Juki or Brother?
 

I'm intent on purchasing either a Juki 2010S or a Brother PQ1500S. Both have good reviews. Other than the $$ difference, is the only other difference that the Juki has speed control?

You need someone who definitely has the machines for discussion, but I did hear that the Juki manuals leave a little to be desired. Maybe that was a different model though.

I have the Juki TL2010q and love it. When I was researching, I read many positive reviews. I asked the guy who fixes my Singers and he highly recommended the Juki over the Brother. He said the internal parts of the Juki are metal, where some of the Brother parts are plastic. He said Juki was a very reliable machine that he rarely saw for repairs. I didn't have a Juki dealer nearby, but I took a chance to get one sight unseen. My repair guy said he would order whatever I wanted for me and ship it there so he could help me if I needed it. I didn't need any help. It was perfect right out of the box. It's a very simple machine to use, even if the manual is skimpy. The only thing that really took practice is the needle threader. I hardly ever use it though. Maybe when my eyes get worse, I will use it more often.

I've never tried the Brother, but many people are happy with them.

I have two Juki and a Brother I will take my Juki over any other machine.

JUKI is the one to go with, imo. I've owned the 2010 for almost 2 years and LOVE it! Smile every time I sit down to sew. No issues whatsoever. Manual has been sufficient for me. And I LOVE the needle threader.There's a super YouTube video that's shows how to use it; it should come up if you search JUKI threader (without naming 2010). Also love the foot pedal thread cutter, the speed control, and the extra thread tension.

JUKI 2010 is truly a semi-industrial straight stitch machine. All metal, thicker springs, etc. It's really well-built.
I recall reading of the brother being lesser quality.

Good luck!

I am considering one of those machines also. I keep hearing the Juki is more durable. Can the Juki be bought online or does someone know where to get one. I have a Brother dealer close but not Juki.

I have the Juki and love it but could not find a dealer in Ontario. Had to have mine delivered by the man in the brown truck from Winnipeg Manitoba. It arrived in perfect condition, was easy to set up and had no shipping charges. Now if I could only figure out how to use the needle threader (and yes I've read the manual and watched the video numerous times and I still don't "get" it). As it had no fancy stitches, I also bought the Juki Exceed 600 which I also love.

I absolutely love my Juki 2010Q. Got it slightly used off eBay for a few hundred dollars off regular retail and it worked perfectly from the start. Like Colorful1 I smile every time I use it - which is a LOT. It's a real workhorse.

I have not used a Brother but people who have them seem to like them.

Good luck!
DebD800

Thanks for your replies. Final question: what type of needle does the Juki need?

The Juki 2010 takes a regular Schmetz 130 705H needle -- like most machines. It's a great machine!

I think its mostly a preference. I think juki is the manufacturer of both machines and makes them for brother and both are very high quality so you can't go wrong with either. I haven't seen anyone complain about problems for either so I would hesitate for either, however speed control can be very important especially if you are getting it for FMQ. I have only had brothers but have still had an interest in juki.

I bought a BROTHER in 1983 and it is still working today.

They both have their pluses and minuses. The Juki has the speed control which is a great feature, and the thread cutter in the foot control. The foot control is very expensive to replace if something bad happens ( Dog chewing the cord comes to mind)

The Brother (My machine) has the pin feed which is wonderful I never turn it off, and the foot control is a lot less expensive to replace. The pin for the pin feed can be a trick to replace and it is not a common part so can be a bit hard to find. All the controls for both machines are easy to reach.

I got a Pfaff Performance 5.0 at Christmas and although it is a lovely machine I am using the Brother for quilting because it and the Juki just 'work'. No muss, no fuss, just perfect stitches and plenty of room to maneuver your project. The arm is about 2 inches taller than the Pfaff. The Pfaff bed is about an inch longer. I would rather have the height than the extra inch of bed.

I have had my Brother apart and I don't know what parts would be plastic on it and not the Juki. I saw nothing that raised a flag. Both machines have electronic boards in them - they are not 100% mechanical. As Dolphyngyrl said, both machines come from the same factory. Which one, Brother or Juki, has yet to be discovered. You really can't go wrong with either one it comes down to money and features you can't live without. BTW - They both have the same needle threader.

I would definitely choose Juki. I think you are throwing money away buying a Brother. They have always had a poor reputation.

Some people drive a Cadillac and some drive a Ford. They'll both get you there. I'm a Ford and Brother kind of guy.

I have had the Brother PQ1500 for about 10 years. It has been a wonderful machine, and still works like new. From reading these posts, it sounds like you won't go wrong with either machine. Go someplace and try them out if you can and see which one "feels" right.

I had been saving for the Brother 1500. I like Brother and felt the price was right. My DDs that work on industrial machines recommended the Juki. I ended up with the juki 2000. It split the difference in cost between the Brother and juki 2010. I felt the speed control would not be worth the difference in cost for me. I got mine thru Amazon, and have been very happy with it.
I do struggle a bit yet with the needle threader but i'm getting better!LOL

I have two Jukis. I would recommend them to anyone. The 2010, as others have said is a workhorse.
Just a straight stitch but is great for FMQ. I also have the F600 which I use for fancy stitches and for
a lot of piecing. Has a 1/4" setting. I have had two Brother machines and had problems with both.
Juki has excellent customer service also.

I can only recommend the Juki. I just wish it would have a scant 1/4" foot with guide. Apart from this it is perfect!

All I can say is that I bought the Juki TL98E over 10 years ago (early pre-cursor to Juki 2010Q) and it is still going strong. It is currently the machine I do all my piecing/quilting on.

I bought it sight unseen from allbrands and had it shipped to me.

Thanks to all, your responses are very helpful and will enable me to finally make a machine choice.

The pin feed on the Brother PQ1500s is Awesome! It's like a built in walking foot. I use it all the time as well. The foot control is so responsive, so I never miss the speed control.

And, PS, the Brother 1500s also has an auto thread cutter, just push the button. Love everything about this machine.

I have the Juki TL98Q which I love. Think it is the model just before the 2010 came out. I wouldn't take anything for it. It has the thread cutter on the body as well as on the foot control. It FMQ's great, never a loop or skipped stitch. I also have Brother that I take to club. It's ok for what I use it for but the Juki beats it all to heck except for weight. I have an older Bernina which is in the shop more than it's in use and a Janome that is wonderful, too. Keep it and the Juki set up all the time. Good luck. Sandee in MO

I have the Juki 2010Q. I don't like the thread cutter built into the foot pedal. The needle threader is difficult to use. Other than that, it is sturdy and and good machine.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Juki-TL-2010...item2a4aec41c5 E bay $899.

I have a Juki T2010Q and LOVE it!!!! I also have a Brother (don't remember the model) and have not liked it from day one. I will be selling it when I can get it fixed. I have had no problems with my Juki and have had it for several years. I just keep it oiled and cleaned and it runs like a champ! It is great for quilting as well as piecing. Fabric will feed through without using the walking foot for bindings and I prefer not using the walking foot for attaching the binding. I do use the walking foot for straight quilting, though. I suggest trying them both before you purchase. Wish I had been able to with the Brother; I did with the Juki. Good luck with your decision!

I guess I'm all alone out here, but I have the Brother 1500 and love that. I've had real good luck with it. There is no problem with different threads, and I can easily control the speed. A really big plus is that a dealer is nearby to make any adjustment at a moments notice. One time when it had a problem with the bobbin hook I ran it to the dealer and he made the tiny adjustment on the spot without charge, and away I went. That was three years ago.

I have the Brother 1500S and have been in love with it from day one! I have a friend who owns the Juki....she feels the same way about it. I think either one is a good buy. I think both these machines are extremely durable....workhorses, if you will.......I've owned mine since 2000 and have no intention of getting rid of it!

I have an 2 Elnas, 2 Brothers and a Juki TL98QE . Depending on what you are going to use them for go with a Brother. The more expensive Elanas are also very expensive to fix when the break/malfunction. The Brother is a good sturdy machine, I use one here at home and one for class. Now the Juki is a workhorse and that one I have on my Grace quilting frame and I use it only for quilting. So again depends on what your use will be. I like them both.

Leah Day now does all her FMQ on the Juki 2010. I've only heard good things about the Brother, however. I found a Brother 1300, an even earlier model than the 1500, and snatched it up for $100. Works great!

Although I'm not in the market for a new sewing machine right now, the information you gave is very informative and will keep it in mind should I need a new machine. I don't know who your repair guy is, but I would say that he is definitely a keeper, lucky girl.

I have the Brother use it for EVERYTHING! Love it...but straight stitch only is a draw back for some.

Gee, I always thought they had a good reputation.

Brother does have a good reputation. If they built bad machines I promise you, they would not be building machines for Babylock.

Some people have had trouble with the Brother machines sold at Walmart and the like. I attribute some of this to operator error and some to inventory handling by the big box stores. Buying anything electronic at walmart is a crap shoot at best.