the head. With the RPM dialed down, I can slow it down to a crawl now (matches my skill level). It goes thru 8 layers of marine vinyl like nothing is there. Still tweaking the tension to get it right though. There's a bit of corrosion on the disks so new ones are likely in order.

I'm anxious to try out some new attachments & have some fun with my new toy.

Is there a way to disengage the motor when I want to turn it by hand? Right now it's really hard to turn.

[Wizcrafts]

2 hours ago, Jacktheboatguy said:

Is there a way to disengage the motor when I want to turn it by hand? Right now it's really hard to turn.

Can you adjust the position of the control arm to get some free play before the motor engages? If so, make it sew! If not, open up the end of the motor with the control arm and remove the brake pad. This will give you at least 1/4 inch of free play.

If you just need to hand wheel some projects, wind the belt off the machine pulley, or raise the motor belt tension adjuster nuts high enough to relieve the friction on the belt..

[Jacktheboatguy]

Wiz - Thanks! Experience is a wonderful thing. When I released the pedal, it was going into full brake mode. Removing the brake pad did the trick. The motor's even a bit quieter.