This guide walks you through the first setup of the AK-1N Duo tufting gun. Check the factory settings, oil the moving parts, and tuft a short test line before you start a real project.
The AK-1N Duo tufts both cut pile and loop pile, and the pile height is adjustable from 8 mm to 16 mm. This page is only the first-use setup. When you want to change pile height or convert to loop, use the dedicated guides linked below.
Unplug the machine before you measure anything, thread the needle, or change parts.
What is in the box
- The AK-1N Duo tufting gun (Pink Edition)
- EU plug with the DC power adapter
- Cut and loop elements
- Spare parts, including Allen keys
The machine runs on household mains with the supplied adapter. Use only that adapter, not a third-party transformer.
Check the factory measurements
Confirm these stock measurements before your first session. Measure the 1.1 cm needle extension at 6 o’clock: the needle fully out, with the bottom rod pulled back as far as it will go.
| Part | Measurement | How to measure it |
|---|---|---|
| Top rod | 5.2 cm | From one threaded nut to the other |
| Bottom rod | 4.3 cm | From one threaded nut to the other |
| Needle extension | 1.1 cm | At 6 o’clock, how far the needle extends when it is fully out |
If a measurement is clearly off, do not force the rods. To change height on purpose, follow how to adjust pile height on the AK-1N DUO. To return to the factory setting, contact us with a photo.
Also check that the visible screws are snug and that nothing looks bent from shipping.
Oil the machine before you tuft
Oil the machine even when it is brand new, before you tuft the very first test line. Apply a few drops of sewing machine oil to the metal rods and into the holes of the white sliders. Use Eurol sewing machine oil, or another sewing machine oil. Do not oil the motor, the gears or any electronics.
The full method lives in how to oil your tufting machine. That is the only place we specify oil type and amount. After oiling, give the trigger a short press so the oil can spread, then unplug again before you thread the yarn.
Thread the yarn and tuft a test line
- Stretch a scrap of tufting cloth tightly on your frame.
- Use a loop threader to feed the yarn through the needle. Let the yarn run freely from the cone.
- Start at a lower speed and tuft a short straight line.
- Check that the stitches sit evenly, the scissors cut cleanly (for cut pile), and the motor sounds smooth.
If the yarn falls out of the needle, adjust the needle hole. If the yarn is not cutting, first see why your tufting machine is not cutting yarn. Replacing worn scissors is covered in AK-1N DUO scissors replacement.
Next steps on this machine
- Cut pile scissors not opening or closing correctly on first use: follow how to set up the scissor closer and opener.
- Change the pile height (8 to 16 mm): follow AK-1N DUO: how to adjust pile height. Write down your current measurements before you change anything, so you can return to this factory setup.
- Switch to loop pile: follow how to switch from cut pile to loop pile.
When the test line looks good, you are ready for a real project. The technique basics and the maintenance checklist will help you keep the results even.