Fancy stitches are a popular feature, but they aren’t nearly as useful as having a fast machine. The DDL-8700 and the DDL-5550 are very fast indeed. Juki’s inclusion of a servo motor in these two industrial models makes them extremely quiet and versatile. Let’s take a look at them both to see which one will be the best for you.
Juki DDL-8700 Industrial Straight Stitch Sewing Machine, Servo Motor
Just to get you excited right at the start, let’s go over the highlights of the Juki DDL-8700. As the title says, it’s an industrial machine that does straight stitches and runs on a servo motor. Those straight stitches are limited to a maximum length of 5mm, but you can sew up to 5500 stitches per minute.
Of course, with the servo motor, the DDL-8700 is ultra quiet. It’s very easy to reduce the speed with the knob if you’re aren’t comfortable at first with high velocity sewing. Don’t worry, the four row feed dog keeps your material on track. But if you like working quickly, there are other features that will help you along.
There is a knee lifter for raising and lowering the presser foot. If you’ve not used one before, it’s literally a lever that you work with your knee. This is wonderful for when you don’t want to lift your hands from the fabric. The only problem is if the placement of the knee lifter isn’t ideal for your body height or shape. But usually you can make some adjustments.
While this is a single needle machine that doesn’t do zigzag or other kinds of stitches, it’s perfect for sewing drapes, pillowcases, tablecloths, tents, nylon webbing, denim, and some kinds of clothing. It can handle thin to medium-weight fabrics (not leather, for example), laying down neat, tight seams. You can also reverse stitch and back tack.
When the DDL-8700 arrives in your home, you’ll see it comes almost completely pre-assembled. The unit comes with the machine head and servo motor, a stand and table, a drawer, and a light. All you need to do it unpack it, add oil to the oil pan under the table, and adjust the tension. The machine auto-lubricates itself and the full rotary hook.
The DDL-8700 comes with an instruction manual, presser foot, bobbin and bobbin case, needles, and screwdrivers. If you plan to do gathers or zippers, you’ll need to purchase a gathering foot and zipper foot.
More features of the Juki DDL-8700 Industrial Straight Stitch Sewing Machine:
- Measures 48 inches by 20 inches by 48 inches
- Shipping weight 250 pounds
- Needle: DB X 1, sizes 9-18
- 2-year limited warranty on the motor and electrical parts and 5-year limited warranty on the rest
Juki DDL-5550 Industrial Straight Stitch Sewing Machine, Servo Motor
If you look at the specs and the images of both the DDL-8700 (described above) and the DDL-5550 here, they look exactly the same. So why do they have different model numbers?
It turns out that Juki manufactures the DDL-8700 in China and the DDL-5550 in Japan. As a result, their costs may vary. Other than that, they are the exact same machine with the same capabilities. They come with the same accessories.
The Juki DDL-5550 has industrial strength power and speed to help you complete your sewing projects. In fact, it and its sister model, the DDL-8700, are often seen in sewing schools. For a more complete description of the power of the DDL-5550, take a look at the review of the DDL-8700 above.
More features of the Juki DDL-5550 Industrial Straight Stitch Sewing Machine:
- Measures 48 inches by 20 inches by 48 inches
- Shipping weight 250 pounds
- Needle: DB X 1, sizes 9-18
- 2-year limited warranty on the motor and electrical parts and 5-year limited warranty on the rest
Recommendation
Now that you’ve seen the information on both the Juki DDL-8700 and DDL-5550, you’ve realized you don’t have to choose between them, not really. They are the same model of machine.
We know that some people have a preference according to price. Others may be interested in the country where the machine was manufactured. We say choose according to what matters to you. You’ll still end up with a fast and quiet quality sewing machine.
Click here to purchase Juki DDL-8700 on Amazon.com!
Click here to purchase Juki DDL-5550 on Amazon.com!