Juki DDL-8700 Review: A Reliable And Powerful Industrial Sewing Machine

The Juki DDL-8700 is an industrial straight stitch sewing machine that has gained popularity among professional tailors, sewing enthusiasts, and home-based entrepreneurs. This lockstitch machine is loved by many for its speed, precision, and reliability.

In this detailed Juki DDL-8700 review, we’ll take an in-depth look at its features, performance, pros and cons, and ideal users. Read on to find out if this heavy-duty workhorse is the right fit for your sewing needs.

Overview of the Juki DDL-8700

The Juki DDL-8700 is a single needle, straight stitch lockstitch sewing machine. It can stitch lightweight to medium weight fabrics at up to 5500 stitches per minute.

Here are the basic specs and features of this machine:

• Type: Industrial, mechanical lockstitch
• Maximum Stitch Speed: 5500 spm
• Maximum Stitch Length: 5mm
• Presser Foot Lift: 13mm knee lifter, 10mm by hand
• Needle: DBx1 (#11/75)
• Servomotor: 110v, clutch motor available
• Bed Size: 8.6″ x 5.5″
• Machine Weight: 62 lbs

This sewing machine comes with a table, servo motor, manuals, oil, tools, and other accessories. It’s ready to use straight out of the box.

Performance and Stitch Quality

The Juki DDL-8700 is designed for straight stitching all day long. It can stitch multiple layers of fabric smoothly without skipping stitches.

Here are some of the performance highlights:

• Produces neat, even stitches on lightweight and medium weight fabrics
• Maintains stitch quality even at high speeds
• Sews 5500 stitches per minute at full speed
• Stitch length can be adjusted from 1 to 5mm
• Easy to control stitching speed with the servo motor
• Smooth and quiet operation with servo motor
• Handles thin silks to denim and midweight canvas
• Self-lubricating system reduces maintenance
• Durable construction for constant use

The DDL-8700 creates beautiful seams and hems due to the integrated feed mechanism and alternating vertical hook. The box feed design ensures superior stitch quality on a range of fabrics.

It’s not specifically designed for heavy thick fabrics like leather. But with the right needle and foot, it can manage upholstery projects as well.

Versatility Across Fabric Types

One of the best things about the Juki DDL-8700 is its ability to handle both lightweight and medium weight fabrics with ease. Here are some examples:

Light Fabrics

• Silk
• Chiffon
• Georgette
• Voile
• Lawn
• Fine cottons

Medium Fabrics

• Twill
• Denim
• Canvas
• Quilting cotton
• Linen
• Corduroy

The machine may require adjustments to sew very slippery or elastic fabrics like jersey knits. An even feed foot can help with that.

Overall, the Juki DDL-8700 works fantastically for garment construction, home décor projects, quilting, and crafting.

Servo Motor and Speed Control

The Juki DDL-8700 is available with either a servo motor or a clutch motor.

The servo motor operates quieter and gives you foot control over the stitching speed. There is a speed adjustment knob under the table that ranges from slow to fastest.

With a clutch motor, you get two speeds – stop and full speed. These industrial clutch motors are powerful but very loud.

For home sewing, I recommend splurging on the servo motor. It makes the machine more manageable for beginners and you can better handle delicate fabrics.

Sturdy Industrial Construction

This Juki sewing machine features all-metal internal parts, gears, and motors. It weighs around 62 pounds!

Here are signs of its durable construction:

• Cast iron frame and bed
• Metal bobbin case and hook
• Heavy-duty industrial motor
• All-metal internal mechanism
• Large durable rubber belt

All these rugged components allow the DDL-8700 to sew for hours without issues or breakdowns. It’s built to withstand constant use in high-volume production environments.

While heavy, the machine stays stable on its solid metal base. The weight also helps reduce vibration at high speeds.

User-Friendly Operations

For an industrial workhorse, the Juki DDL-8700 is easy to set up and operate.

It has separate dials to adjust:

• Stitch length
• Presser foot pressure
• Needle position

The foot pedal allows you to control sewing speed. Other user-friendly features include:

• Knee lifter for hands-free raising of the presser foot
• Reverse stitch lever
• Large work table
• Built-in sewing light
• Easy oiling and maintenance

One downside is that it only does a straight stitch. There are no decorative stitches.

The manual has instructions for machine set up, operation, care, and troubleshooting. It may take some trial and error to find the optimal settings for different fabric weights.

Overall, the learning curve is manageable for both experienced and novice sewers.

Maintenance and Serviceability

One advantage of the DDL-8700 is the self-lubricating function. This reduces maintenance drastically compared to other industrial machines.

Basic steps to keep the machine running smoothly include:

• Use the recommended Juki machine oil
• Oil spots according to manual schedule
• Keep machine free from dust and lint
• Replace needles as needed
• Inspect belts, bobbin case, etc. and replace if worn

In terms of serviceability, there are dealers that provide repair services for Juki machines. You can also find tutorials for basic adjustments and fixes.

Considering how durable it is, you likely won’t need repairs frequently. This workhorse can serve you for decades with proper care and maintenance.

Juki DDL-8700 Review Pros and Cons

Pros

• Straight stitch speed up to 5500 spm
• Minimal noise with servo motor
• Adjustable stitch length and width
• Self-lubricating mechanism
• Industrial-grade build quality
• Large work area capacity
• Easy reverse stitching
• Detailed manual and setup
• Reliable performance for constant use

Cons

• Only does straight stitch
• Large footprint and heavy
• Higher initial investment
• Not optimal for very thick fabrics
• May be too fast for beginners

Who Should Buy the Juki DDL-8700?

The Juki DDL-8700 is best suited for:

• Garment and fashion manufacturers
• Home-based sewing businesses
• Tailors and alterations shops
• Quilters, crafters, and hobbyists
• Advanced home sewers

It can manage both high volume production sewing and daily home projects. The high speed and durability make it a workhorse for sewing businesses.

Home sewers who make lots of clothes and crafts will also benefit from its reliability and ease of use. It’s a machine that can last you a lifetime.

The Juki DDL-8700 may not be ideal if you just occasionally sew hems and home décor items. Its power and speed are overkill unless you frequently work on sewing projects.

Beginners can also feel overwhelmed by the fast stitching speed. Consider a starter mechanical machine if you’re learning to sew.

Where to Buy the Juki DDL-8700

The Juki DDL-8700 usually costs between $1000 to $1500. Here are some places you can get it:

• Amazon: Free shipping, easy returns
• Joann: Occasional coupons and sales
• SewingMachinesPlus: Reliable retailer, deals available
• Juki: Direct from the manufacturer

You can often find discounts and special offers when buying directly from dealers. Look for a Juki sales and service provider near you.

I recommend getting the servo motor version for home sewing. It costs about $100-150 more but provides better speed control.

Read: Juki HZL-DX7 Review: A Detailed Look At This Feature-Packed Sewing Machine

Final Verdict

The Juki DDL-8700 is a true workhorse that delivers professional results and excellent stitch quality. It lives up to its reputation as a high-speed powerhouse.

While pricey, this industrial machine can serve you for at least 10-15 years with proper maintenance. It’s built to withstand daily use in the toughest sewing environments.

The Juki DDL-8700 offers superb value for anyone who sews frequently, whether for business or personal projects. Its reliability and performance justify the higher cost.

I hope this detailed review gives you a better idea of what to expect from the Juki DDL-8700. Let me know in the comments if you have any other questions!