This guide walks you through the first setup of the AK-V tufting gun. The aim is to check the factory settings, oil the moving parts, and tuft a short test line before you start a real project.
Unplug the machine before you measure anything, thread the needle, or change parts.
What is in the box
- The AK-V tufting gun
- EU plug with the DC power adapter (the “brick”)
- Spare parts bag with one spare scissor and Allen keys
The AK-V runs on 100 to 240V and must only be used with the adapter that comes with it. Do not swap in a third-party transformer. If the gun cuts out when you move it, see if your machine shuts off at certain angles.
Check the factory measurements
The AK-V is set at the factory. Before your first session, confirm these measurements still match. Measure with the machine unplugged.
| Part | Measurement | How to measure it |
|---|---|---|
| Top rod | 4.6 cm | From one threaded nut to the other threaded nut |
| Bottom rod | 3.3 cm | From one threaded nut to the other threaded nut |
| Needle extension | 2 cm | How far the needle extends when it is fully out. Take this measurement when the bottom rod is pulled back to its furthest point |
If a measurement is clearly off, do not force the rods. Contact us with a photo of the machine and we will help you get it back to the factory setting.
The photo above shows an earlier blue AK-V. The current machine is the purple edition, with a quieter brushless motor, a speed display and a front LED. The factory measurements above are also correct for the current purple AK-V. If your machine does not seem to match, send us a photo rather than changing parts at random.
Also check that the screws you can see are snug, the handle is firmly attached, and 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. Your tufting gun is a precision tool with metal parts that move at high speed. A few drops of sewing machine oil on the metal rods, and in the holes of the white sliders, is enough.
Use Eurol sewing machine oil, or another sewing machine oil. Do not oil the motor, the gears or any electronics, and do not flood the machine. The full method, including where to put the drops, is in how to oil your tufting machine. That article is the only place we specify oil type and amount.
After oiling, plug the machine in, give the trigger a short press so the oil can spread, then unplug it 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, without catching on the gun.
- Plug in the supplied adapter, start at a lower speed on the dial, and tuft a short straight line.
- Check that the stitches sit evenly in the cloth, the scissors cut cleanly (for cut pile), and the motor sounds smooth.
If the yarn falls out of the needle or will not feed, first adjust the needle hole size (the same steps as on the Duo and the AK-1H). If the plate itself has fallen out or is out of line, see how to fix the AK-V needle hole plate. If the yarn is not cutting, see why your tufting machine is not cutting yarn and replacing the AK-V scissors.
The AK-V can also tuft loop pile by moving the scissor cutting block out of the way. It does not have a separate loop element. Use the AK-V section in how to switch from cut pile to loop pile. The written Duo steps on that page do not apply to the AK-V.
Ready to tuft
When the test line looks good, you are ready for a real project. Keep the front of the gun against the cloth, work with the grid, and oil the rods about every two hours of tufting. The technique basics and the maintenance checklist cover the rest.
If something feels off and you are not sure what you are looking at, contact us with a short video. We would rather check a factory setting with you than have you guess.