newbee3

has anyone used the clamps on the rails to hold a floating quilt tension??? If so what kind did you use I have seen several like plastic tubing 2" x 4" and then just some clamps these are not very wide

soccertxi

are you wanting to hold the top onto the quilt top pole? I used long magnets that are really magnetic tool holder. I got mine at Harbor Frieght for $5 each. (that was the sale price). In the picture they are the long black things you can see on the quilt top. If you are wanting side tensions or loading your top, I use Red E Edge side tensioners and Red Snapper loading system from Renae Haddadin at www.quiltsonthecorner.com Just a happy customer.

dunster

I agree with Beth - Red-E-Edge clamps are wonderful. They provide a wide, even tension on the sides of the quilt.

AliKat

I can use the red snappers on the top of the quilt and magnets on the bottom, but the Red-E Edge pieces are too difficult for my hands. Instead I made side leaders with ticking around a couple of free paint sticks then used hardware store easy release clamps to adjust the tension. Works for me.

Prism99

I have tried floating the top and batting using the narrow clamps. Maybe it's me, but I did not like it nearly as well as not floating the top; I get better results by not floating. I do think the wider clamps (sold on Jamie Wallen's site) would probably be better. Have not done any price comparisons.

Here is a link to the wider clamps:
http://www.quiltersapothecary.com/to...arm-tools.html

I got the Harbor Freight long magnets, but again they didn't work all that well for me. They are very strong and were difficult for me both to position correctly and then to remove (in order to re-position). Paradoxically, I also had a problem with them falling off unexpectedly (after I rolled the quilt without re-positioning the magnets). It may be a skills problem on my end, but so far attaching the quilt top bottom to a roller has worked best for me.

newbee3

thanks for all the info I get better results without floating also but some work okay for floating the one I am doing has a panel in the center and that part is already quilted and I figured it would not roll right on the roller.

newbee3

I agree you need tension on the sides I made my own