How to Fix a Tufting Gun That Isn't Cutting Yarn (AK-V & AK-1)

If your tufting gun is no longer cutting yarn properly, the problem is often caused by incorrect scissor alignment rather than a broken machine. In this tutorial, I'll show how to adjust the tufting gun scissors on AK-V and AK-1 models so the yarn is cut cleanly again.

If you prefer following the process visually, you can also watch the complete video version of this tutorial above while working through the steps.

Supplies and tools used:

1. AK-V or AK-1 tufting gun
2. Hex key / Allen key
3. Yarn for testing
4. Ruler

Most of the materials used in this tutorial can be found at Tufty.eu.

If your tufting gun creates loops instead of cutting the yarn, cuts inconsistently, or occasionally misses stitches, the scissors are usually out of alignment. Before replacing parts, check the scissor position and clearances.

Before making any adjustments, check whether the scissors are actually cutting the yarn. In many cases, the tufting gun continues to operate normally, but the scissors fail to cut consistently, resulting in loops, missed cuts, or uneven results.

Carefully observe the scissors while the mechanism moves. If the blades do not cut the yarn cleanly every time, the alignment likely needs adjustment.

This quick inspection helps confirm that the issue comes from the scissors rather than the yarn, cloth, or another part of the machine.

Before adjusting the scissors, inspect the distance between the scissors and the ejector pin. These two components must be positioned correctly relative to each other for the tufting gun to cut yarn consistently.

If the gap is too large or too small, the scissors may fail to catch and cut the yarn properly. Compare the position carefully and look for any obvious misalignment before proceeding.

The normal distance is approximately 1.5 mm. If it is larger it needs to be reduced, and expanded if its less than 1.5mm.

A quick inspection of this area often reveals the cause of inconsistent cutting performance.

The scissor position can be adjusted using the dedicated adjustment screw. This screw controls how closely the blades meet during operation.

Make small adjustments only. Large changes can create new cutting problems.

After each adjustment, recheck the distance between the scissors and ejector pin.

Slowly adjust the screw while checking the scissor alignment. The blades should come together cleanly without excessive pressure.

Work in small increments and recheck the movement after every adjustment.

This is usually the step that fixes the issue.

After adjustment, manually move the mechanism and watch how the scissors close. The blades should meet smoothly and consistently throughout the cutting cycle.

Compare the blade position before and after adjustment.

If the gap is still too large, repeat the previous step with a small additional adjustment.

Thread some yarn through the tufting gun and perform a quick test. The yarn should now be cut cleanly and consistently.

Regular inspection of the scissors helps prevent future cutting issues and keeps your tufting gun operating smoothly.