Which is the best type of serger for cost?
It all depends on how you would use a serger.
If you would only overcast single layers to keep them from raveling, a 3 thread serger would do like Juki MO623:
http://www.sewingmachinestore.com/products/abp02533.html
If you seam knits, a 4 thread mock safety stitch is best Like Juki 654DE:
http://www.sewingmachinestore.com/products/abp02506.html
If you seam wovens, the best stitch is a 5 thread safety stitch like Juki 655:
http://www.sewingmachinestore.com/products/abp02531.html
All sergers do roll hems and differential feed, so the difference is how many threads you might use.
Some sergers even have the coverhem stitch with 2 or 3 straight stitches on top and a serger stitch on bottom.
Juki has the best of all in the new MO735.
I want to get a machine that will allow me serging and/or coverstiching on ANY kind of fabric! I am undecided among three of the machines you sell: the Juki MO735, the Brother 2340CV and 1034. I mainly would like to know what the differences among them are, and if such differences would justify the difference in pricing. It is sometimes hard for me to understand the difference between flatlock and overlock, for example, so not knowing how I could use them in different situations, it doesn't make much sense to get a machine that has them both? So from your expert opinion, which one you would recommend based on what I'm looking for?. Would you recommend that, instead I buy two separate serger and a coverstitch? What would be the main reason for me to buy the MO735 instead of the two others, considering it's more expensive?
The 2-thread stitch is for overcasting a single layer of fabric. It does not have the seam, only the overcast. Of course, you can overcast with the 3 or 4 thread stiches as well.
The overlock stitch is a seam with overcast built in. It can be 3, 4 or 5 threads. 3 thread would be for very light weight fabrics, since it's narrower. 3 and 4 thread stitches have stretch, so they are the best stitches for knits, but can also be used on wovens. 4 thread stitch is wider than 3 thread stitch, so it is better for medium weight fabrics. The 5-thread stitch is a straight chain stitch and a 3 thread overlock (separate) and is for heavier fabrics and wovens, since it does not stretch.
Flatlock is a variation of the 2-thread or 3 thread overlock stitches. The tension is adjusted so there is no seam, only the overcast. When you sew 2 layers together and pull them flat, the seam allowances are enclosed, so they do not stich out to fold to one side or the other. The fabric is pulled "flat." On one side the stitch looks like a normal overlock stitch. On the other side it has threads going crosswise, like a ladder. The stitch is often used decoratively with special threads in the looper. It is used for patchwork or knit garment seams.
It's nice to have a serger and a separate coverstitch machine, especially if you will use the coverstith often. It saves you time converting from one stitch to the other. However, that's not always practical, space-wise. Once you've made the change a couple of times, it will become quicker and eeasier for you. You can leave the chain stitch looper thread (also used for the coverstitch) through the threading path (except the eye of the looper), so you can tie on and pull new threads through, thus saving a lot of time when you make changes.
The sergers and coverstitch machines you listed are all good quality. None are made in Japan. However, the production is supervised by the Japanese and we have not noticed any quality problems since the production was shifted out of Japan.
The advantage of the Juki MO735 is that it is the most heavy-duty machine, since Juki uses their industrial parts and expertise in its manufacture.
The advantage of the Brother 2340CV is that its coverstitch is a little bit wider and it has some wonderful accessories to help you guide your fabric for various operations:
http://www.allbrands.com/products/abp06948-0263.html.
My first choice would be to get one of the Juki 4 or 5 thread sergers and the Brother coverstitch only machine.
We also carry the Brother 1034D serger, which has many more features than most sergers and comes at a great price:
http://www.allbrands.com/products/abp01083-0069.html.
If you want only one machine, I'd get the Juki MO735.
Hope this helps. Let me know if you have any more questions. We look forward to serving your equipment needs.
Thanks, Annette Douthat
Customer Service gave me your email.
I'm having a problem with my Juki that I bought from your company in June of 2010 (Order #1471154)
Yesterday I was using the 3 thread overlock, and sewed a hat and a skirt (Everything working fine)
Today I wanted to hem the skirt using the rolled hem - I rethreaded and put the white lever in the rolled hem position, and tried the stitch on a test fabric. I heard a snapping noise and nothing would work. I removed the fabric, thread and the needle to see if I could figure out the problem, and it appears that the plate that moves when you push and pull the little white lever for the rolled hem is not in the correct position. The loopers are hitting it when you try to turn the wheel. The lever moves the plate back and forth, but it wiggles from side to side instead of simply forward and backward. Its obvious something is not right.
I spoke with Seth, and he indicated that this was something that needs to be fixed by someone at your company.
I am in the US Virgin Islands, and can send the machine to you by US Priority Mail. (I have the original packaging, so should be OK - I will insure)
Seth also indicated the machine is still under Warranty.
Would you please send me the instructions so that I can send this tomorrow. I need the machine working as soon as possible, as I am making hats for cancer patients here on St. Croix who have lost their hair from chemotherapy.
Thanks in advance for your assistance. Mary Juli M
Juli, there is nothing wrong with the machine, only the plate. If you remove the needle plate and turn it over, you can disassemble the white lever mechanism with a small phillips screwdriver, flatten out the stem and straighten the finger. It either got hit by a needle, looper or got thread caught around it and pulled, which is not under warranty. It can happen if the white lever is not all the way in or all the way out. As long as there are no broken parts they can be straightened out to avoid paying for a new needle plate assembly complete. Please advise if you are able to fix the plate, and polish of any needle burrs on the plate and looper points with Crocus fine emory cloth from the hardware store.
Thank you sooo much
I finally had time to work on this last weekend, and I followed the instructions and it works!!
Thanks again. Juli
Can this serger handle heavy fabrics?
Velvet, denim, canvas, narrow wale cord, duck - You should have no problem with. Just lower the foot pressure. Velvet was a fuzzy mess, with the cutter, but the others were fine.
I have put layers of polar fleece, velvet and wide wale cord 2 layers through mine with no problems on the foot lift. Home dec velvet is good at 2-3 layers, with a drop in foot pressure, but they may want to do a starter cut on the edge to get the fabric under the foot and cutting easier.
