As I wrote in this post, I bought a new sewing machine! It is a Juki industrial sewing machine, DDL-9000SS with CP160 Servo Moter. I thought I’d write a review – I’ve only been using it for a less than two weeks, so I still have a lot to learn but here are my initial thoughts:
Model: 9000SS
I had the hardest time deciding whether to go for one of the Juki’s older models, the 5551, 5570 or 8700. They were cheaper, and I heard that industrial sewing machines last for a while, even the older models if you take a good care of them. But at the same time, I’ve heard that Juki no longer produces parts for older models, so if it broke, I would have hard time finding the necessary parts. This was a concern to me since I know nothing about fixing sewing machines. I am terrible with anything mechanical. I don’t even know how to change a light bulb!
That is most of the reason I went for the newest model from Juki, the 9000 series.
9000 is a direct-drive machine, so the head of the sewing machine is very heavy. The dealer took the machine to the second floor of my place, but because of the narrow stares, he had to take the head off the machine and carry the table and the head separately.
Why Juki?
No particular reasons, except that I have a Juki serger. I thought I’d match. I think Juki and Brother are the two major industrial sewing machine manufacturers, and I’ve seen the designers use Brother industrial sewing machine on Project Runway. I got Juki because if something happens to my machine, I can contact one manufacturer, instead of two different ones 
Speed
It goes up to 5000 stitches/minute. If it is running in the highest speed, it is so fast! I am concerned that I will break a needle because it is that fast. Adjusting the speed is very easy with this machine. It is almost like home sewing machine. You can adjust the speed with the foot pedal, but also adjust the maximum speed at the thing on the computer panel on the right side of the sewing machine. I usually set it in the medium, but it still goes very fast.
Motor
During the search for the industrial sewing machine, I learnt that there are two different motors for industrial machines: clutch motor and servo motor. Mine has servo motor and I am very pleased by that. I hear that it is very difficult to control the clutch motor, it is like driving a stick shift. I haven’t even driven a stick shift before (there are two different driver licenses in Japan! stick shift license and automatic one), so naturally I went for servo motor. With servo motor, machine works just like home sewing machine. It is very easy to control the speed.
Automatic thread cutter
I love this feature. By pressing the pedal deep on the ankle side, the machine automatically cuts the tread short and lifts the sewing foot. I did not know what a time saver it was until I started using it. It is also nice not to have a bunch of thread cluttering your sewing table.
Needle
Industrial sewing machines use different needles from home sewing machines. It uses a needle called DBx1. The shape is different, as it is all round, but has a dent on the side shaft. I struggled a bit trying to change the needle. It is really important to have the dent on the right side, and the top of the needle touches the ceiling of the place you insert the needle. For some reason, I could not get its head touch the ceiling even if I pushed, so I ended up tightening the screw for the needle without properly inserting the needle. This caused the bobbin thread stitch to skip, and I had to redo it. I feel like the needle breaks much easier with the industrial sewing machine, with small things, like touching the hard plastic part of the invisible zipper or something. I get nervous every time I break a needle until I find every broken piece. If it gets in the bobbin case or somewhere near down there, that will damage all those metal parts which will eventually cause the need for sewing machine repair.
Where I bought it
I bought my machine from this guy. He runs the second hand industrial sewing machine shop, sells sewing notions online, and sells shrimps and oranges. That’s so random. He said he used to own a sweatshop, but because many brands use factories overseas for cheaper labor costs, he had to close down his factory. After the close-down, he started a business of buying second-hand industrial machines from factories in Japan, repairing them, and selling them online. His shop is located in Kumamoto, Kyusyu island, but he delivered my machine himself, set it up in my studio, and taught me how to use it. I am very pleased by his service. Other second-hand industrial sewing machine dealers did not deliver by themselves, rather they use a regular shipping company like Yamato, so when the sewing machine arrive you will have to know how to set it up or have the sewing mechanic come in. After my sewing machine’s break down, I wanted little to do with machine trouble. So I do recommend this place. He only speaks Japanese by the way.
Light
Unlike the home sewing machine, there is no built-in light. Thankfully my dealer attached a florescent light right above the sewing foot area, which makes it easy to see. It is just a small thing, but it counts!
I have a lot more to say, but will save it to another post!
The other neat feature your machine has that does not come standard, is a turret foot. Very handy, I just got some for my machines that can take them. Yours is a nice solid machine; you’ll get many years of enjoyment out of it. I have a DLN 9010 (needle feed) that is similar. My other Juki is a 1541 walking foot. Generally, you don’t need to worry about age of a Juki. These are nicely engineered machines, designed to use standard parts so it would be unusual that parts would be unavailable. My other machines span a variety of makes. My favorite is my Adler 271. It’s older than yours but the mechanisms are more elegant, no other way to describe it. Parts for it are insane expensive but unless one does something really really stupid, it is hard to break an industrial.
Note: sweatshop is derogatory and should not be used as a synonym for sewing factory. I run a sewing factory (kind of, more product development than anything) and my shop is neat, clean, comfortable, safe and with the latest in industrial equipment. I pay a starting wage that is 120% over minimum wage. Mine isn’t a sweatshop. I’ve worked hard to provide all of this; I went without help for a long time (over 10 years) because it mattered a great deal to me to provide a nice working environment and good pay to employees when I eventually hired them.
Hi Kathleen! First I just want to say that I am so honored to read your comments on my little blog! I have been reading your blog for a long time. When I first came across with Fashion Incubator, I spent hours and hours on your site, reading every single one of your articles!
I read your review on your industrial sewing machines, and it was very helpful for me in deciding to purchase my sewing machine. I have not found any Adler industrial sewing machines in Japan. I found Juki, and Brother and some Mitsubishi, but never came across with Adler.
I was lucky to get a machine with turrent foot (I didn’t know what it was called) already installed, because the previous owner of the machine was a sample maker. My dealer asked me before delivering the machine whether I wanted it to be replaced with a single foot, but I asked him to keep it. I have an invisible zipper foot, regular foot and rolled hem foot installed and it is very handy to have three of them ready to be used, instead of installing them with screw driver every time.
I would love an industrial machine, I used one at the place I use to work, a brother I think it was but very old and not well looked after either, but lovely to work with!
Glad your happy with yours. juki has a good name and I think I would go for this make too if I ever buy one ( I hope to at some point) I’m quite interested to hear about the servo motor too it’s not something I’ve came across before. Thanks for share your thoughts on it, look forward to hearing more
Hi Sarah! Before looking into purchasing an industrial sewing machine, I didn’t know there were any differences in motors. I first made an inquiry to a dealer about a machine with clutch motor, because that was the cheapest machine on sale, but after a little bit of looking into, not only the lack of speed control but also the noise can be a problem for me if I were to purchase a machine with clutch motor. I hear that as soon as you turn the machine one, it makes a noise like plane taking off! I live in a town house with a neighbor facing right next to us, so I’m sure I would have heard a lot of complaints!! I am so happy with servo motor. It is very smooth, and when you turn off the machine, the noise is barely noticeable!
I have been searching the web for reviews of the Juki and find so little. It’s distressing. Thank you for posting your thoughts on your machine. I’m about to purchase a Juki, but I’m having a hard time choosing a model and do not have a local dealer. Your comments have helped. Thanks!
Hi Ramona, I am glad that my review was helpful! I did run in to the same problem when I was looking for a review for a specific model. For instance, I could not find many reviews on 9000SS, which is the one I bought. Anyway, I am planning on writing more reviews on the machine later, so please keep checking back:)
Thanks for sharing the review! Now I am more and more convinced that an industrial sewing machine is much better and worth the money rathern than any fancy electic sewing machine!
Hi! I love my new machine! I think it depends on what you sew, whether an industrial machine is worth it for you.. For me since I never really use anything other than straight stitch, it was a great purchase, but if someone wants fancy decorative stitches, then maybe electric machines might be better suited for them!
Thanks for the review! I’ve never used an industrial model, but I’m really interested in them.
Hi Sonja, I think you would LOVE an industrial machine! It has cut my sewing time so much, I regret for not purchasing it sooner.
Hi! I came across your blog through the luvinthemommyhood maternity round up (you posted a paperbag maternity skirt on DIY maternity). Then I started reading your posts on adoption and your little girl and I just wanted to say I love your blog and I’d love to hear how the adoption process goes for you. It sounds like whatever your family looks like one day, it’ll be loving and happy.
I guess to be more related to this post: I’ve never bought a sewing machine (I use my mother’s old one for everything) but if I ever decide to invest in sewing as a small business I will definitely consider your review!
Hi Shirley! Thank you so much for your comment! Speaking of adoption, we JUST got approved as adoptive parents and now in the waiting period! I am planning of sharing more in the future post. Thank you for reading my blog, so encouraging to read comments like yours <3
I have a Juki machine myself, with the auto cut thread feature! One thing i’ve learned is that sometimes when sewing it doesn’t want to catch the bobbin thread, so I always use a leader piece of scrap fabric to start sewing.. it’s easier to snip that off than to start sewing and find that it didn’t catch the bobbin thread for the first 1.5 inches of my edge.. really annoying!