Juki DDL 5550N Review

Editor’s note: This review was originally written in 2016. We have revised and updated this post in 2023 and added Juki devices that were released more recently and are successors to the DDL 5550N, which includes Juki DDL8700H, Juki TL-2010Q, Juki HZL-DX7, and more

I got a chance to review the Juki DDL 5550N by a stroke of luck, as my neighbor received it in a huge box just as I was heading out. The box contained a brand new Juki DDL 5550N industrial sewing machine with straight stitch only. When I got my nerve up, I asked Kennedy, my neighbor, for permission to review his new acquisition, and I am very grateful that permission was granted.

Overview

The Juki DDL 5550N is mounted on its own table with a dual cone thread holder, an onboard lamp, and bobbin winder, as well as a 30 inch ruler along the front. It has a whisper-quiet servo motor and a needle plate with etched seam guides.

There is also a finger guard, a manual spring tension adjustment dial, and a large reverse stitch lever on the right column. The on/off switch is located on the front of the table on the right side, and there is also a knee lift that is used to raise and lower the presser foot.

Since the Juki DDL 5550N is a straight stitch only machine, one might be tempted to think the needle plate and presser foot were permanently attached, but they are not. Some of the key features that I tend to like best on this machine are not even visible to the naked eye.

The Juki DDL 5550N is equipped with a thread trimmer that is embedded beneath the needle plate along with a fabric edge sensor which automatically stops the machine and trims the thread when the needle runs off the edge of the fabric. Another invisible feature that makes working on the Juki DDC 5550N even more time efficient is the bobbin thread sensor, which buzzes when the bobbin thread is running low. 

Juki DDL 5550N – Features

• Sews up to 5500 stitches per minute
• Adjustable stitch length up to 5mm
• Finger guard
• Knee lift
• Reverse/lock stitch control
• On board bobbin winder with separate motor
• Servo motor
• Needle plate with seam guides
• On board 30 inch ruler
• Bobbin thread sensor
• On board thread trimmer
• Fabric edge sensor
• Adjustable presser foot pressure

Working on the Juki DDL 5550N

Anyone who has prior knowledge or experience in working on industrial sewing machines will have no problem threading the Juki DDL 5550N or winding the bobbin.  However, if you are new to working on an industrial sewing machine, or even if you have been away from it for a long time, you might need assistance.
The instruction manual is helpful and will take users through the step by step process.  The manual, however, is written in such a way that anyone who is not already adept at sewing machine operation, and the proper names for the basic parts of a sewing machine will be completely lost.

Once threaded and bobbin wound and put in place, I discovered that the Juki DDL 5550N is not only lightning fast, but it is also surprisingly quiet.  The Servo motor on this machine is smaller, yet seemingly more powerful than the Servo motors mounted on industrial sewing machines that I had the opportunity to review in the past.
Before allowing me to review his new acquisition, Kennedy had only set it up and sewed a few test stitches to make sure it was operating properly.   When it was time for me to test the sewing performance of the Juki DDL 5550N, Kennedy gave me a piece of medium-weight woven cotton blend fabric.
I discovered that the tension needed to be adjusted a little for the stitches to be properly balanced. It took only a slight turn of the tension dial to achieve the perfect setting for the particular fabric he gave me to work with.
After that task was accomplished, the stitches produced were not only well-formed, they were secure in every way.  I could change stitch length while sewing and the large reverse/lock stitch lever moved easily and effortlessly.

Juki DDL 5550N – Fabrics

Fabrics that work	Fabrics that don’t work
Natural fibers/cotton-linen-wool	Fine fabrics/silk-satin-taffeta/velvet
Denim	Knits
Upholstery	Synthetic fabrics/blends-rayon-polyester
Leather / suede
Fur
Reptile skin
Canvas/ Twill
Plastic / Rubber
Extra thick fabrics or multiple layers

Accessories with Juki DDL 5550

When it comes to industrial sewing machines, one can never expect to find the large number of standard accessories we have come to expect when unpacking a sewing machine for home use.  The accessories that come with the Juki DDL 5550N are somewhat limited.

Aside from the on board lamp, cone thread stands and table mounted bobbin winder, the only accessories that come with the Juki DDL 5550D are screwdrivers, an oil dispenser and an owner’s manual.

Maintenance – DDL 5550

Activity	After each use	Monthly	Annual	As needed
Clean race hook and feed dogs	Yes	No	No	No
Wipe head with soft dry cloth	No	No	No	Yes
Wipe head with soft damp cloth	No	No	No	Yes
Lubricate	No	No	No	Yes
Service by sewing machine repair professional	No	No	No	Yes

Tying Off The Loose Ends

The Juki DDL 5550N is loaded with all the standard features anyone in the market for a well -built industrial sewing machine would want and then more. The newly added sensors that warn you when the bobbin thread is running low or when the needle sews beyond the edge of the fabric are features that in my opinion only enhance the value of this straight stitch only industrial sewing machine for anyone who uses it.

According to the Juki website, this machine is recommended for apparel construction, using medium weight fabrics.  I concur with that recommendation, and might add that heavy weight apparel fabrics would be suitable as well.  This includes apparel weight leather, suede and vinyl as well as light to medium weight upholstery fabric.  Solely based upon the manufacturer’s recommendation, I hesitate to recommend this machine for excessive use with heavy upholstery fabrics, leather or suede.
My only guess is that there is something about this machine that is not readily apparent to the naked eye that precludes its long term use with fabrics heavier than this. With this in mind, I strongly recommend the Juki DDL 5550N for use in a tailor shop, an alteration shop or like my neighbor, a home based business focused on clothing construction.
With the exception of having to stop to adjust the tension – which is to be expected when working with any machine with a manual tension adjustment – I found the Juki DDL 5550N to be exceptionally user friendly when compared with other industrial sewing machines.
I especially like the automatic tie off feature that I have not observed on any other industrial sewing machine.  Snipping threads is certainly not a time consuming task, but when you have a machine that sews up to 5500 stitches per minute and cuts threads as well, you can really appreciate the time savings in a major way.

I do not recommend this machine for use by anyone who is not  comfortable working on high speed sewing machines… which definitely eliminates anyone who is new to sewing.  However, in my opinion, I believe the Juki DDL 5550N could very well be a good choice for use in vocational programs where tailoring is a course of study.
Learning the skills needed to be a successful and productive tailor or alteration specialist on a machine like this is a major advantage for students whose experience is limited to standard home or classroom sewing machines.

Three other Juki machines we recommend as alternatives

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)