New Machine

[stew-cheryl]

We had an Eagle tn400A servo, it had no power, you had to punch the material by hand, and then start sewing, the new gear reduction motor is a SEWPRO 500GR 300 watt 1500 rpm.  When I installed it, the pulley was smaller, so it would run out of adjustment, so I switched pulleys from the old servo motor. The gear reduction has a lot more control, without runaways.

[Gregg @ Keystone Sewing]

On that there Eagle motor...there is a single Phillips head screw, with a cover, halfway between both of the brushes.

If you get a pencil eraser on a pencil, you can put the eraser inside to clean the commutator that has built up carbon by running the motor while brusing the eraser over the commutator.  I'm sure there are other ways to do this, but this is one of them that I have done that worked.  You may want to replace the brushes, but this may not be necessary, I would have to see it.

I know who sells the Sewpro line and really like the guy personally, but a  few years back that motor didn't match up with what we were selling at the time.  It's quite possible improvements have been made and it's now a great motor, I have no idea but what I'm reading here.  Motor Mfgs. are consistently making unannounced changes, or changes at the sellers recommendations. 

[stew-cheryl]

The eagle never really had the power like the sewpro, if I set the needle right on the makrolon and start it will punch through, with the eagle I would punch through by hand and then start, I would have to keep the speed up or it would stop. Makrolon is tough stuff.

[Gregg @ Keystone Sewing]

The eagle never really had the power like the sewpro, if I set the needle right on the makrolon and start it will punch through, with the eagle I would punch through by hand and then start, I would have to keep the speed up or it would stop. Makrolon is tough stuff.

Intresting.  I'll have to look into this motor again.  I'm always looking for improved products for my customers.

[GMP]

Thanks for all of your responses. I have it narrowed down between 2 machines and  would like a little more feedback from some of you. The 2 machines that are in the running are the Juki 1541S and the Chandler CM406RB-1. One of my main concerns for any machine was its ability to be able to sew relatively lite material much as 2 layers of Sunbrella and of course 6 or more layers of Sunbrella along with vinyl and Ultraleather type materials. Bobbin is using the Juki for lighter material than Sunbrella per the earlier post. Thats great because that was one of my concerns. The Chandler was recommended by a reputable dealer. I do not see many comments on any website (Including this one) regarding Chandler satisfaction other than what Mojo stated in an earlier post. As Mojo stated, I can get the Chandler on an upgraded stand with Servo along with some extras for about $400 less than the Juki. So here is what I would like some feedback on if I spend the extra money for the Juki:

Why will I be happier with the Juki?
What will the Juki provide me that the Chandler won't?
Will the Chandler handle lighter material as easily as the Juki?
Which would be more trouble free?
Which is easier to get parts for if and when it does break?
And anything else that you would like to add would be appreciated.

Most of all I don't want to regret my purchase, I am willing to spend the extra money on the Juki, but at the same time don't want to just throw away $400 either if it is not going to gain me anything.

Closer to getting my new machine now. Yahoo

Thanks for all the help regarding my purchase

Greg

[Gregg @ Keystone Sewing]

Greg,

I sell, setup, and stock both models, and both are a good value, and both are reliable machines when setup properly, and used and operated properly as well. 

[Mojo]

After talking with Bob, I could not justify the extra money for the Juki. I couldn't even justify the extra money for a Consew. :)

Thankfully when I was dealing with Bob he didn't try to up-sell me to a more expensive machine and was honest and told me the Chandler would do everything I needed it to do reliably and with quality results. Actually he down selled me once he knew what my budget was and what the majority of my work consisted of. He felt the Chandler would be a great machine for me and he was right. I have yet to find anything it wouldn't sew. On a personal note, if Bob did try and up-sell me I would have walked away from the deal and him. I hate any type of dealer ( car, sewing machine, boat or whatever ) who tries to sell you something more expensive because he has a larger margin with that particular product. :)

I have sewed some light material and had no problems. Obviously I have never tried to sew shear curtains but I have sewn some very light fabrics without any problems. :)

Whatever machine you buy I strongly urge you to spend the extra money and get a servo motor. They are simply awesome.

I went with the Chandler because of 1.) the ease of finding parts ( not to mention them being cheaper then others ) 2.) It was cheaper then the Consew 3.) By spending less I was able to afford to upgrade to a servo motor 4.) It had a good reputation for quality.

The Chandler is not a high dollar Adler or Pfaff but it does a great job. I think that if you ask any honest dealer they will tell you the Chandler or the Consew will do everything a Juki, Pfaff or Adler will do.  I know of no magical potions contained inside the higher dollar machines.

I think sewing machines are like cars. Everyone has a preference, be it Chevy, Ford or Chrysler. You buy what your comfortable with.

JMHO, and best of luck with your final decision and purchase. :)

Chris

[Gregg @ Keystone Sewing]

Mojo,

Some nice stuff in there, and I like the car comparisons.  

If I may chime in with my two cents;

If you've been driving a Mercedes for 15 years, you may not particular like a Honda.  Nothing wrong with a Honda, but you probably won't like the way it drives, or feels in this case.  For some, the Honda would be downgrade.  Sewing machines are no different, and when you can test a variety of machines, same motor, side by side, your are likely to like one more than the other.  Now, based on price and value as perceived by the customer, one may be swayed one way or the other.  But, for the most part, if money were no object, I can tell you what machines people would want over others, for sure.  

In addition to that, a Mercedes may cost say $80,000, and a Chevy, $35,000 for a comparison.  It would be incorrect to think that the person selling the Mercedes has a higher profit margin based off off the higher sticker price the buyer pays.  Maybe the Mercedes dealer paid $78,000, and the Chevy guy $30,000 to have that vehicle on thier lot.  Again, sewing machines are no different, and often the lower ticket item is overall more profitable.  

[bobbin]

There is an old saying common to horsemen, "there never was a good hoss in a bad color".  The point being that selecting a horse because you like the color may well mean that you'll pass over the best animal because you're only looking at one characteristic or you have one specific breed in mind.  Shelter dog or purebred?  What do you want the horse to do, what do you want from the dog?

I think that holds true for machinery, as well.  And Mojo, I think you summed it up very well.  Once you have a set a budget for the purchase of a machine and done your "homework" you may well find that the lower priced machine will do everything you want it to (probably more) and you will have "extra" money to spend on time saving attachments/presser feet, etc..  I think this is a conservative approach and it's practicality shouldn't be underestimated.  The most expensive sewing machine in the world is no substitute for the hours of experience required to attain a level of mastery in our trade(s). 

I always set a budget when it's time to replace an automobile.  And I always buy a quality used vehicle, one that is common enough that parts won't break the bank, and it will be relatively easy to fix.  I take good care of it and know that I'll be able to pay for a lot of fuel with the money saved on loan interest, registration fees, and insurance payments.   What matters most to me is affordable, reliable transportation. 

[sofadoc]

I mow my grass with a $100 Murray from Wally World. My neighbor has a $2000 Toro. Both lawns look the same when mowed. And his Toro goes into the shop at least once a season (and the shop bills ain't cheap,either). My Murray has never gone to the shop in 6 years.
So who's right, and who's wrong? Neither. It's all about what YOU want.

[GMP]

You guys are awesome but killing me at the same time. It appears that the majority believe that the Chandler is in fact the right choice for what I will be using it for. But then again Greg's comments are making me think twice about my choice. Not knocking his comments because that is the type of feedback that I am looking for. Correct me if I am wrong Greg but it seems to me that you believe that the Juki would be the better choice. Like I said in earlier posts, I do not want to regret my purchase. I have not seen any comments on a few of my questions such as what will the Juki provide me that the Chandler won't?, Why would I be happier with the Juki, etc. I believe the Chandler will do everything that I will be using it for but at the same time would still like answers to the above questions.

At this point I think my choice is Chandler but will wait for some return posts. Thanks to all of you.

Greg---if you rather not post the answers to these questions on this post please provide me with a number that I can call you on to discuss.

Thanks to all,

Greg

[sofadoc]

Greg: After going back and reading all the responses, I can see where you would feel that we've been a little vague.
I can only give my answer from a furniture point of view. JUKI!!!
You said you'd be doing Sunbrella, vinyl, and leather "Projects". Can you be more specific?

[GMP]

To be more specific:

Patio furniture cushions
Boat cushions
Canopy covers

At this time mostly Sunbrella, Vinyl and hope to work into Ultraleather

I guess the main question is this: Why should I get a Juki rather than a Chandler?

Is it easier to use?
Is it better with lighter materials?
Is it quieter?
Does it stitch better?
What will it do better than a Chandler?

Greg

[Gregg @ Keystone Sewing]

Greg---if you rather not post the answers to these questions on this post please provide me with a number that I can call you on to discuss.

[Nail hitting being hit on the head by a hammer]

Here are my best answers, but I have to be measured with what I type here.  It's next to impossible for me to do comparisons with out somebody's personal feelings getting hurt.  Everybody likes to think what they have is the best, myself included.  

Here is the list, and but I'll tell you that what you asked is not the criteria I would use to separate the two;

Why will I be happier with the Juki?  I don't own a crystal ball.  Work with me a bit here, would ya!   :P
What will the Juki provide me that the Chandler won't?  Again, I have to be measured here, but one thing I can tell you is that the Juki has a box type feed mechanism.  Chandler has an oval, or elliptical feed mechanism.  I have had reports from experienced sewers who also seem to be critical of their own work that they really like the way the machine lays down a stitch.

Will the Chandler handle lighter material as easily as the Juki?  Same
Which would be more trouble free?  Both are very reliable machines when setup properly from the dealer out of the box.  

Which is easier to get parts for if and when it does break?  Parts availability is excellent for both.  All common wear items are going to be available for same day shipment.  

I hope this helps your decision.  

[hidebound]

     I just bought my first machine last year. The only industrial machine I had ever used was my uncles 563 juki. I bought a Consew 255b. There is a difference in the "feel" of the two machines. I really like my consew it is a tough reliable machine , but the Juki seems smoother. My point is if you have an oppornunity to try different machines it may make it easier to decide what you like, then compare features.