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Aussie Retailer 💯 TUFT CITY💯 Quality supply
**We take into consideration performance, availability, after-care service, repairability, reputation and price.
This is the newest addition to the AK line of rug guns.
The rise of tufting in the wake of the pandemic has significantly increased its user base and as a result tools are no longer supplied directly for use by the rug making industry. New users are not quite as mechanically minded and as a result there has grown an expectation that machines be easy to use and more cheaply produced.
Through consultation with users, engineers have worked tirelessly to re-engineer the mechanics and make them more user friendly however there have been a few sticking points that they have struggled to perfect.
The release of the KRD series of guns in 2021 saw these dilemas played out in real time as guns were adjusted and improved upon with new iterations released continuously. By the time the final design was perfected, it was difficult for users to determine which release they had purchased. This made aftercare challenging with conflicting servicing videos baffling users. This experience, while frustrating, helped pave the way for the AK-Pro and all the issues that plagued the KRD have been recognised and resolved with this model. The AK-Pro is an amazing improvement overall.
The tufts are incredibly even and unlike other 2-in-1 guns, these machines are quite light and easy to hold. There is a new system for changing pile height which is fast and easy and converting from cut to loop pile is now a fast turnaround. These factors were the stumbling blocks that have been problematic for all previous dual models but have been embraced and the challenges have been overcome. You can’t help but give credit to the engineers.
While there are other industrial models in use today, few can offer the kind of reliability and user simplicity that the original AK-I offers at such a competitive price-point.
The AK-I is a professional grade CUT PILE machine and is commonly used today in both rug factories and online via social media.
This is the model that has spawned generations of copies so beware of fakes.
If you get your hands on a real deal, you’ll be equiped with a tool set to last.
Not much can actually go wrong with these little workhorses and repairs are generally quite simple and easy to do. A reputable seller should be able to repair it for you or at the very least walk you through the process.
This gun is an easy thing to hold. Many rug guns are quite heavy units to start with and it can get quite tiring tufting for prolonged periods while pushing and guiding into your backing cloth.
The AK-1 certainly gives your arms a rest.
This gun makes tufting an enjoyable process and you'll find yourself reaching for it more often than not if you have it amongst your toolset. It's not too noisy either so it's a no brainer that we put it on the top of our TOP 10 list.
*There is a significant difference in the sound of an authentic AK-1. Copies are often noisy and clunky.
Specifications:
Cut Pile Height Range (adjustable): 7 - 20mm
Speed Range: 5-45 stitches/sec. This is adjusted via a convenient speed dial located at the base of the hand grip.
Weight: 1.4kg aluminium construction
If your choice of rug pile is loop then you could really benefit from high quality from the very outset. While cut-piles are easily trimmed to conform to a chosen length, irregular loops can't be reshaped as easily so loop integrity is better handled by a decent machine.
The AK-2 is the tool for the job and a perfect accompaniment to the AK-1.
Specifications:
We do lean quite heavily on this family of AK tufting machines.
The AK-III is a more powerful tool and does require an air compressor to run but it isn't as noisy an option as you'd expect. While it does make a bit of noise, the sound concerns are really down to your choice of air compressor so make sure you investigate silent options.
These tools have been in use for generations in rug making factories in India and predate the electric models however they work on the same principle and are a great way to get an understanding of the tufting process. Today they can be used solely or even as an addition to add colour or dimension to your work. They come with set lengths in cut or loop pile.
Older models have handles made from coconut trees and you can identify parts made up from objects such as bottle caps. More typically today newer models are developed in polished or painted steel and wood.
The 45mm cut-pile tool is quite easy to get the hang of and is a fantastic option for those seeking long shag-pile on a budget. You can pack quite a few strands in the eye of the needle so it provides really nice tufts that can be left as is or carved and trimmed. They are not unlike many vintage rug making or Danella tools but are a little heartier and less refined. I find the older models don’t tend to last due to the stress on the handles but the newer steel versions have handles that last considerably longer.
Let us know if you’d like some and we will send you in the right direction.
These tools are ridiculous!
They come with their own speed regulator so you can speed-up and slow-down but as far as simplicity of use… it ends there!
They are for very confident users. As rad as they are, they are electric scissors. They are very heavy duty industrial scissors and not for the faint hearted.
But if you get to a point where you want to up your rug game, nothing beats them. They clean up your lines like nothing else but one slip and you've cut your rug so enter with caution.
*Please contact us directly if you would like to order a pair.
These rug making tools operate just like a wood planer. You essentially shave the rug down to a level that you set on the device. It makes all the shapes tidy and brings colours to life.
It is a serious purchase for those who are prepared to take their rugmaking to the next level.
Powered by lithium batteries, these carvers are rechargeable and powerful enough to handle a hefty tufting session. The real beauty for me is that there are no longer chords in the way.
Hand forged and finished by rug companies in India, these scissors are just beautiful objects. They have been used for generations and we are lucky to have discovered them.
Another intense looking tool that could be dangerous in the wrong hands, this comb is quite a hefty object. It is hand made and designed for use in the final stages of rugmaking. Have you noticed that rugs can continue to lose hair for some time after you have made them? This shedding can continue for quite some time which is messy upkeep for your valued customers.
