Juki MO-80CB 2/3/4-Thread Serger with Free Arm & Differential Feed

The Juki MO-80CB is Juki's free-arm overlocker. Remove the auxiliary bed and sleeves, cuffs and pant hems slide around the arm instead of being finished flat. It also has a lever-operated lower looper threader, lay-in tension slots and a pull-lever rolled hem, and it sews 2-, 3- or 4-thread stitches at up to 1,300 stitches per minute.

This is a feature most entry-level sergers don’t offer — and it makes a HUGE difference in usability.

Who the MO-80CB is for

• Garment sewists finishing sleeves, cuffs, necklines and pant hems in the round (free arm)
• Knit sewists who want adjustable differential feed (0.6–2.0)
• First-time serger owners who want help with the lower looper (lever threader) and tension (lay-in slots)
• Anyone making rolled hems on scarves and napkins (lever switch, 2 mm rolled hem)
• Sewists using heavier decorative threads, thanks to a dedicated thread guide

Not the best fit if you need

• Air threading. See the Juki MO-1000 and MO-2000QVP in our Juki serger guide
• Coverstitch hems like ready-to-wear T-shirts. A serger doesn't coverstitch; see coverstitch vs serger
• A wide flat table out of the box. The extension table set is an optional accessory
• A replacement for your sewing machine. A serger seams and finishes edges but doesn't topstitch or sew buttonholes

Standout features

• Free arm: remove the auxiliary bed to serge tubes such as sleeves and cuffs.
• Lower looper threader: thread the lower looper by operating a lever.
• Lay-in tension slots: raise the presser foot and pass the thread straight into the slots.
• Automatic rolled hemming: pull the lever toward you to switch to a rolled hem.
• Differential feed 0.6–2.0: adjust the feed to suit stretchy knits and lightweight fabrics.
• Retractable upper knife: raise it with a knob for flatlock or decorative work without cutting.
• 2-thread converter included: converts the machine for 2-thread overcasting.
• Adjustable cutting width and presser foot pressure: match the finish to the fabric.

MO-80CB specifications

What's in the box

• 2-thread converter
• Needle set
• Dust cover
• Waste collector (chip box)
• Tweezers
• Screwdriver and flat-blade screwdriver
• Brush
• Needle threader
• Thread guide
• Oiler
• Thread unreeling caps (4)
• Spool holders (4)
• Anti-spill nets (4)
• Upper cutter
• Accessory bag
• Instruction manual

Optional accessories listed by Juki: extension table set, and piping, elasticator, beading, gathering and taping presser feet.

Frequently asked questions

Does the MO-80CB need special needles?

Yes. Juki specifies ELx705 needles in #12/80 and #14/90.

Is an extension table included?

No. Juki lists the extension table set as optional. You sew on the auxiliary bed, and removing it gives you the free arm.

How do I switch to a rolled hem?

Pull the rolled-hem lever toward you, per Juki. The rolled hem width is 2 mm.

Can it sew 2-thread stitches?

Yes. The 2-thread converter in the box converts the machine for 2-thread overcasting.

Is it hard to thread?

The lower looper uses a lever threader. The tension slots are lay-in, so thread drops straight into place with the presser foot raised.

What stitch types can it sew?

4-thread and 3-thread overlock, 2-thread overcast, rolled hem, narrow overlock, frill rolled hem and 3-thread flatlock, per Juki.

Manual, guides and troubleshooting

• MO-80CB instruction manual (PDF download)
• Best sergers of 2026: brand comparison
• What is a serger? Beginner guide
• What each Juki serger foot does
• Serger thread guide
• Why serger hems look wavy
• Serger not cutting? Replacing knives
• Compare with the Juki MO-654DE

Verified for the Juki MO-80CB

• Needles: system ELx705, sizes #12/80 and #14/90, per Juki's official specifications. Verified and in stock: Schmetz ELx705 80/12 and Schmetz ELx705 90/14.
• Bobbins: none — this is an overlock machine; it uses loopers, not bobbins.
• Choosing between sergers? Our Juki serger guide compares the models honestly.

Not sure what fits? Call (480) 545-0778 (Mon–Fri 9–5 Arizona) or contact ThreadWorks — setup questions are our favorite kind.