AK-I Cut Pile Tufting Machine
The world's best-selling tufting gun
Start making rugs with the original AK-I tufting machine - tried, tested and loved by thousands of happy artists and crafters across the world.
The AK-I cut-pile tufting gun is the perfect starter machine to help you transform yarn into tufted rugs and fluffy fibre art.
This powerful rug gun has been a global bestseller since 2020 and the model has proven reliability and results.
Ready to join the rug tufting club? Click on the boxes below to find out more!
Your new AK-I machine comes with:
- A comprehensive 14 page instruction manual covering everything you need to know, from how to tuft your first lines to how you can look after your gun
- A set of replacement parts and the tools you will need to adjust your machine
- A long threading tool to help you thread yarn into the needle of your machine
Tuftbox machines come from the manufacturer of the original AK-I, AK-II, AK-III, the AK-PRO and the AK-DUO “The Duo” and we guarantee the authenticity of the AK models that we distribute. With over two decades in the tufting industry, the experts behind the AK series continue to deliver unbeatable performance and reliability.
Every AK-I cut pile tufting gun sold by Tuftbox adheres to the high quality and safety standards expected for all UK machinery. The AK-I cut pile tufting gun is CE marked, affirming the machine conforms to both the UK and European standards for health, safety and environmental protection.
Tufting guns are complex electrical machinery that are capable of stitching hundreds of times in just a few seconds. To prevent accidents and injuries it is essential that every new tufter reads and follows our guide to safe tufting. This safety information is also included in the manual that comes with your machine.
We pride ourselves on delivering exceptional support - for free! You can get in touch with us anytime by emailing help@tuftbox.co.uk.
Tuftbox is a UK-based business, when you purchase a machine from us you're protected by awesome consumer rights which are guaranteed by law. Find out more by checking out our Returns Policy.
Got questions?
What is rug tufting?
Tufting is a textile manufacturing technique where a thread is inserted through a primary fabric base. A tufting gun is a hand-operated electric power tool that works by feeding yarn through a needle that rapidly punches an upright stretched piece of fabric.
New to tufting? We sell everything you need to get started - explore our tufting starter kits and check out our tufting yarns specially curated to work flawlessly with the AK-I.
What can I make with a tufting gun?
You can make a wide variety of textured textile products with a tufting machine including carpets, rugs, tapestries, wall art, stool covers, mirror frames, cushions and even clothing!
What is cut-pile tufting?
A tufting machine uses a mechanical needle that pushes yarn through fabric:
- A loop-pile machine punches yarn through the cloth in a continuous cycle, leaving loops of yarn.
- A cut-pile machine pushes yarn through the fabric and cuts the yarn.
The result is two very different finishing styles - cut-pile rugs have a dense fluffy pile and loop-pile rugs have more of a knobbly texture.
The AK-I machine is a cut-pile tufting gun. Over 90% of tufters choose cut-pile tufting machines and for good reason! They are easy to master, they make fluffy tufts that both look and feel great and they are a more affordable option than machines that do both cut and loop pile tufting.
Check out our blog Cut Pile vs. Loop Pile to find out more about the benefits and potential downsides of both styles.
What do I need to start making rugs?
Our ultimate guide to tufting supplies is a handy breakdown of the essential materials you’ll need to start making rugs. The guide includes the best supplies available in the UK.
On a budget? We’ve got you! The guide also has wallet-friendly picks for all of the tools and materials you’ll need to get tufting.
