EFFY / YOUR COMPANION GUIDE
Get to know your AK-III.
AK-III Pneumatic Tufting Gun: Complete Setup, Air Compressor Guide & Video Tutorial
The AK-III (AK-3) is a pneumatic tufting machine for cut pile, loop pile and long-pile work. It requires both electricity and compressed air: the motor drives the mechanical tufting action, while the airflow carries the yarn through the needle.
The AK-III runs on DC power and comes with a universal AC-to-DC power converter. Use the included converter to power the gun. Your air compressor has its own separate electrical requirements.
This guide brings together EFFY's compressor, hose and adjustment references, with the original AK-III video tutorials. View the AK-III in the US shop, compare tufting machines or read the pile-height and setup guide.
Before you begin: watch the full tutorial for the adjustment you plan to make, and check that the parts shown match your machine.
01 / SEE IT IN ACTION
See the AK-III in action
See how makers use the AK-III to build soft pile, sculptural texture and finished pieces. These short demos show the machine at work; the setup instructions follow below.
Three demos · Swipe or scroll sideways to explore. Select play on any video to watch.
Creating sculptural texture
Follow Kerri’s tufting and carving, then see the layered shapes and textures up close.
@kerrihollingsworth_artistry
24 seconds
Tufting soft, textured pile
Watch Andie use the AK-III, then see the soft cream pile from the front of the cloth.
@andiesolar
41 seconds
From the frame to finished textile art
Follow Emma’s textile artwork from the frame through finishing and display.
@emma.j.dodds
62 seconds
02 / AIR COMPRESSOR
Choosing an air compressor
EFFY recommends a compressor with a minimum 15.9 US gal (60 L) tank and enough delivered airflow to maintain consistent yarn feeding. Our recommended working-pressure setting is 120 PSI. The AK-III can also work at 90 PSI if the compressor supplies enough airflow.
| Feature | EFFY recommendation |
|---|---|
| Minimum tank size | 15.9 US gal (60 L) |
| Delivered airflow | 7.06 CFM (200 L/min) at the working pressure |
| Recommended working-pressure setting | 120 PSI (approximately 8.3 bar) |
| Recommended compressor pressure capacity | 145 PSI (approximately 10 bar) |
Check the compressor's delivered airflow at the pressure required by the machine. Tank capacity alone does not tell you whether a compressor can maintain the airflow needed during tufting. The compressor's maximum pressure is not the pressure you should automatically set at the gun.
The AEG 15.9 US gal (60 L) compressor is an AU/NZ reference example. Use it to find a similar compressor in US hardware or compressor shops. Ask the supplier to match the tank size and delivered airflow at your working pressure, and to confirm that the compressor suits your electrical supply.
03 / HOSE & FITTINGS
Air hose and fittings
The original EFFY setup uses a 3/8-inch ARO male fitting on the AK-III. Its New Zealand/Australian connection example lists:
- A 3/8-inch ARO female fitting.
- A 3/8-inch to 1/4-inch BSP female brass reducer.
- A 1/4-inch air hose.
Use this AU/NZ fittings list to find equivalent parts in US hardware or air-tool shops. Take the fitting details or the parts with you so the supplier can match the connector and thread types on your machine, hose and compressor. Similarly sized fittings may use different threads or connector systems.
Check connections for leaks. The original setup uses PTFE tape; confirm where thread sealant is appropriate for the fittings you are using.
04 / FILTER & OIL
Filter, lubricator and air-tool oil
EFFY recommends a filter and lubricator between the compressor and the machine, rated for 140 PSI (approximately 9.7 bar) or higher, with hydraulic air-tool oil. Every component must also be rated for the highest pressure it will receive in your setup. A component connected before the regulator can receive the compressor's full pressure, even when the gun is set lower.
Keep these AU/NZ examples handy when shopping in the USA: filter and lubricator and hydraulic air-tool oil. Look for similar products in US hardware, compressor or air-tool shops, and ask the supplier to match the pressure ratings, fittings and oil type.
05 / PRESSURE & AIRFLOW
Pressure and airflow settings
120 PSI is EFFY's recommended setting. It is not a strict minimum: the AK-III can work at 90 PSI when there is enough airflow to feed the yarn consistently. Pressure and airflow work together, so a pressure reading alone does not tell you whether the compressor can keep up.
| Setting | Guidance |
|---|---|
| 120 PSI (approximately 8.3 bar) | EFFY's recommended working-pressure setting. |
| 90 PSI (approximately 6.2 bar) | Can work when the compressor delivers enough airflow for consistent yarn feeding. |
Use the regulator to set the pressure required by the machine. Stay within the ratings of every component in the air supply.
06 / ADJUSTMENT REFERENCES
Blade, spacer and foot: adjustment references
These references apply to the AK-III configuration described in the original guide. Match your machine to the full demonstration before changing the blade, spacer or foot.
- Facing the needle, the spacer's thin side is on the left and its thick side is on the right.
- The blade aligns with the thin side of the spacer.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Pile / needle height up to 1.57 in (40 mm) | Foot level with the needle |
| Pile / needle height above 1.57 in (40 mm) | Foot approximately 0.039 in (1 mm) above the needle |
Disconnect the electrical supply and isolate the compressed-air supply before ordinary mechanical adjustments. If your arrangement differs from the reference, contact EFFY before proceeding.
Valve timing is an advanced adjustment
The original guide describes checking valve timing with the electrical cord unplugged and compressed air connected, manually turning the connecting rod with an Allen wrench and observing airflow as the blade passes the air hole. This is an advanced diagnostic procedure, rather than routine setup.
If you suspect a timing problem, or the gun head has been removed, contact EFFY with photographs of your machine before attempting the check or changing its timing.
07 / OLDER VIDEO TUTORIALS
Older AK-III video tutorials (may be outdated)
Start with the air-compressor video Carolyn recommends below, then follow EFFY's AK-III tutorials for hose connections, cut-to-loop conversion and feeding-wheel changes. Watch each full demonstration before making adjustments.
Understanding air compressors
Independent video by See Jane Drill · Recommended by Carolyn
Carolyn found this video when she was first learning and found it really helpful for understanding air compressors. She has linked it here to help you get started with your own air setup.
Watch See Jane Drill’s air-compressor introduction on YouTube
Attaching the air hose
Watch the AK-III air-hose connection Short.
Changing the AK-III from cut pile to loop pile
Changing the AK-III feeding-wheel size
Watch the feeding-wheel demonstration for an additional view.
08 / BEFORE EACH SESSION
Before each session
- Check hose connections for leaks and check the regulated pressure. EFFY recommends 120 PSI; 90 PSI can work with sufficient airflow.
- Check blade and spacer alignment against your machine's instructions.
- Keep the gun and head clear of yarn fluff.
- Follow the compressor, filter and lubricator manufacturers' maintenance instructions.
If airflow drops, yarn feeding becomes inconsistent or the mechanism appears misaligned, stop and ask for help. Email hello@allthingseffy.com with your machine model, compressor details, pressure setting and photographs. For coverage information, see the EFFY tufting-machine warranty.
