shesews

I'm wondering if anyone can tell me the real difference between the Juki model of these straight stitch only, 1500 stitches/min. machines and the others: Brother, Babylock, Janome? They pretty much they even look alike except for the name on them! A salesperson at a local shop that sells both Babylock and Juki told me that the Juki is a better machine; she said that it has a "stronger" motor. Can someone verify this? The Juki costs more than the Brother model. I'm wondering if the Juki truly better quality. I appreciate your help. Shesews

lyndaj

Look at online reviews. I bought my Janome from a dealer who also sells Brother who would have been thrilled to sell me the Brother instead as she doesn't like Janome (kind of stupid for someone selling them).

My point is to try all the machines out. Don't just listen to the salesperson's pitch.

Best of luck.

shesews

Thanks for responding. Wonder why she feels that way about Janomes?

katier825

I consulted my Singer repairman when I was looking at both. He highly recommended the Juki over the Brother because it had metal parts inside vs. plastic on the Brother. He was not a Juki dealer...just someone who was familiar with both. He said he rarely saw a Juki in for repairs and that sometimes it was difficult or takes too long for Brother parts. I've had the Juki for 2.5 years and love it! It's been perfect right from the box. It's not fussy about thread and I never have to mess with the tension. It cost more than the Brother, but I have zero regrets and would buy another in a heartbeat if anything ever happened to this one.

That said, there are many with the Brothers that are quite happy with them too.

Weezy Rider

I've had both. Both have good points. Brother has a thing called a pin feed dog position which will help get some fabrics to feed like an even feed foot on a Pfaff. More control on the feed dogs, too - four positions.

Juki feed dogs are either up or down, but Juki has an extra tension knob/feed and speed control

The biggest difference is getting at the bobbin. The Brother needs a door in the table to lift the cover, the Juki doesn't.
The Juki bobbin cover sort of folds up, so if your machine is in an insert on a table, you don't need to move much to access the bobbin. Mine's in a SewEzi table with an insert.

Both have service manuals online. Juki doesn't have a traditional 1/4 inch quilting foot. It's more like a compensating foot. You can buy an aftermarket on. The Juki needle plate is well marked, and so is the Brother.
Don't bugger the foot pedal for the Juki. It has a cutter on it and a replacement is over $200. The other half managed to rewire mine.

I had some trouble with the Brother. I think it was a reboxed return although it was sold as new and any company can put out a lemon. Since it isn't sold locally, I had to get it off line. I did find the Juki locally.

Both machines do very well with any straight stitching. I basted a flower girl satin dress and put the zipper in with the Brother. Far easier than the Pfaff 2170. Both will quilt very well.

Both will FMQ nicely.

ELIZABETHCOOK

I have owned a juki 2010 I bought her as a package with the grace quilting frames. She is a workhorse of a machine, beautiful stitches when free motion quilting. I used her specifically in the frames for "long arm" quilting. You have about 9 inches of throat space which was plenty for me as a stipple pattern is what I love to do. I regret selling the machine and my frames every time I go to quilt.( I sold the frame and machine due to space limitations the frames take up a lot of room.) She was not picky with thread, never experienced Tension issue with her either. She sewed fabulously straight out of the box. I also own a juki f600 and I love love love her. She is never complains about thread either, never a tension issue. Jukis are fabulous machines never a regret with either of the machines.
Just a note i also have a janome s5 she is picky with thread but fabulous to free motion quilt with. She is an awesome machine as well but honestly I love my Jukis better.
Thats my two cents for what it's worth LOL
elizabeth

Macybaby

My husband and I tried out both Juki and Brother at a shop. - and it was hands down we both liked the Juki better. They were set up side by side, and we both thought the Brother felt bad compared to the Juki. I sewed on the Juki for about 30 mn while DH sewed on the Brother. Then we traded and we both sewed a few inches and looked at each other and said "Juki".

It's possible that the particular Brother they had set up had issues, the sales lady was surprised that both DH and I felt that there was such a difference. She said she'd sewn on both and didn't notice. But DH is a sewing machine mechanic and I've been sewing since I was 5 years old, so maybe we notice things others would miss.

I've had mine a few weeks now, and am really loving it. I sew with the regular foot as I'd rather see the edge of the fabric to gauge my seam than have it hidden under the foot.

ManiacQuilter2

You need to test drive these machines just like you would a car. See what fits your needs the best. I chose a Bernina 1530 and I have been quilting on her for over 15 years.

Sharonquilts

I have the Juki F600 and like ElizabethCook, I love mine. The only problem I've had was using metallic thread ... but quickly figured out I needed to use a different needle ... and problem was solved. I would buy a Juki again in a heart beat.

Quiltngolfer

I've never owned a Juki, but I have owned a Brother 1500 for 13 years. It is a wonderful machine! I use it all the time and all you have to do is oil it. I clean it often to keep the dust out, but never take it in for service.