Happy Dance - New (to me) Machines

[momto3fatdogs]

Finally got my machines delivered today. I don't know how good/bad they will be for whatever "business" comes my way. But I trust the man that sold them to me! 2 things I am super happy with? #1 the motors are silent. #2 I can turn down the speed. Maybe one day I can sew with theses jobbies w/a open, but that day is not today.

They are: Juki LU-562 & a Wilcox & Gibbs 5 thread serger. Not shown is a Consew CN-2230R that I bought last year.

Sam

[sofadoc]

I can't speak for the serger, but the 562 supported my kids from the cradle through college.

Congrats!

[momto3fatdogs]

Thank you sir. I hope to get many MANY years out of it too.

Sam

[Mojo]

Congrats on your new machines. :)

The juki's are real workhorses.

Chris

[baileyuph]

From the pictures, sure looks like very clean equipment, the shop isn't cluttered like shops get (mine).  LOL.  When you do everything, everything comes in and it isn't always clean. 

What will your service cater to?  Reupholstering furniture and slip covers?

You will never wear that equipment out, it still looks in very good condition.

Doyle

[momto3fatdogs]

I am only just beginning. The serger will be for slipcovers. Pretty sure I won't need it for upholstery. But, I could be wrong! The Juki is for upholstery. So far my upholstery experience consists of stuff I have done for myself, my family & my office. I still have a real jobs folks.  I have a new outlook on furniture & sure wished I'd have started this much earlier in my HOBBY tryouts. I have an extensive background in sewing & quilt making & where you see those machines is where I previously had a long arm quilting machine. But to be brutally honest? I paid my right arm for that long arm & I have used it less than a dozen times in 18 months & I felt like everytime I walked up the stairs from the basement it mocked me! So I sold it. Put $10G in the bank , paid my daughter's rent & bought these 2 machines. #1 I can't see them when I go up the stairs #2 they cost way WAY-Y-Y-Y  (sorry sofadoc, couldn't resist that!) less than that Nolting Long Arm machine. And that serger is the best serger I have EVER operated & I have killed 3 in my sewing past.  Simply wore them out. But those were just regular domestic sergers, not industrial/commercial.

So? Wish my luck. Prince Charming asked me what my "plan" was ..... I don't have one. But HE is retiring in less than 5 years. I'm slightly farther away from retiring than that, but maybe when he does, I can too & not have to work for corporate America. We shall see. (FWIW: if anyone nees to know about trash? I know sumthin bout it!)

Sam

PS: sure would like to see more before/after ohotos! Ya'll are such an inspriation for me - and Doyle? I hate clutter. What you DO NOT see is the other side of the room. Storage cabinets. If it's behind closed doors, it does not bother me.

[gene]

I too have a Juki LU 562. Did you know it has a smaller bobbin than the Juki LU 563?

I love my machine. It's a real work horse. I was told to oil the oil holes every time I sit down to sew, which is what I do. I'm sure it will outlast me.

Best of luck.

gene

[momto3fatdogs]

thanks Gene - he did tell me to oil. Oil is good. I'm glad it's easier to thread than that serger!

sam

[bobbin]

What's the model of the W&G?  I own a 500-4, type 515-4-5; I couldn't increase the size of your picture but it looks very familiar!  I bought mine in 1986/7 and had it converted from a 4 thread to a 5 thread.  I love it; a quality machine that will serve you well.  It's fast, reliable, and while "old" it was designed to be operated for 3 shifts and will perform reliably if you keep it adjusted properly and make sure the oil reservoir is full. 

My machine was originally a 4 thread overlock but I had the spreader changed to a looper and now it's a 5 thread machine.  Technically, an overlock machine with safety stitch capability is not a "serger".  It's properly identified as a 4 or 5 thread OVERLOCK machine.  "Serger" is a generic term that is too often used incorrectly.  A two thread overlock stitch is NOT a serge stitch; "serge" is always a 3 thread stitch  and can be used to safely join garment panels.  A 2 thread overlock is a chainstitch and broken in the crucial spot will pull out quickly, not good in garment work! esp. knits/swimwear!     

"5 thread overlock" instantly tells you that the overlock stitch is a  3 thread stitch and not 2 threads (and is therefore suitable for garment construction without the safety stitch).  A "serger" only performs the 3 thread overlock stitch, and it has no capability to deliver the 2 thread "safety stitch".  A 4 thread overlock delivers the safety stitch and 2 thread overlock, which isn't strong enough to join a garment without the safety stitch. 

Do you have a servo motor on the W&G?  I've wanted to convert mine for a few years now, but have not done it... put the money into other things that I deemed more important.  Would like to know how you like it!

[momto3fatdogs]

The servo motor is great! & they are on both machines. I had the speed turned down because I think I'll cut my fingers off going WAO. the motor is silent. No noise whatsoever. I have one of those under-the-counter mounted radioes & I can't hear it when I am using the embroidery machine, but I can hear it just fine when operating the sewing machines. "Serger" is mainly a term used by *us* home sewers. You know? Those of us that cut our teeth sewing sweet little smocked dresses for toothless 6 year olds....(that are now all grown up & graduated from college..) I copied & pasted these photos off my blog & while I am NOT trying to promote my blog (cuz it's pretty dang boring..........) You CAN enlarge the photos on it here: http://www.samquilts.blogspot.com/ I am not sure of the model number, it's old, I know it is - but it's reconditioned & he's warranteed it too. It's got 2 stitching lines - not including the 2 loopers & 2 needles - the farthest thread on the left threads up behind the machine through a tube & it makes a chain stitched seam. It's not actually the LAST cone of thread - more like the 3rd one, but it's the farthest thing I have to thread is what I mean. I found a threading diagram on line at sewusa or something like that & printed the diagrams & took them to Office Depot & had 'em laminated! I was wondering? Is that chain stitch just a safety stitch? Like a holding seam? Or can I use it for construction too?

Y'all have a great night! I have 20 quarts of green beans to freeze before "tonight" ends..


Sa

[bobbin]

YUP! that's the same machine I have.  I'm glad to know you like the servo on it.  Mine is pretty loud and because I bounce from one machine to another when I'm in my shop I like to leave them "on" and the servos just sort of "hang out" and don't make any noise. 

I came up through the manufacturing ranks and dealt regularly with salesmen and mechanics, both of which impressed on me the importance of knowing about your machinery.  I believe knowledge is power.  You have, I hope, operator's manuals and parts books for both of those machines?  (I'm still hunting for the parts book for the 5 THREAD OVERLOCK). 

[momto3fatdogs]

You have, I hope, operator's manuals and parts books for both of those machines?  (I'm still hunting for the parts book for the 5 THREAD OVERLOCK). 

Same boat as you on the W&G, I have the instruction manual on the Juki. Working on getting both for each.

sam

[bobbin]

I have the basic operator's manual for the W&G, but the parts list with exploded views... not yet!

[Alsworld]

I had luck purchasing a (download) service manual for my Bernina 217N.  Price was very reasonable and it came thru fine.  Might be an alternative for a service manual for your machines if you can't find a paper copy.  I got it here http://www.sewingmanuals.com/
Mine has all the timing and repair procedures including pictures.
Alan

[momto3fatdogs]

Thank You Alan!

Sam