Juki DDL8700H: High-Speed Lock-Stitch Sewing Machine for Heavy Material DDL-8700H- Head Only: Full Review

The Juki DDL-8700H is a high-speed, single-needle, lockstitch sewing machine designed for heavy-duty use on industrial-weight materials. As the top-of-the-line model in Juki's DDL series, it's built to handle the toughest sewing jobs with precision and reliability.

This sewing machine features an extra high presser foot lift, powerful direct drive motor, and integrated servo motor for optimal stitching control. With a maximum sewing speed of 5,500 stitches per minute, it allows operators to achieve high productivity on heavy fabrics like canvas, denim, upholstery, and more. The DDL-8700H comes equipped with Juki's proven oscillating shuttle hook technology for smooth, consistent stitch formation across all fabric types.

Overall, the industrial-grade DDL-8700H offers exceptional stitch quality and durability to handle heavy-duty projects in manufacturing settings or for home sewers looking to upgrade their equipment. Its high speed capabilities, sturdy all-metal construction, and advanced features make it a versatile workhorse sewing machine ready to tackle thick materials.

Design & Build Quality

The Juki DDL-8700H is built like a tank, with an extremely sturdy metal frame and body construction that's designed to withstand heavy daily use in industrial settings. The high-quality steel components ensure durability, vibration resistance, and stability during high-speed operation.

Weighing in at 29 pounds, this is a heavyweight sewing machine made for sewing heavy materials. The internal parts and mechanisms are metal rather than plastic. The arm, bed, and interior components are all metal too. Even the handwheel is metal and quite heavy, giving you more torque and control.

Overall, the industrial-grade metal construction delivers power, precision, and reliability. This machine can stand up to the rigors of sewing thick fabrics like denim, canvas, and leather all day long. It's built to last for many years of continuous use.

If you're looking for a versatile option that combines speed and precision for both sewing and quilting, consider the Juki TL-2010Q: High Speed Sewing & Quilting Machine With Free Bonus Pack. This model features a free bonus pack and offers superior stitch quality with its high-speed performance, making it perfect for intricate quilting projects and sewing thicker fabrics.

Stitching Capabilities

The Juki DDL-8700H is equipped with impressive stitching capabilities that make it suitable for handling heavy-duty materials. Its powerful motor allows for a maximum sewing speed of 5,500 stitches per minute, enabling you to work quickly on projects involving thicker fabrics like canvas, denim, and leather.

You get a wide range of stitch length settings from 0.1mm to 12mm using the lever on the bedside, giving you flexibility and control during stitching. Whether you need short precise stitching or longer basting stitches, the DDL-8700H can accommodate different settings as per your project's needs. The extra high presser foot lift also helps when sewing multiple layers or heavy materials.

Overall, the industrial-level stitching performance of 5500 spm speed and 0.1mm to 12mm stitch length range make the Juki DDL-8700H a strong choice for demanding sewing tasks on heavy-weight fabrics. Its strength and reliability in stitch formation are appreciated by experienced sewers and professionals dealing with heavy materials.

For those looking for versatile features in a home setting, consider the Juki HZL-DX Series HZL-DX5: Sewing Machine. It includes a wide range of stitches, an intuitive control panel, and advanced features like box feed technology and a floating presser foot, offering precise stitching on various materials from light to heavy-duty fabrics.

Ease of Use

The Juki DDL-8700H is designed for ease of use, making it suitable for both beginner and experienced sewers. The machine has intuitive controls and settings that are straightforward to operate.

The main dial allows easy adjustment of stitch length and reverse stitching. To select your stitch length, simply turn the dial to the desired setting marked clearly on the machine. Engaging reverse stitching is as simple as pressing the reverse stitching lever.

Thread tension adjustment is also easy on this Juki model. There are separate thread tension dials for the needle and bobbin threads. Turning these allows precise control over tension for optimal stitch formation on different fabric types. The clearly marked tension scale simplifies proper tension settings.

Overall, the Juki DDL-8700H offers user-friendly controls and adjustments even for tricky techniques like adjustable thread tension. Both novice and expert sewers will find this machine easy to master and use efficiently. The well-designed settings allow quick adjustments for versatile sewing performance.

Applications

The Juki DDL-8700H is designed to handle heavy-duty sewing projects with a wide range of fabrics, making it an extremely versatile machine. Its powerful motor can penetrate multiple layers of thick fabrics like denim, canvas, leather, vinyl, and upholstery fabrics with ease. This industrial-grade machine is built to handle the most demanding sewing tasks seamlessly.

With its high sewing speed and strong needle penetration, the DDL-8700H makes quick work of heavy materials without skipping stitches or compromising stitch quality. It can handle lightweight fabrics as well but truly excels at working with heavyweight woven fabrics and leather. The machine is ideal for assembling outdoor gear, boots, jeans, jackets, handbags, luggage, automobile interiors, and furniture upholstery. Home sewers, crafters, and small business owners who regularly work with heavy materials will appreciate the DDL-8700H's unmatched sewing capabilities.

Whether you need to construct durable garments, craft leather goods, or upholster furniture, the DDL-8700H has the power and performance to handle your heavy-duty projects with ease. Its industrial-strength build quality and advanced features make it the go-to choice for sewing thick fabrics.

Noise Level

The Juki DDL-8700H is a powerful industrial sewing machine designed for heavy-duty use, so it does generate a noticeable amount of noise during operation. The noise levels will depend on the material being sewn as well as the speed setting used. At lower speeds, the noise output is comparable to a home sewing machine. However, at maximum speed the noise levels can reach up to around 80 decibels. This is in the range of other industrial sewing machines and is to be expected given the high speeds and power involved. Operators should take proper precautions such as wearing ear protection if working with the DDL-8700H for extended periods of time. The machine itself does not have any built-in sound dampening, so users will need to take steps to reduce ambient noise levels if required. Overall the noise is proportional to the capabilities of the machine and not out of line compared to similar industrial sewing machines. Just be aware the DDL-8700H is not designed for quiet operation and appropriate measures should be taken if used in noise-sensitive environments.

Accessories

The Juki DDL-8700H industrial sewing machine comes with several handy accessories right out of the box. This includes a sturdy foot pedal which provides precise speed control. There are no belts or pulleys, so the machine offers direct drive for optimal sewing control.

It comes with a set of needles to get you started. The needles are designed specifically for heavyweight fabrics. Make sure to use the recommended needle size and type to avoid skipped stitches or needle breakage.

Some convenient accessories that come standard are a bobbin case, screwdriver, lint brush, spool holder, spool pin felt, and instruction manual. These provide everything you need to set up the machine and start sewing heavy materials right away.

The bobbin case helps hold the bobbin securely to create even stitch tension. The screwdriver assists with assembly and adjustments. A lint brush keeps the inner workings free of lint and debris. The spool holder provides a place to orient the thread spool for smooth unspooling. Spool pin felt reduces friction and prevents snags. The instruction manual outlines setup, threading, controls, and basic maintenance.

Overall the included accessories cover the essentials for operating the Juki DDL-8700H heavy duty sewing machine. With the starter needles, bobbin case, thread spool aids, and manual, you can get sewing heavyweight fabrics without purchasing any additional accessories upfront.

Maintenance

The Juki DDL-8700H requires regular maintenance to keep it running smoothly for years to come. Proper oiling and cleaning are essential.

This industrial machine needs to be oiled frequently, especially when used for long periods of sewing heavy materials. The key areas to oil are the hook race, take-up lever, and any moving joints or linkages. Use only light sewing machine oil, applying just 1-2 drops to prevent over-oiling. Oiling every 1-2 bobbins of thread used is recommended.

For cleaning, it's important to remove lint and threads that accumulate in the bobbin case, feed dogs, and shuttle hook area. Unplug the machine and use the included brush to remove built-up debris. A small vacuum attachment can also help suck up lint and threads. Avoid using compressed air, which can push debris further into the machine.

With regular oiling and cleaning, the Juki DDL-8700H will continue running at peak performance. Taking the time for basic maintenance will extend the sewing machine's longevity and prevent issues like skipped stitches, thread breaks, or overheating from dirt buildup.

Warranty

The Juki DDL-8700H sewing machine comes with a 5 year warranty on parts, 5 years on electronic components, and 5 years on the motor drive. This is an excellent warranty period that demonstrates Juki's confidence in the quality and reliability of their industrial sewing machines.

Many competitors only offer 1-2 years of warranty coverage, so the 5 year warranty provided by Juki is a major advantage. This gives peace of mind that the machine will hold up for years of sustained use without issue. If any defects arise during the warranty period, Juki will repair or replace parts free of charge.

The warranty covers defects in materials and workmanship. It is important to note that the warranty does not cover normal wear and tear, improper use or maintenance, or damage caused by factors outside of manufacturing defects. As long as the machine is used properly for its intended purpose and well maintained, the user is covered for 5 years.

Overall, the generous 5 year warranty on the Juki DDL-8700H for parts, electronics, and motor drive demonstrates the quality users can expect from this powerful, high-speed industrial sewing machine.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Powerful high-speed sewing machine capable of stitching heavy materials like canvas and denim
• Durable all-metal interior components and rugged exterior finish
• Automatic needle threader for convenience
• Drop feed lever for free-motion sewing and quilting
• Knee lifter for hands-free pressure foot lifting
• Comes with a variety of presser feet for versatility
• Easy tension adjustment for consistent stitch quality
• Reliable performance even at high speeds
• Quiet operation compared to other industrial machines

Cons

• Expensive, professional-grade pricing may be overkill for some home sewers
• Large footprint requires ample sewing room space
• Manual threading can be tricky through small needle eye
• Lack of built-in stitches limits creativity for decorative sewing
• No automatic thread cutter
• Instruction manual could be more beginner-friendly
• Warranty is relatively short for such a major investment
• Not suitable for lightweight or delicate materials