Gammill Statler vs Innova AutoPilot
#21
Super Member
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: kansas
Posts: 6,407
I have a Gammill Classic Plus (SR) without robotics. When I was researching, it was between Innova and Gammill and I got a good deal on this used machine and knew it's maintenance history. I've been very satisfied. I belong to a long arm guild and we had panel on the robotics--pros/cons, adding to our machines, etc. Seems that those with robotics seldom did any FMQ and those that did not start without robotics did not feel that they could/would learn FMQ. One thing that those that had robotics said was the switching from robotics to hand guided was not just flipping a switch, but involved little more than that and wasn't always timely. Those that custom quilted said that they did not use robotics as uber large shows have separate categories and their customers did not want the robotics. Several that used robotics only did E2E with them, although others said they would do some intensive programing (either on their own or with purchased designs) and have very elaborate designs. Bottomline from several of them is that the extra cost of the robotics pays off if you are doing many E2E quilts for customers. And one quilter/long arm tech said if you have the clientele to justify it, your best bet is to have 2 machines--one for FMQ and the other(he suggested used, with electronics needing repair cause when he installs robotics on a machine it usually results in rewiring anyway)setup to be working on overall designs at the same time. Bottomline for me was I do not have the customer base to justify the extra expense and love FMQ too much to give that up!
#22
Junior Member
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Birmingham, AL
Posts: 130
Are you positive you don't have this confused with some other brand? The Innova frame is EXTREMELY strong and doesn't appear to me to bend or flex at all. I have a shelf installed underneath the back section and have stored some fairly heavy things there. My 10 foot frame is still as straight as the day it was first installed a few years ago.
#23
No Way flimsy
What?? No way. The Innova frame is made from Airplane grade aluminum and is rock solid! I lean on mine and use it to help heft my sorry butt off the floor when I crawl underneath to check stitches. I put a lot of stress on my frame and it is solid. It is also set up so that you can customize it. You say you rent, so this leads me to believe that your rental place may have the machine head set up on something other than an Innova frame. The frame was in my top 5 list of why I went with Innova over another brand.
#24
Wow, this thread came along just in time for me. I am in the market to purchase a new long arm. I have the HQ 16 and want a bigger throat space and robotics. I have been looking at the Innova but not the Gammill since it is so high in price. But my question would be on a 26" is it hard to pin your quilts on? I am only 5 ft and really have to stretch to get to the back bar to do my pinning.
#25
Wow, this thread came along just in time for me. I am in the market to purchase a new long arm. I have the HQ 16 and want a bigger throat space and robotics. I have been looking at the Innova but not the Gammill since it is so high in price. But my question would be on a 26" is it hard to pin your quilts on? I am only 5 ft and really have to stretch to get to the back bar to do my pinning.
#26
Power Poster
Join Date: May 2009
Location: NY
Posts: 10,590
Wow, this thread came along just in time for me. I am in the market to purchase a new long arm. I have the HQ 16 and want a bigger throat space and robotics. I have been looking at the Innova but not the Gammill since it is so high in price. But my question would be on a 26" is it hard to pin your quilts on? I am only 5 ft and really have to stretch to get to the back bar to do my pinning.
#27
Wow, this thread came along just in time for me. I am in the market to purchase a new long arm. I have the HQ 16 and want a bigger throat space and robotics. I have been looking at the Innova but not the Gammill since it is so high in price. But my question would be on a 26" is it hard to pin your quilts on? I am only 5 ft and really have to stretch to get to the back bar to do my pinning.
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