Quality of Juki?
 

Hi everyone. I'm new here but just had to join in so I could get your input. I've been researching long arms for about a year now. In January Juki will be releasing a home long arm and I think it's the one I want. I've never owned or even used a Juki, but from what I can tell, they are a quality brand.

I'd love to hear from others that have a Juki or know anything about this long arm. I'll have great local dealer support, which is important to me, and the machine has a few really nice features such as a take up bar under the arm so I won't have to adjust the rollers. It also has a higher than normal throat which gives it a bit more room (only an inch different than most I think) for the rolled quilt, apparently the lighting is better than most and it has automatic scissors which cut the top and bobbin thread (this part confuses me a bit since I've only ever used long arms for which you have to pull the bobbin thread up and cut it).

Thank you in advance for any guidance you can give me!

i googled juki long arm and found this http://www.allbrands.com/products/31...Fe5FMgodAAIAJg $19K !!!!
and this http://www.juki.co.jp/industrial_e/p...ather_e/cat93/ $10K !!
is either of these the one you are referring to

i have a juki tl98q and have been thrilled with it - no dealer support needed so far :)

if juki is coming out with a home quilting long[er] arm, i'd be interested in looking at it. do you have a link?

I had a Juki TL98Q and really liked it. I sold it so I could buy the Janome 6600 since it has a lot more features. I had to search and finally found the Juki long arm you're talking about. It really looks like an awesome machine. I don't think I've ever seen a take up bar on any other frame but it would definitely be a nice feature.

For anybody else that wants to take a look at it, I found it here.
http://www.kenssewingcenter.com/juki...e-p-30982.html

I'm thinking about at some point in the future converting half of my garage to a long arm space and this machine is now at the top of the list!

Welcome! Juki is certainly a great brand, but I would really want to try it out before buying, especially such a large $$ purchase. Sounds like you already have some LA experience, so you have something with which to compare it. There are always 2 thoughts on brand new technology: (a)be the first one on your block to get one, and (b)wait a while and let them get the bugs worked out.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_HLD-n__g3Q

This should link to the machine I'm looking at. The whole thing, including the computer (which I definitely want) will be about 12,500$. This is a good price compared to the others I've considered. I agree with the concern about new machines having issues. This machine was supposed to be released in November but there was a problem with the frame (Grace) and they wanted to resolve that before the release. The good thing is that my dealer knows the guy that makes the computers (it is the same one that Tin Lizzie/Pfaff/Viking uses) and has a good relationship with Juki. He'll come to my home to fix the machine and will offer phone support as well.

Wow. I clicked on the Youtube link and had to wait through a 30-second commercial in order to see a 34-second video of someone using the setup. If I have to sit through commercials, I may not be using Youtube as often as I used to!

Every machine/frame combination is going to have a different "feel". I would definitely wait to try it out before buying. Also, I'm generally in the "let others work out the bugs first" category of buyers. The last thing I want to be dealing with when sewing, for example, is a tension issue.

Have you thought about a Gammill? I have one and I love it!

Check into the Innova too. My 26" has 11" in height, also has the take-up bar. I don't know why you would want a thread cutter with a longarm but maybe I'm just not understanding it correctly.

You said you wanted it with the computer, but I don't see one in the video or in the ads.

I'm another one who thinks the thread cutter on a longarm is a waste. People who have it (I think APQS machines have it) don't use it because it cuts the tails too short to bury, but not at the surface of the quilt, so you have to go back later and hand cut them all off anyway, if that's how you choose to handle your thread tails. I'm another one in the camp titled "Don't be the First to Buy a new Electronic Item". Sorry, don't mean to rain on your parade, just advising you not to jump into anything, so you won't regret your decision later. I bought a used Gammill and love her. You can get alot of bang for your buck buying a used machine. Just MH and honest opinion, of course.

I don't long arm, but it seems like you did some digging and feel this is the one for you. Someone has to be the first to buy a new "thing". Why not you? You have a reliable dealer who will work with you. I say "go for it". If I had the desire to LA, I think I would like the one you are looking at now. Talk to the dealer and tell them you wonder about the kinks of a new machine and see what he/she has to say about it.

I've tried out the various brands and just didn't like the Innova (I'm sure it's great for others, just not for me). I've used a Gammill multiple times and while it was nice, it also wasn't right for me. As far as a used machine, I've watched various sites for several months and didn't see anything that was enough of a savings to make it worth not having local dealer support. I know many people say they get great phone support from various companies, but I want a dealer who I know well enough that I would stop and talk with them if I ran into them at the grocery store. It's a lot of money to spend and I need the extra security of knowing who I'm working with.

That's interesting about the scissors/cut off not necessarily being a good thing. I'll have to see how it works for myself. I do not intend to buy any machine without trying it out thoroughly, but I'm one who likes to gather as much information as possible before making a big purchase.

I still haven't completely ruled out 2 other brands, although they do cost more. Both are also sold through local dealers that I know well. It's a big decision for sure.

Oh, and the computer isn't part of the Juki package, but my dealer would add it to the machine and include it in his package cost. Apparently it's compatible with other machines. It's the one that's sold with Tin Lizzie/Pfaff/Viking. I've used it multiple times so I'm already rather familiar with it, which adds to my comfort level.

The other machines I've considered are the Pfaff Power Quilter P3, which is made by Tin Lizzie and the BL Crown Jewel, which is the equivalent of the HQ Avante. Both cost somewhat more and neither has the additional take up bar, but I do like both machines.

Hi,
I purchased the Juki Virtuoso Pro Longarm and bought the software program with it. I love the thread cutter and the take up bar in the back. It holds the quilt exactly where it needs to be. The thread cutter does leave a small 1/8 inch thread on the back. I just snip them when I get done, no problem to me. I have had a few problems but the data cable was defective, when it was replaced everything worked great. I have a home quilting business and am making t-shirt quilts and everything else with no problems. I have used this machine and I am not sorry that I purchased it. I would be glad to try to answer any questions you have. It is an easy machine to use. The software program is lacking on good quilting patterns, it has a lot to choose from, but, I think they could be a lot better. You can import other patterns if you want. I have not used the software as much as I would like.