Wiki
Kingmax GC-8700D and Juki DDL-555ON-7
Overview
| Name: Kingmax GC-8700D, Juki DDL-5550N-7 (with CP-130 computerized elements) |
| Location: Textile Area |
| Status: Kingmax: in repairs (August 2025) Training is required before use. |
| Training: Required |
| Slack Channel: #help-textiles-arts-and crafts |
| Owner: denhac |
Training
Training is required before use. Please review events calendar for up coming classes or contact via the Slack channel to schedule an in-person session. Training covers:
Safety protocols, Machine threading and setup, Adjustments for stitch length, presser foot pressure, and knee lift, Bobbin winding and insertion, Troubleshooting common issues,Shutdown and maintenance
Operation
Safety
- Do not use the sewing machine if there is visible or audible damage.
- While in operation, always keep your eye on the sewing area and do not touch any moving parts such as the thread uptake, handwheel, v belt, bobbin winder, motor, etc.
- Keep hands away from the needle when you turn on the machine and while it is in operation
- Turn off the machine when leaving the sewing table
- Turn off the machine when replacing the needle or presser foot
- Turn off the machine when threading or cleaning the machine.
- Do not attempt to sew over pins! If you are using pins, they must be removed before they reach the presser foot.
- when winding bobbin it is mandatory to remove the thread from the needle and hold the tail of the top thread between your fingers as the bobbin is loading.
Setup
Before operation:
- Oil level check: Fill to HIGH mark using New Defrix Oil No.1. Do not operate with oil below LOW.
- Bobbin insertion:
- Juki/Kingmax: Hold bobbin with thread end facing right, insert into bobbin case, pass under tension spring and out notch.
- Needle installation:
- Juki/Kingmax: Groove faces left, scarf faces right. Insert fully up.
- Threading: Follow diagram on machine head; thread left-to-right through needle.
- Settings:
- Stitch length: Adjust via dial.
- Presser foot pressure: Adjust via top regulator screw (29–32 mm height for general fabrics).
- Knee lift height: Standard 10 mm; max 13 mm (check needle clearance).
Usage
Starting a seam:
- Raise presser foot using:
- Kingmax: Knee lift lever or rear hand lever.
- Juki: Light back press on pedal (Auto-lifter) or rear hand lever.
- Rotate hand wheel for one full rotation or press the automatic up and down needle button to have the top thread bring the bottom thread up from the bobbin to the entrance of the dog-feed. Pull bottom thread tail until end of tail is visible. Push both tails of top thread and bottom thread underneath the presser foot pulled towards the back of the machine
- Position fabric and lower presser foot.
- Gently press pedal; the machine accelerates faster than domestic models.
- Secure seams with reverse stitches at start/end (use reverse lever, reverse button, or preset automatic reverse on Juki).
Sewing notes:
Monitor stitch formation, thread supply, and needle threading.
Avoid forcing fabric; let feed dogs move it.
Monitoring
- Stop immediately if abnormal noise, vibration, or oil leakage occurs.
- Check for needle bending or breakage.
- Inspect hook area for lint buildup.
- If the machine makes a significant amount of noise or any weird noises, stop using it and report it in the slack channel.
Shutdown & Cleanup
- Power off the machine.
- Put the cover on the machine.
- Please discard all thread and any other scraps.
- If there are thread and cuttings on the floor vacuum them up.
- Empty the trash when it gets full.
Troubleshooting
| Symptom | Cause | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| Stitches on the back side of the fabric exhibit long loops | most likely the top tread is not securely sitting between the tension plates | pull top thread between tension plates |
| top thread is producing no stitches | top thread is not wrapping around the bobbin shuttle. This is because the needle is either not pressed far up in the needle holder or is facing the wrong way | Adjust the needle to the correct position |
| Both top and bottom threads are knotting on the top side of the dog feeds | Before inserting the fabric the top and bottom threads were not pushed underneath the presser foot and towards the back of the machine | cut threads where knotted, re-thread needle and bobbin and position the tails of the bottom and top threads underneath the presser foot and towards the back of the machine |
Accessories
Included: Needles, bobbins, bobbin case, screwdrivers, extra presser feet.
Storage: Drawer in sewing table and metal drawer (labeled).
Bobbin case remains in machine when stored.
Materials
Suitable for light to heavy fabrics, multiple layers, leather, or vinyl.
Recommended thread size: Tex-40.
Adjust needle size per material and thread.
Files & Resources
Manuals
Additional Tutorials
- Threading Kingmax
- Threading Juki
- How To Set Tension On The Juki DDL 8700/5500 Industrial
- Guide on industrial sewing machine maintenance
- Winding bobbin on Juki machine
Specifications
| Name | Kingmax |
| Manufacturer | Kingmax |
| Year Released | |
| Model | GC-8700D |
| Serial No. | 231050870014 |
| Software | |
| Other | |
| Name | Juki |
| Manufacturer | Juki |
| Year Released | |
| Model | DDL-5550N-7 with cp-130 computerized elements |
| Serial No. | |
| Software | |
| Other | |
History
- Kingmax purchased new March 2024
- Juki purchased used July 2025