The Upholstery Forum

I'm looking at buying this machine from sewingmachinesplus - https://www.sewingmachinesplus.com/juki-1541s.php

I know I would rather have a Servo motor than a clutch motor. However I'm confused about the option for a "needle position motor". What is a needle position motor and what are the benefits and drawbacks of it?

I learned on and am still using my grandmothers Singer 301A. for reference.

Thank you for any help!

Hi @Graham! Welcome to the forum! Happy to have you here!

Needle positioners allows you to set the machine to always come to a stop with the needle down. This is convenient so that when you stop in the middle of the seam to adjust the material will stay lined up and not shift on you. I personally have never had one on my machines but I have only heard positive comments about them. Also I believe it is an easy feature to disable if you dont like it.

Thanks for the response, John! I’ll also double check with Sewingmachinesplus to make sure it’s easy to disable. But seems like it can’t hurt to have.

Quick follow-up question - have you purchased from sewing machine plus before? I’m struggling to find a shop near me that has this Juki.

Thanks again!

I have not yet but plan to once my new shop is finished. However they seem to have the best prices, free shipping, plus the machine and table come fully assembled. I know many people that have ordered from them and had no complaints.

As for the 1541s I can say that its a fantastic machine. Its my #1 new machine recommendation. The best bang for your buck in my opinion.

The position sensor also allows you to tap the treadle with your heel so the needle goes all the way up for clearing the material at the end of a run…. extremely convenient!

Oh that's good to know, that's a very cool benefit! Kind of seems like a no-brainer to add it on

Thanks for the reply!

I have a needle positioner on my consew and use it all the time, would never think of disconnecting it. Makes turning corners a breeze with it set to needle down. Most will not work with a speed reducer so if you want a speed reducer and a needle positioner you will have to be very careful which model you buy.

@Graham - Just wanted to add my two cents...

How experienced are you with industrial sewing machines? What are you planning to sew?

I'd highly recommend not only the servo motor and needle positioner (yes, that can be turned off, or set to always stop with the needle in the down OR up position, plus the heel tap to raise the presser foot is great) but I'd also suggest you consider a speed reducer. I have all that on one of my machines (the Techsew 2750 PRO) and it's WONDERFUL! I can sew slowly for best control, like a stitch or less per second, or speed it up to max speed when needed. And certainly if you buy all of that together, the speed reducer WILL work fine with the needle positioner (as it does with my Techsew).

On another of my machines I don't have either speed reducer or NP motor, but I've slowed it down by changing the pulley size. It's okay, but nowhere near as flexible as the proper speed reducer. If I was buying another machine, I would absolutely positively get servo motor with NP, plus speed reducer.

Cheers!

Hi @Mtl_Biker ,

I have zero experience with an industrial sewing machine. I have been working on an old Singer 301A for about two years now. I focus on furniture upholstery. At first it was dining room chairs, foot stools, outdoor furniture cushions, etc. Recently, I have been getting into larger and heavier duty furniture - A few living room chairs and chaise lounge. I have made it work, but the singer just doesn't cut it.

I know I want to the servo motor to have that variable speed. Sounds like the needle position is a no-brainer - Do you think I would be able to add a speed reducer with the needle positioner to the Juki I'm looking at? Because it seems for the type of work I do, it would be really beneficial to have.

Thanks!

@Graham - I think your best bet would be to speak to the dealer and get it all from him. That way you'll know it would all work together. I hadn't been aware of what @MalcolmM mentioned about some speed reducers not working with NP motors. That could be true, and if so, it's certainly not 100% the case. I got my machine with servo motor, needle positioner and speed reducer all together from my dealer and it all works like a charm.

I'll tell you though that the speed reducer at least for me, it worth it's weight in gold.

And I guess you're probably aware that the Juki is probably the top brand, although expensive. That machine will last you a lifetime.

Have fun!

@Mtl_Biker - Yeah, I will confirm all this info with the dealer before I purchase. But it's nice to have some good information before I speak with them. I really appreciate the input!

Thanks again!

@MalcolmM Thanks for the heads up. I'll make sure to double check with SewingMachinesPlus to see if this specific Juki can have the needle positioner/speed reducer setup. Really appreciate the help!

@Graham

Sewing Machine Plus may not be able to ship all models depending on where you are. If in the U.S I am sure they can ship that Juki. I find running a clutch like running heavy equipment lots of pedal action. I have two machines on a clutch and one on a servo. I can stop that needle anywhere and go really slow with my clutch but you have to learn to tap the pedal and get really good at it. If you are doing lots of welt which I think you will be that speed really helps in the furniture process. I do not worry about my straight lines as much doing furniture (fabrics) as vinyl or leather. Whatever the manufacture has done to replace the clutch should be good.