Juki DDL-8700 review
Photo · Juki DDL-8700, 3/4 view
VerdictSpecs checked against Juki data · Checked Sep 2026
8.4/108.4
out of 10
A real factory lockstitch for a home workshop, if you have a table, a motor and the floor space.
Who it's for
Bag makers, gear sewers and small production shops who sew straight seams all day and want speed, a knee lift and an oil-bath hook.
Skip it if
You need a portable machine, any stitch besides straight, or you expect it to sew heavy leather; Juki positions the -H variant for heavy weight.
Price band$500–1,000
$$ 500–1kMechanical
Check price at Sewing Machines PlusAffiliate link · opens new tabLast seen $999 on September 29, 2026 at another dealer. Today's price is on the Sewing Machines Plus page.
Real cost to get sewing
Machine $$ 500–1kServo motor if the bundle ships with a clutch motorJuki New Defrix No. 1 oil for the oil panDBx1 needles in sizes 14 to 18 and industrial bobbinsA second machine for zigzag and buttonholes
Specs
Research pass 2026-09-29 · manufacturer page check pendingSource: juki.com · goldstartool.com · cutsew.com · sewingmachinesplus.com. Bracketed cells are values the manufacturer does not publish; we never fill a spec we can't source.
Where sources disagree
- Head weight: Juki lists 28 kg for the head; 61.7 lb is a conversion, not a published lb figure. Table and motor add substantially and are not published in snippets.
- Arm space: a review site states about 11 in from needle to arm; not found on juki.com in accessible snippets. Left null pending Juki PDF check.
- Price: $999 (Walmart, servo + table, DIY assembly) vs $899.99 (second Walmart listing) vs $1,004.40 (DDL-8700-H variant). SMP listing exists with assembled table but no price in snippet.
- Thread trimmer: base 8700 has none; -7 suffix adds automatic trimming and lifting. Listings often mix the two.
Manufacturer claims we quote but do not assert (3)
- "High-speed, 1-needle, Lockstitch Machine" (manufacturer description, juki.com)
- "Fully Assembled Ready To Sew" (dealer claim, Cut Sew listing title)
- "incredible punching power" (review-site copy, not manufacturer)
Size and space
Throat space, drawn to scaleThroat space is the distance from the needle to the machine body: how much rolled quilt fits through.
Weight61.7 lbHeavy enough that it should live on the table, not in a cupboard.
Table footprint[verify]Add room on the left for the fabric to spill.
Strengths
Juki publishes 5,500 spm, 5 mm stitch length and 13 mm foot lift for the head.
Automatic lubrication with a sealed oil pan is standard on the head.
Uses DBx1 industrial needles and standard high shank feet, both widely available.
Weaknesses
Head weighs 28 kg and does nothing without a table, stand and motor.
Base model has no thread trimmer; that is the -7 variant at a higher price.
Juki lists it for light to medium materials, not the leather many buyers intend.
Check before you buy
3 checks01
Which motor is in the bundleClutch motors are loud and run at one speed. Servo motors add a speed dial and are the common recommendation from owners. Confirm the motor type and wattage in writing.
02
Assembled or knock-downSMP ships the table assembled. Walmart and Amazon listings are DIY kits that need two people and a few hours. Factor freight and assembly.
03
Suffix mattersDDL-8700 (standard), -7 (auto trimmer and foot lift) and -H (heavy weight) are different machines at different prices. Match the suffix to your fabric before ordering.
Buying from Sewing Machines Plus
Checked Sep 2026WarrantyJuki's US warranty term for this model: [verify]. Confirm SMP is an authorized Juki dealer before you buy.
ReturnsSewing Machines Plus lists a 60-day return window; the buyer pays return shipping and opened machines may be refunded as store credit. Restocking fee: [verify]. Re-check the policy page before ordering a heavy machine.
ServicingWarranty repairs go through Juki's authorized service network. Whether a local Juki dealer will service a machine bought online varies by dealer; ask before you buy.
Setup and lessonsOnline orders may not include the lessons a local dealer offers. Ask before you buy if that matters to you.
What owners say
Paraphrased, attributed. We did not operate this machine.positive
A PatternReview owner who moved from domestic machines for bag making notes she no longer hand cranks through bulky seams; another says the servo motor makes speed very controllable.sewing.patternreview.com
mixed
New-to-industrial buyers on PatternReview ask whether the DDL-8700 can be sewn slowly and whether it will hold up to leather coats; replies steer them to servo motors and to the -H heavy variant for thick work.sewing.patternreview.com
positive
Quiltingboard members recommend the servo motor and point out the head takes standard high shank feet, with bobbins and needles easy to buy online.quiltingboard.com
mixed
A Backpacking Light thread covers upgrading a clutch-motor 8700 to a servo for quieter, slower gear sewing.backpackinglight.com
Questions people ask
How fast is the Juki DDL-8700?
Juki publishes a top speed of 5,500 stitches per minute. That is the spec, not a promise of finished quality at that speed; heavy layers want a slower setting.
What stitches does the DDL-8700 have?
Straight stitch only, single needle lockstitch. There is no zigzag or buttonhole; plan a second machine for those.
Who should skip the DDL-8700?
You need a portable machine, any stitch besides straight, or you expect it to sew heavy leather; Juki positions the -H variant for heavy weight.
