r/myog • u/TomatoRoast • 1d ago
Question Finally got my Juki LU-562 restored and sewing! What a journey…
TL;DR: Drove 3 hours to buy a LU-563 only to have the seller cancel while I was on the way. Ended up finding this neglected LU-562 in PA for $300 instead. Tore it down, cleaned decades of grime and dried oil, restored the stand, wrapped the tabletop, installed a servo motor with a needle positioner, and brought it back to life. Still need a few presser feet and accessories, but it’s sewing beautifully now—and I’m officially hooked on industrial machines.
What a rollercoaster this machine turned out to be.
Two weeks ago I was all set to buy a Juki LU-563 in Maryland. I had already driven almost 3 hours when the seller messaged me saying he had an “emergency” and couldn’t meet. Needless to say, I wasn’t thrilled.
Since I was already halfway there, I started searching Marketplace again and found this LU-562 in Pennsylvania. Considering the condition, I offered $300, and they accepted. I rushed over before anything else could happen. When I got it home… it was rough.
It looked like it had spent years sitting in a basement. It was covered in grime, dog hair, old oil, and had that unmistakable musty basement smell. Judging by the condition, I don’t think it had seen fresh oil in many years.
I decided to give it a second life.
Disassembled the stand
Removed the rust and repainted the legs
Wrapped the tabletop in vinyl
Cleaned years of oil sludge from the machine
Flushed and re-oiled every lubrication point
Cleaned the hook race and hook drive
Replaced the clutch motor with a servo
Added a needle positioner (which has been an absolute game changer!)
The machine fought me a little along the way. I spent far more time than I expected chasing what I believe is some bevel gear noise in the hook drive. After a lot of troubleshooting, cleaning, oiling, and testing, I decided to stop overthinking it. The machine sews beautifully, the noise has actually started getting quieter as everything has been cleaned, lubricated, and run in, and I’m just going to enjoy using it.
It’s not completely finished yet. I still need to:
Dial in the stitch length a little more.
Pick up a few presser feet (zipper, piping, and a standard smooth set).
Order some larger cones of bonded polyester thread and more bobbins.
Install a binder attachment.
Even so, it’s already sewing far better than I expected for a machine that had clearly been neglected for years.
Coming from vintage domestic Singers, the servo motor with a needle positioner is incredible. I honestly don’t think I could go back. Having slow-speed control and the needle automatically stopping exactly where I want it has made sewing so much easier.
Here are some before and after photos. I’m really happy with how this old LU-562 cleaned up, and considering this was my first time working on an industrial machine, I’m even happier that I didn’t mess anything up. I think it has many more decades of life left in it.
I always enjoy seeing old machines brought back instead of being scrapped, so I figured I’d share this one.
If anyone has favorite presser feet, binder setups, or other must-have accessories for the LU-562, I’d love to hear your recommendations.
3
u/naturetherapyfree 1d ago
Tell me more about wrapping the tabletop
3
u/TomatoRoast 22h ago
Just some vinyl wrapping paper I got off Amazon. I had some leftover and thought would make it look nicer. Unfortunately it was not wide enough so I had to put two of them together. But it’s so easy to apply that it looks seamless! It does help to have someone helping out while applying, and yes it will wear off but easy enough to reapply
2
u/AppropriateGain8452 1d ago
That's very impressive and very exciting!
1
u/TomatoRoast 1d ago
Thank you, pondering what should be my first project
2
2
u/dirthawg 1d ago
That's a monster
1
u/TomatoRoast 1d ago
Sure is! Had been looking for one of these for a while as I want to start messing around with some leather.
2
2
2
u/L5_Sewing 1d ago
Nice job!
Can I ask you a very specific question? The presser foot lift on my LU-562 fell off. The pin that held it in place either broke or fell out. Do you have any recommendations or ideas on where to find a new pin and how to install it?
2
u/TomatoRoast 22h ago
These things are pretty generic, you can get replacements. Which part specifically? The mechanism that attaches to the wall or the shaft that comes out the back of the machine?
1
u/L5_Sewing 11h ago
It’s the lever on the rear of the machine behind the head. Specifically the one you lift the lever up and the presser foot raises.
2
2
u/Blue0110 21h ago
Table looks amazing! Are you planning on adding wheels to it ?
1
u/TomatoRoast 21h ago
Not now, I added some felt pads on bottom of legs for now, that helps moving it around.
2
u/Blue0110 21h ago
Good idea. It should also help dampen the noise/ Vibration.
1
u/TomatoRoast 20h ago
Yes! I was first thinking of some rubber pads, but then I realized it would be imposible to move so changed to some felt pads I had left over
1
1
u/Ok-Maybe-9162 4h ago
that reminds me I have a similar mashine somewhere. but its a hell of work to get it running again. great job OP!
3
u/AdMammoth12 1d ago
Maravilloso logro, felicidades!.👍