Medium weight cylinder arm short list

[wkleather]

Machine experts, I am in the market for a medium wt. cylinder arm for 69-138 thread. I am starting some lighter wt projects (10oz max) and don't want to change my Adler 205 from the 207-277 she's running beautifully (don't think it'd run less than 138). I have a nice Singer 111w153 but flat bed limits its use in some phases of construction.

Thinking Adler 69-373, Pfaff 335, Consew 227RB, Juki 246, I am sure there are others, not really interested in new clones, though I guess technically Consew and Juki are clones. Walking foot, large bobbin a plus but not deal breakers. Part availability and options matter,  maybe a tape binder. Budget $1500-2000, maybe a little higher for the right machine. Any thoughts, opinions, or additions to my short list? Thanks.

[kgg]

2 hours ago, wkleather said:

I am in the market for a medium wt. cylinder arm for 69-138 thread.

If I am not mistaken, the Juki 246, Pfaff 335 and the Alder 69-373 are rated for V92 max. To get to the V138 rated thread you would need to go to a 1341 class machine like the Juki LS-341 or LS-1341 which is made in Japan while the Alders are made in Germany and the Pfaff's now being made in China. Parts/accessories for Alder and Pfaff tend to be much more expensive then Juki.

kgg

[wkleather]

5 hours ago, kgg said:

If I am not mistaken, the Juki 246, Pfaff 335 and the Alder 69-373 are rated for V92 max. To get to the V138 rated thread you would need to go to a 1341 class machine like the Juki LS-341 or LS-1341 which is made in Japan while the Alders are made in Germany and the Pfaff's now being made in China. Parts/accessories for Alder and Pfaff tend to be much more expensive then Juki.

kgg

Thanks. Looks like the narrow cylinders aren't up to the challenge of 138. I'll look into the 1341. I believe the 227 maxes out at 138. A new Juki is probably twice my budget, though I don't mind a good used machine.

[kgg]

11 minutes ago, wkleather said:

A new Juki is probably twice my budget,

Yep, expect to pay between $4000 to $5000 for new Juki LS-1341. The used market probably around half the price of a new Juki. Where as a new clone is about half or less the price of a new Juki.

kgg

[wkleather]

Thanks. I'll start my search for a  used Juki. I'll call Bob at Toledo and see what's available.

[Wizcrafts]

5 hours ago, wkleather said:

Thanks. I'll start my search for a  used Juki. I'll call Bob at Toledo and see what's available.

If you are after a Juki LS-1341, but don't want to spend Juki money, ask Bob about the Cowboy CB1341. He has them, but they aren't on his website yet.The machine is a Juki 1341 clone with leather oriented mods.

[wkleather]

2 hours ago, Wizcrafts said:

If you are after a Juki LS-1341, but don't want to spend Juki money, ask Bob about the Cowboy CB1341. He has them, but they aren't on his website yet.The machine is a Juki 1341 clone with leather oriented mods.

what advantage would a 1341 have over a 227RB? Are they the same feet, etc?

[Arturomex]

Techsew also has a 1341 clone listed as the 4800. I have one and I'm very pleased with it. They also have some videos on Youtube about this machine worth watching.

The 1341 clone is a little beefier than the lighter machines and has some features like an on-board bobbin winder and an adjustable presser foot climbing  mechanism.

If you really don't see yourself going higher than 138 thread  you might also want to check the Cobra Class 26,, CB341 and Techsew 2750. Not hard to compare specs on these machines.

Regards,

Arturo

[Wizcrafts]

2 hours ago, wkleather said:

what advantage would a 1341 have over a 227RB? Are they the same feet, etc?

According to Bob Kovar, the cb1341 uses an M size bobbin that is like 70% more capacity than the G bobbin in the 227 machines.The machine has stronger tension and pressure springs and can handle #207 thread. This is beyond my 227 that barely makes it with #138. I keep it threaded with #92 instead.

Hopefully, people who have a cb1341 will chime in. It is still a new entry to the US Cowboy line and was originally called the cb6900 by the manufacturer.

[wkleather]

9 hours ago, Wizcrafts said:

According to Bob Kovar, the cb1341 uses an M size bobbin that is like 70% more capacity than the G bobbin in the 227 machines.The machine has stronger tension and pressure springs and can handle #207 thread. This is beyond my 227 that barely makes it with #138. I keep it threaded with #92 instead.

Hopefully, people who have a cb1341 will chime in. It is still a new entry to the US Cowboy line and was originally called the cb6900 by the manufacturer.

Thanks Wiz. Thats the kind of info difficult to glean from spec sheets (other than bobbin size). A 1341 sounds like it would suit my needs. In the used market what about an Adler 269? M bobbin and 207 max, correct? If it's anything like my 205-374 it should last forever and hold it's resale value.