Juki DDL-8700 Industrial Single Needle High-Speed Lockstitch Sewing Machine for Light & Medium Fabrics

To thread a Juki DDL-8700, start by placing the thread cone on the thread stand. Guide the thread through the top thread guide, then through the small hole on the thread take-up spring and the tension discs. Next, pass it through the take-up lever from right to left, then through the guides on the needle bar area. Finally, thread the needle from left to right. Make sure the presser foot is up while threading to open the tension discs for proper tensioning.

Begin by assembling the table and mounting the machine head into the cutout. Attach the knee lifter, belt guard, bobbin winder, and spool stand. Connect the motor beneath the table and ensure the drive belt is aligned with the pulley. Once assembled, plug in the motor, test the foot pedal, and adjust the belt tension and knee lifter height as needed. Always follow the assembly diagram provided in your Juki manual.

Position the motor pulley directly beneath the handwheel pulley on the sewing head. Loop the drive belt over both pulleys, ensuring it’s snug but not overly tight. Secure the motor to the table using its mounting bolts and adjust the tension by loosening or tightening the motor mount. Plug the motor into a power source and check rotation direction — it should match the arrow on the handwheel (usually counterclockwise).

The DDL-8700 has an automatic lubrication system, but you should still fill the oil reservoir beneath the machine head with sewing machine oil up to the marked line. Before first use, manually turn the handwheel to circulate oil. Check that the wick in the hook area is moist, and apply a drop of oil to moving joints such as the needle bar and presser foot pivots if needed.

Turn off the power and raise the needle bar to its highest position. Loosen the needle clamp screw, insert the new needle with the flat side facing right, and push it up until it stops. Tighten the screw securely. Thread the needle from left to right.

The Juki DDL-8700 uses standard industrial single-needle lockstitch presser feet, compatible with most Juki, Brother, and Consew industrial machines. You can use zipper feet, walking feet, Teflon feet, hemming feet, and piping feet designed for DBx1 or 134-type industrial machines.

Place the tension stud through the faceplate, followed by the tension discs (concave sides facing each other), the tension spring, and the check spring. Add the stop washer and tension nut, then adjust the spring position so the check spring arm moves smoothly. Finally, attach the tension release pin and felt washer if included.

The Juki DDL-8700 typically uses a V-belt in size 3L-210 (21 inches), though this may vary slightly depending on your table and motor setup. Measure the distance between pulleys before ordering to ensure the correct fit.

The DDL-8700 is designed for light to medium-weight fabrics such as cotton, linen, and light denim. It can handle material up to about 5–6 mm (1/4 inch) thick when properly adjusted. For thicker or heavy-duty materials, consider the Juki DDL-8700H (the “H” stands for heavy).

The standard needle system is DBx1 (also known as 16x231). Common sizes range from 9/65 to 18/110, depending on your fabric. Use smaller needles for lightweight fabrics and larger ones for heavier materials.

The Juki DDL-8700 uses a standard Class L bobbin (Juki part number BOB100-5) and corresponding industrial bobbin case. Aluminum or steel bobbins both work, but ensure they fit snugly without excess play in the bobbin case.