Tufting Machine ModelAK-IAK-IIKRD-IAK-IIIPile types createdCutLoopCut and LoopCut and LoopEase of useVery easyVery easyMediumMedium to difficultPile height ranges.275" - .70" (7-18mm).157" - .55" (4-13mm)Cut: .35 - .70" (9 - 18mm)Loop: .24 - .47" (6

<table style="margin-right: calc(25%); width: 75%;"><tbody><tr><td style="width: 23.494%;">Tufting Machine Model</td><td style="width: 14.6586%;"><a href="https://tuftinggun.com/collections/tufting-machines/products/cut-pile-tufting-gun" target="_blank">AK-I</a></td><td style="width: 14.0562%;"><a href="https://tuftinggun.com/collections/tufting-machines/products/loop-pile-tufting-gun" target="_blank">AK-II</a></td><td style="width: 16.8669%;"> <a href="https://tuftinggun.com/collections/tufting-machines/products/the-duo-combo-loop-and-cut">DU</a>O&#xA0; </td><td style="width: 14.7323%;"><a href="https://tuftinggun.com/collections/tufting-machines/products/cut-and-loop-pile-tufting-machine-krd-i" target="_blank">KRD-I</a></td><td style="width: 16.0643%;"><a href="https://tuftinggun.com/collections/tufting-machines/products/rug-tufting-gun-v2-0" target="_blank">AK-III</a></td></tr><tr><td style="width: 23.494%;">Pile types created</td><td style="width: 14.6586%;">Cut</td><td style="width: 14.0562%;">Loop</td><td style="width: 16.8669%;">Cut and Loop</td><td style="width: 14.7323%;">Cut and Loop</td><td style="width: 16.0643%;">Cut and Loop</td></tr><tr><td style="width: 23.494%;">Ease of use</td><td style="width: 14.6586%;">Very easy</td><td style="width: 14.0562%;">Very easy</td><td style="width: 16.8669%;">Very easy</td><td style="width: 14.7323%;">Medium</td><td style="width: 16.0643%; vertical-align: middle;">Medium to Difficult</td></tr><tr><td style="width: 23.494%;"><div style="text-align: center;">Difficulty to change pile height</div></td><td style="width: 14.6586%;">Very difficult</td><td style="width: 14.0562%;">Very easy</td><td style="width: 16.8669%;">Medium difficult </td><td style="width: 14.7323%;">Very difficult </td><td style="width: 16.0643%; vertical-align: middle;">Medium difficult</td></tr><tr><td style="width: 23.494%;">Pile height ranges</td><td style="width: 14.6586%;">.275&quot; - .70&quot; (7-18mm)</td><td style="width: 14.0562%;">.157&quot; - .55&quot; (4-13mm)</td><td style="width: 16.8669%;">low pileCut: .275 - .70&quot; (7 - 18mm)Loop: .157 - .55&quot; (4 - 13mm)_________medium pile20-30 mm_________high pile35-45 mm</td><td style="width: 14.7323%;">Cut: .35 - .70&quot; (9 - 18mm)Loop: .24 - .47&quot; (6 - 12mm)</td><td style="width: 16.0643%;">.78&quot; - 2.36&quot; (20 - 60mm)</td></tr><tr><td style="width: 23.494%;">Weight</td><td style="width: 14.6586%;">3 lbs (1.4kgs)</td><td style="width: 14.0562%;">3 lbs (1.4kgs)</td><td style="width: 16.8669%;">3 lbs (1.4kgs)</td><td style="width: 14.7323%;">4 lbs 10 oz (2.88&#xA0;kgs)</td><td style="width: 16.0643%;">4 lbs 10 oz (2.88 kgs)</td></tr><tr><td style="width: 23.494%;">Electricity compatibility</td><td style="width: 14.6586%;">110v - 220v</td><td style="width: 14.0562%;">110v - 220v</td><td style="width: 16.8669%;">110v -&#xA0;220v</td><td style="width: 14.7323%;">110v</td><td style="width: 16.0643%;">110v - 220v</td></tr><tr><td style="width: 23.494%;">Air compressor required?</td><td style="width: 14.6586%;">No</td><td style="width: 14.0562%;">No</td><td style="width: 16.8669%;">No</td><td style="width: 14.7323%;">No</td><td style="width: 16.0643%;">Yes</td></tr></tbody></table> Want to see each machine in action?&#xA0;The following video demonstrates all four of the tufting machines we sell.<div class="hd--embed" data-provider="Vimeo" data-thumbnail style="text-align: center;"><iframe src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/580766408" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div> Watch our comparison video on TikTok with the Duo machine<blockquote cite="https://www.tiktok.com/@tufttheworld/video/7143951049538227499" class="tiktok-embed" data-video-id="7143951049538227499" id="v20483219525360584" style="max-width: 605px;min-width: 325px;"><iframe name="__tt_embed__v20483219525360584" sandbox="allow-popups allow-popups-to-escape-sandbox allow-scripts allow-top-navigation allow-same-origin" src="https://www.tiktok.com/embed/v2/7143951049538227499?lang=en-US&amp;referrer=https%3A%2F%2Ftufttheworldsupport.gorgias.com%2Fapp%2Fsettings%2Fhelp-center%2F547%2Farticles" style="width: 100%; height: 129px; display: block; visibility: unset; max-height: 129px;"></iframe></blockquote><script async src="https://www.tiktok.com/embed.js"></script>

Comparison Chart and Video

The pile of a rug refers to the raised surface of fibers, consisting of upright strands or loops of yarn. Cut-pile rugs feature a dense pile that exposes the end of the fibers. This is achieved with a cut-pile tufting machine, like the AK-I, which au

The pile of a rug refers to the raised surface of fibers, consisting of upright strands or loops of yarn.&#xA0;Cut-pile rugs feature a dense pile that exposes the end of the fibers. This is achieved with a cut-pile tufting machine, like the <a href="https://tuftinggun.com/products/cut-pile-tufting-gun" target="_blank">AK-I</a>, which automatically cuts the yarn as you tuft using small mechanical scissors. &#xA0;Loop-pile rugs have a nubby, &#x201C;looped&#x201D; texture because of the way in which <a href="https://tuftinggun.com/collections/tufting-machines/products/loop-pile-tufting-gun" target="_blank">loop-pile tufting machines</a> punch through the tufting cloth in a continuous cycle. This means that yarn must be cut by hand when the machine is moved away from the cloth.&#xA0;Low-pile refers to a shallow cut or loop-pile in which the fibers are relatively short, between .275 and .70 inches (or 7 - 18 mm). <a href="https://tufttheworld.gorgias.help/en-US/what-is-a-low-pile-machine-21201" target="_blank">Low-pile</a> rugs are created using electric tufting machines, including the <a href="https://tuftinggun.com/collections/tufting-machines/products/cut-pile-tufting-gun" target="_blank">AK-I Cut-Pile</a>, <a href="https://tuftinggun.com/collections/tufting-machines/products/loop-pile-tufting-gun" target="_blank">AK-II Loop-Pile</a>,&#xA0;<a href="https://tuftinggun.com/collections/tufting-machines/products/the-duo-combo-loop-and-cut" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">low-pile DUO machine</a>&#xA0;and <a href="https://tuftinggun.com/collections/tufting-machines/products/cut-and-loop-pile-tufting-machine-krd-i" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">KRD-I Cut &amp; Loop-Pile</a>. This is the most common pile for rug tufting.&#xA0;High-pile, alternatively, refers to a deeper rug pile, in which fibers are relatively long, between .78 - 2.36 inches (or 20 and 60 mm) and have a &#x201C;shaggy&#x201D; look. All pneumatic tufting machines (those that require an air compressor) are capable of creating high piles. The most elite <a href="https://tufttheworld.gorgias.help/en-US/what-is-a-high-pile-machine-21192" target="_blank">high-pile</a> machine we sell is the <a href="https://tuftinggun.com/collections/tufting-machines/products/rug-tufting-gun-v2-0" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">AK-III Industrial Tufting Machine</a>. &#xA0;But our&#xA0;<a href="https://tuftinggun.com/collections/tufting-machines/products/the-duo-combo-loop-and-cut" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">medium and high pile DUO machines</a>&#xA0;are also capable of high pile tufting. &#xA0;Check out <a href="https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/MTLwDp29GIM" target="_blank">this video</a> to see close-ups of cut and loop-piles!<div class="hd--embed" data-provider="YouTube" data-thumbnail="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/MTLwDp29GIM/hqdefault.jpg" style="text-align: justify; line-height: 1.5;"><iframe width="100%" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/MTLwDp29GIM?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen class="fr-draggable"></iframe> </div>

What is the difference between cut, loop, low, and high-piles?

Need some extra tuft support? 
Send us an email.

Shop Now

About

Workshops

Community

Blog

Tuft the World 

Compare the Machines

Why should I buy from Tuft the World?

What do I need to start tufting? A quick overview.

How to set up a Tuft the World Instant Tufting Frame

How can I build my own frame?

Do I have to tuft on Primary Tufting Cloth, or can I use something else?

What’s the best way to attach my cloth to the frame?

Quick Start Video

Do I need a special adapter or plug to use my tufting machine?

Safety Precautions While Tufting

How do I attach (or remove) my tufting machine handle?

Getting Started

How do I keep my tufting machine running smoothly?

Why isn’t my AK-I Cut-Pile, DUO or KRD machine cutting?

My machine won't turn off!

My machine is making a high-pitched sound!

How do I return my machine to its factory setting?

The white gear on my cut-pile machine is stuck. How can I fix it?

Why is my machine cutting the cloth? How should I fix this rip?

Why won’t the yarn stay in the cloth?

Why is my tufting cloth coming through on the front of my rug?

Tuft Support

Shaping and Carving your Rug

How do I finish my tufted piece?

What type of adhesive and backing should I use for my tufted piece?

Should I have my rug professionally finished?

How should I clean my finished tufted piece?

How do I price my rug?

Finishing Tufted Pieces

Workshop FAQ's

What is a low-pile machine?

How do I thread my low-pile machine?

How do I change the pile height on my AK-I Cut-pile Tufting Machine?

How do I change the pile height on my AK-II Loop-pile Tufting Machine?

How do I change the pile height on my KRD-I Cut-and-Loop-Pile Tufting Machine?

If I buy the loop machine, can I just cut the loops to make cut piles?

Low-Pile Machines

What is a high-pile machine?

What kind of air compressor and fittings do I need?

Why isn’t my AK-III cutting!?

High-Pile Machines

Shipping FAQ

Global Shipping and Import Fees

Purchasing and Shipping

Returns and Exchanges

1-year Warranty

What kind of yarn should I tuft with?

How to feed your yarn

How much yarn do I need to tuft a rug?

All About Yarn

How do I sign up for Reflect Rewards?

How do I know how many points I have?

My points aren’t reflecting in my account.

When can I use my points?

Do points expire?

I’m excited about collecting points, but I already have a customer login account. Do I still get points for creating an account?