Yarn or Fabric

longarmlizzie I'm sorry to hear that you've had such horrible issues. I tell you what tension is a nightmare on any longarm. I've learned the hard way that you have to be part machine mechanic when you own your own big machine. They are finicky at best but once you learn to get along they're great.

I had horrific tension issues. Every single bobbin I wound while I was quilting turned out to be totally different from the last. I heard about Glide thread and tried it and have not looked back. I don't need to readjust tension even when changing colors up or down. It's awesome stuff. I use a 16 needle with it and it works brilliantly for me.

Have you seen Jamie Wallen's tension video? It saved me from seeing if my machine could fly from the second story window... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q1mRhcquZTM

I would also suggest joining the Tin Lizzie yahoo group. They're really helpful. Next time before sending your machine in to be fixed you might want to ask them. Most of the stuff that can be tweaked in a shop can be tweaked at home. Resetting your timing is easy once you make friends with it. It took me a long time the first time but now I can do it in minutes.

Sharue

I have had a tin lizzie 18 sit down for 2 years. I've gotten brave enough to try feathers and find that when I go backwards the stitches are loose on the top side. Do you have any hint?s

Kani

Thank you all for your input. I just purchased a Tin Lizzie and was just about to regret it after reading past posts. Seemed so many had problems with them and a lot of people were complaining.
I have learned that long arms aren't the only ones that have bobbin issues. Midarms do too. You just have to keep playing with it until you get it set. Or at least I did.

milly35

I was at a quilt show over the weekend and test drove a Tin Lizzie 18ESP. I do not have any experience on a mid / long arm machine so I really do not have anything to compare it too. However I have been doing research and I have not been able to find much on the Tin Lizzie and when I do it seems that many owners have had poor experience with customer service. I am interested in the machine as what you get for the money does seem to be the same as with an HQ but I am hesitant to take the leap with some of the past posts I have seen.

curlysue1952

I just bought a used tin lizzie18. how far up the oil dipstick should the oil come?

Gay

I didn't think there was supposed to be oil on the dipstick, just have to give a drop or two after each quilt done, that works for me. Maybe it keeps threads & fluff out of the workings. I remember something about not giving too much oil. Someone else may chime in with better info than I have.

Still Sew N

I have the Janome Artistic SD 18 which I've been told (from Janome), it is the same as a Tin Lizzie. I've owned for almost 6 years. I am very happy with this machine. In the beginning, I had tension issues. But I was referred to a Jamie Wallen Tension on YouTube and got right with great tension. I keep it clean, oil it regularly and change the needle after every quilt. Another great asset was using Glide Thread. It really seemed to make a difference and virtually no lint. The other recommendation I would make is to get a separate bobbin winder. I wore down the "friction ring" and although I was able to replace the ring, I noticed the shavings from the ring drop down in the base of the machine, going past the electric eye of the on/off switch, up/down needle panel. I just didn't want any issues with that part of the machine not working! I hope you enjoy your machine as much as I have enjoyed mine.

granky

I have the Queen Quilter 18 sit down model and love it! Mine is not computerized, so is equivalent to the Featherweights as far as maintenance goes. There is lots of info on the web on what to do when having a problem. I've had this machine for five plus years, and wouldn't give it up!

donna13350

I have the original Tin Lizzie, and love it. There is a learning curve with any longarm, but with mine I like it because it's a basic straightforward machine. My owners manual says "oil should be present on the dipstick"...if not add a few drops.All I've ever done is pull it up, wipe it off, dip it again and then look to see if there's oil on it.