fatdog

The Jewel is a good long arm machine, and the Grace Pinnsacle is a very good frame...BUT...it is free motion set-up not a computer-controlled one. The 8 thousand price is very competitive right now. If you are sure that you can do what you want with a free motion carriage you will not be diappointed. I do not have that kind of ability myself (not many do), and so I would first take a look carefully at a rig called a PC Quilter, which is a truely robotic (and automatic) computerized system that does amazing work (while you do something else) and it will probably cost you much less than 4 thousand (all in), including a really good long arm sewing machine, and a good Pinnacle frame too...You can find lots of info thru Google about it.

MadQuilter

Isn't is a mid-range machine (18" )? I played with it when I went to buy some bobbins. They quoted me $9k. Pat was with me and took a look at it but we both agreed that I need to outgrow what I have. BTW, the Jewel does have the stitch regulator built which I find a very helpful feature.

Oklahoma Suzie

good idea.