PlanoDebbie

I've had my Longarm for about 2 years now. I would love to pay someone that would come to my house to give it a tune-up and make sure it's all set up properly and to teach me how best to make tension adjustments. I bought my machine over the internet, and would never buy one that way again. I really want to learn how to consistently get beautiful quilting. One minute everything looks great, and the next minute I want to throw it off the roof. I've got a Queen Quilter 18 (Tin Lizzie step-sister) and live near Dallas.

Any suggestions?

eparys

Do you have a local/reputable dealer? I would start there. Or maybe call the Company that built it.

I have a voyager and I had the same problem here but since the company had been bought out and they were not produced any more I was in a quandary . It was even hard to find somewhere to take it. The DH finally strapped a long 2x4 to the top and we "humped" it down the stairs and took it to someone who supposedly had been a dealer TWICE and each time it came back worse than it left. I finally called the company that bought out Hintenberg - the guy was great and I let my husband at it with the guys suggestions. Works fine now.

Best of luck -

lfletcher

Call Linda's Electric Quilts in McKinney. They sell Gammills, but our Gammill service rep down here in San Antonio works on all machines and he comes to your house. Their rep may do the same or they might be able to refer you to someone. They are very nice people to work wiith.

Geri B

Wish the same...unfortunately not to my knowledge...there is a profession just waiting to be filled......there are more and more home L/A popping up. I load my sewing head into my car every 4 yrs and head to Iowa to give her a spa day....just to make sure things I don't know about are ok! Other than that, I have learned many things about maintenance on line. Knock on wood no problems that have not been operator errors....machine is fine...shhh, not too loud!

#1piecemaker

This is what I would do if I were you. Or, call the company that makes them and ask for the name of a rep in your area that services their machines.

TeresaA

Regarding the tension, maybe give us a few details of what makes you want to throw it off the roof.

Also tell us:
What thread
What needle.
What have you tried to fix it.
Did it ever work the way you wanted it to?
I wish you lived closer to Washington. I'd offer to come help you with the tension part -- at no charge. I could do the rest, but won't because then if anything goes wrong it's MY fault ;-). I am very technical and it's really helped with troubleshooting sewing problems as well.



Sometimes using the right needle changes EVERYTHING "tension"-wise.



Sewing machines, whether they're quilters, domestics etc are all basically similar. Any sewing machine repair worth its salt can adjust them. Try calling your local sewing shop.

PlanoDebbie

Needle used: 134 SAN 11 (18/4.0), also tried 19/4.5
Thread: Omni, Rainbow and Glide

I've had great luck one minute, then horrible results the next. I think my biggest issue is that I don't know exactly what I need to do for regular maintenance and adjustments. The manufacturer owner's manual that I received was a 19 page pdf printout with black/white pictures. I feel like I need to have a Master's Degree in Mechanical Engineering to use my longarm. I can drive my car without needing to know how to rebuild a carburetor, but I feel absolutely inept with my longarm when it's not stitching the way I would like it to stitch.

I know I could drag my machine in to a shop for a cleaning, but that wouldn't tell me if my frame is properly set up, square, level or anything else. I also know that I could sign up to take a longarm class somewhere, but I really need to learn how MY machine works in MY house. Hopefully that makes sense. When I bring my regular machine in to be cleaned, it doesn't matter if I set it up on my kitchen table or dining room table. It will work the same. I've been sewing for about 45 years and never expected to have so much difficulty understanding my longarm after 2 years.

soccertxi

Have you checked out Yahoo to see if there is a Tin Lizzie/Queen quilter group? Nothing like someone who owns the same model to hold your hand (ask me how I know! 4th machine, 3rd frame, 1st NEW with new owners class...I was on my OWN with the early systems) Make sure you are using the right needle for your machine. I was using what I thought was what I got with the machine, only to find out, they were Singer needles and I should have been using Groz-Bekerts (sp). I have never used Rainbows but love both Glide and Omni. I DO have to adjust quite a bit for the Glide as its slippery. Maybe set up a practice piece, and teach yourself how to crank the top tension. Have a look at Jamie Wallens YouTube Video on bobbin tension. An ahHA moment for me..good for all makes and models

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q1mRhcquZTM

I looked for a Queen quilter yahoo group and didn't locate one. I find a TinLizzie group. I know there is a machine quilting group for all sizes also. I would search for them on Google or Bing. I was not having luck on Yahoo even when used the right words. When I used a search engine,it popped right up. I had missed a space...sigh

hope this gets you started. I am sorry you are having issues. Just remember, its a learning PROCESS. Everytime you have to fix a tension issue, or whatever, you are learning to trouble shoot the next time. I remember having to look at the book to load a quilt for a YEAR! Now its second nature. Hang in there!

PS I DO have a repairman I could call to make a housecall. He is not with the dealer, but has worked on machines for years. When I got my 1st system, I asked him if he made house calls. I have not needed to call him , but nice to know he is avail....sorry..I'm in Phx

Peckish

There is a Tin Lizzy Yahoo group. I'd join it today.

Also - check out the magazine Machine Quilting Unlimited. See if you can get some back issues from the company, or maybe your library has it. They publish articles in every issue that address things like how to maintain your longarm, how to adjust the tension spring, how to make minor repairs to this or that.... invaluable, in my opinion.

newbee3

Jimmie Wallens has great advice on utube