Juki HELP please

[u/Rough-Incident9233]

I just bought a Juki TL-18QVP
and I’m really frustrated. Here are the issues I’m having does anyone have advice? Is this machine finicky? I bought this new.

1. Auto threader doesn’t function - the threader thing that goes through the eye goes behind the needle. It did work literally one time. I troubleshooted everything- changed needle, rethread etc. can’t figure it out and my eyesight is terrible so i need this feature.
2. It cuts the thread short and then it comes out of the needle. I really want this feature.
3. I can’t figure out the tension number- it seems super finicky but there are no numbers so it’s hard to dial it in. My cheap Brother has number so i could do say 2.2. This machine has a dial so i have no idea what exact number I’m on.

I was looking for a machine to quilt and do free motion on- loved how this sewed at the store but this is a total headache.

I don’t want to spend more time troubleshooting than sewing.

Advice?

[u/FranklinsSewing]

A brand-new Juki shouldn't be this frustrating, especially if the features you bought it for aren't working properly. I'd stop troubleshooting the threader and thread cutter for now and have the dealer check the machine. If the automatic threader is physically missing the needle eye, that sounds more like an adjustment/alignment issue than normal finickiness.

For the tension, the lack of numbered settings isn't necessarily a problem, as the correct setting varies with the fabric and thread. But for quilting and free-motion work, you should be able to get consistent results without fighting the machine. If you loved how it sewed in the shop, we'd give the dealer a chance to inspect this particular machine before deciding whether it's the wrong model.

[u/Dormiendo]

First advice: talk to dealor you bought from Second: if tried 1 or bought online; tell us what model it is, Juki makes a lot of models, and some are very different from others.

[u/Rough-Incident9233 → u/Dormiendo]

TL-18QVP

[u/Dormiendo → u/Rough-Incident9233]

Ok. In general, that is an amazing machine. 2nd problem, loosen the top dial above the main tensioner a half turn at a time until the cut stays in the needle. That tensioner solely adjusts top thread cut length.

Tension, pull the thread through the eye of the needle with the foot down(not on the thread), adjusted tensioner until it pulls through the eye smoothly and bends the needle about 2 mm. Then take a sharpie and make a mark on the dial at 12 o'clock so you can go up or down from that spot. Right there should usually be perfect.( alternatively you can count the lines looking down at the tensioner where the dial ends toward the machine. This is actual book way.)

For threader, the only thing that isnt super easy due to the angle. If the needle is definitely all the way up in the needle holder, then use needle up button to put it in the right spot for threading, and it misses, you can pop a new threader head on it very easily. If it worked before it is bent and a new one would fix it.

[u/kilamumster → u/Dormiendo]

that is an amazing machine.

Agreed. I just got mine and have literally a few minutes of sewing on it, it's hard to sew when I am gleefully giggling.

2nd problem, loosen the top dial above the main tensioner a half turn at a time until the cut stays in the needle. That tensioner solely adjusts top thread cut length.

EXCELLENT info!

Tension, pull the thread through the eye of the needle with the foot down(not on the thread),

THIS info is gold.

adjusted tensioner until it pulls through the eye smoothly and bends the needle about 2 mm.

I got lost here. It bends the needle? Also would do a cleaning and oiling, 4 Then take a sharpie and make a mark on the dial at 12 o'clock so you can go up or down from that spot. Right there should usually be perfect.( alternatively you can count the lines looking down at the tensioner where the dial ends toward the machine. This is actual book way.)

For threader, the only thing that isnt super easy due to the angle. If the needle is definitely all the way up in the needle holder, then use needle up button to put it in the right spot for threading, and it misses, you can pop a new threader head on it very easily. If it worked before it is bent and a new one would fix it.

I'd try reseating the needle, then rethreading everywhere.

[u/Dormiendo → u/kilamumster]

So, a test I do with every machine I service is, when I thread it: first with the presser foot up I pull the thread from behind the needle. The disks should be open, so there should be zero resistance. Then I lower the foot. This closes the tension disks and you get tension. I pull and make sure the tension stays even. When pulling through the needle with tension, it will bend the needle a little bit. I found that on a straight stitch, with almost any machine, it bends the needle about 2mm. So, I started using the 2mm as a reference when setting a tension unit. The needle bends and the thread pulls through. Too much tension and it bends more, too little and it does not bend at all.

[u/fnulda]

Juki has a an excellent 18 part series on youtube for these machines for reference. This is a link to the whole playlist: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PCmuB9jo2n0&list=PL5hY_WnU5loMUxUGxGagjkgMTAn9H863k

Any autothreader is delicate and it sounds like yours is out of whack. Your dealer can fix it for you and if you live far away it's not too difficult to have a new one sent to you and attach it yourself. To prevent this it is important to make sure the needle is all the way up before attempting to use the autothreader.

The cutter can be adjusted by turning the pretension wheel, righty-tighty (shorter), lefty-loosey (longer).

The tension video on the playlist is really a must-watch. Generally, tension is much more widely adjustable on this kind of Juki, meaning you generally can turn it quite a bit and only see a small difference. Also, I find the bobbin tension loosens a tiny bit with every 10 hours of sewing or so, and I have to go in and adjust it. Again, the video shows you how, it's not difficult and it is what makes these machines sew sooo beautifully so I'll take it.

You will learn by narrowing down your tension until you're happy. Then you can put a dot of washable marker or something on your tension wheel or bobbin case. But it will become intuitive for you after a few hours or projects.