What is the best most inexpensive longarm???
07-19-2010, 07:52 AM
#11
Super Member
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Alabama
Posts: 3,371
Too bad you don't live closer to me - A woman is selling her Kenquilt on Craigslist...
http://huntsville.craigslist.org/art/1838944982.html
I have a Bailey on a Proflex frame with a PCQ robotic quilter... I know, I know. I need to use it now!! You guys probably think I'm nuts! I'm getting the bravery up though!
http://huntsville.craigslist.org/art/1838944982.html
I have a Bailey on a Proflex frame with a PCQ robotic quilter... I know, I know. I need to use it now!! You guys probably think I'm nuts! I'm getting the bravery up though!
07-19-2010, 09:02 AM
#13
Power Poster
Join Date: May 2009
Location: NY
Posts: 10,590
CJCowl and CJtinkle both have excellent advice.
I just recently purchased an ABM Innova 26". I am very fortunate that the dealer is only about 50 to 60 miles away. It was only installed last Sunday so I have not had a lot of time on it and have had no occasion to need tech support. I had the luxury of the dealer coming to set it all up for me. I know that would have been nightmarish for me to do on my own even with DH help. What took the dealer a couple of hours would have taken us days. The dealer then gave me a quick crash course for loading quilt top backing and batting, threading the machine, adjusting tension, changing bobbin, oiling and cleaning bobbin area, advancing and backing up the quilt on the poles, playing with templates and pantos. A good dealer is worth their weight in gold.
The innova is built to commercial specs but priced about the same as an HQ. They have a very easy quick learning curve and no need to adjust height on the take up pole. They only need to be oiled in the bobbin race area. So they are very user friendly machines. They are available in 18" and 26" and I believe they just came out with a size in between, I think 22" but not positive. Even so the 18" plus frame and stitch regulator will still run you darn close to $10K when you figure in any applicable sales tax and shipping from the factory in Texas.
All reviews I could find on this machine are positive. ABM has 24-7 tech support on the phone. I love my new machine and can't wait to really put it through its paces.
I just recently purchased an ABM Innova 26". I am very fortunate that the dealer is only about 50 to 60 miles away. It was only installed last Sunday so I have not had a lot of time on it and have had no occasion to need tech support. I had the luxury of the dealer coming to set it all up for me. I know that would have been nightmarish for me to do on my own even with DH help. What took the dealer a couple of hours would have taken us days. The dealer then gave me a quick crash course for loading quilt top backing and batting, threading the machine, adjusting tension, changing bobbin, oiling and cleaning bobbin area, advancing and backing up the quilt on the poles, playing with templates and pantos. A good dealer is worth their weight in gold.
The innova is built to commercial specs but priced about the same as an HQ. They have a very easy quick learning curve and no need to adjust height on the take up pole. They only need to be oiled in the bobbin race area. So they are very user friendly machines. They are available in 18" and 26" and I believe they just came out with a size in between, I think 22" but not positive. Even so the 18" plus frame and stitch regulator will still run you darn close to $10K when you figure in any applicable sales tax and shipping from the factory in Texas.
All reviews I could find on this machine are positive. ABM has 24-7 tech support on the phone. I love my new machine and can't wait to really put it through its paces.
07-19-2010, 09:24 AM
#14
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Myrtle Beach, SC
Posts: 709
I belielve Bailey's is made out of country and I was told that the quality is poor for this machine. Inexpensive, but you get what you pay for.
When I was looking for a machine, I was told that the Janome MC6600 Sewing and Quilting machine can also be put on a contraption to use on a frame. I saw this in a quilt shop when I was in the New Port Richey areas. I can get the name of the shop if you want to inquire about it. The frame goes up to 12'. It was something I was thinking about since I could use the same machine to make my tops, then quilt it once I hooked it up the the frame allowing me to save on buying a second machine. Now if you are going to quilt a lot, then it might pay for you to get a new long arm and frame.
I got my machine in Lake City at Fabric Arts Shop. The owner wasn't aware that my Janome can be put on a frame. Odd.
I guess this site would be one of the best places to ask. Also, call quilt shops and ask the people who use long arms. Some may have old machines, others will have the new fancy stuff. Depends on how much you want to spend.
When I was looking for a machine, I was told that the Janome MC6600 Sewing and Quilting machine can also be put on a contraption to use on a frame. I saw this in a quilt shop when I was in the New Port Richey areas. I can get the name of the shop if you want to inquire about it. The frame goes up to 12'. It was something I was thinking about since I could use the same machine to make my tops, then quilt it once I hooked it up the the frame allowing me to save on buying a second machine. Now if you are going to quilt a lot, then it might pay for you to get a new long arm and frame.
I got my machine in Lake City at Fabric Arts Shop. The owner wasn't aware that my Janome can be put on a frame. Odd.
I guess this site would be one of the best places to ask. Also, call quilt shops and ask the people who use long arms. Some may have old machines, others will have the new fancy stuff. Depends on how much you want to spend.
07-19-2010, 09:28 AM
#16
Super Member
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Alabama
Posts: 3,371
The Bailey is made in New York.
There is a yahoogroup devoted to the Bailey. Before I got my machines I joined several of the yahoo groups and out of the Voyager, Bailey and the Wow stretched, the Voyager and the Bailey had the least amount of complaints and it seemed that the people that were selling the Bailies were only doing so to get the next size up (it comes in a 17" now too) It looks like a nice machine.
I had a Voyager for a little bit and it is a beast. It is really really REALLY heavy. I didn't like the way it felt on my frame and thought that I would get wrist fatigue quickly. I sold it and have not looked back. I wish I could afford a higher end machine but even $4000 was more than my machine budget was - and I really wanted the pcq so I could have perfect quilts from the get go...
I think you guys are inspiring me to get off my butt and use my frame already lol.
There is a yahoogroup devoted to the Bailey. Before I got my machines I joined several of the yahoo groups and out of the Voyager, Bailey and the Wow stretched, the Voyager and the Bailey had the least amount of complaints and it seemed that the people that were selling the Bailies were only doing so to get the next size up (it comes in a 17" now too) It looks like a nice machine.
I had a Voyager for a little bit and it is a beast. It is really really REALLY heavy. I didn't like the way it felt on my frame and thought that I would get wrist fatigue quickly. I sold it and have not looked back. I wish I could afford a higher end machine but even $4000 was more than my machine budget was - and I really wanted the pcq so I could have perfect quilts from the get go...
I think you guys are inspiring me to get off my butt and use my frame already lol.
07-19-2010, 09:44 AM
#17
Super Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Ashdown, AR
Posts: 9,238
Originally Posted by grammyp
DH bought me a Voyager 17 and frame last year for Christmas. So far I love it. It may not be the cheapest, but it does what I need it to do. He did splurge and get the stitch regulator, for which I am so grateful.
http://www.hinterberg.com/Voyager.aspx
http://www.hinterberg.com/Voyager.aspx
07-19-2010, 09:47 AM
#18
Super Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Ashdown, AR
Posts: 9,238
Originally Posted by Yarn or Fabric
The Bailey is made in New York.
There is a yahoogroup devoted to the Bailey. Before I got my machines I joined several of the yahoo groups and out of the Voyager, Bailey and the Wow stretched, the Voyager and the Bailey had the least amount of complaints and it seemed that the people that were selling the Bailies were only doing so to get the next size up (it comes in a 17" now too) It looks like a nice machine.
I had a Voyager for a little bit and it is a beast. It is really really REALLY heavy. I didn't like the way it felt on my frame and thought that I would get wrist fatigue quickly. I sold it and have not looked back. I wish I could afford a higher end machine but even $4000 was more than my machine budget was - and I really wanted the pcq so I could have perfect quilts from the get go...
I think you guys are inspiring me to get off my butt and use my frame already lol.
There is a yahoogroup devoted to the Bailey. Before I got my machines I joined several of the yahoo groups and out of the Voyager, Bailey and the Wow stretched, the Voyager and the Bailey had the least amount of complaints and it seemed that the people that were selling the Bailies were only doing so to get the next size up (it comes in a 17" now too) It looks like a nice machine.
I had a Voyager for a little bit and it is a beast. It is really really REALLY heavy. I didn't like the way it felt on my frame and thought that I would get wrist fatigue quickly. I sold it and have not looked back. I wish I could afford a higher end machine but even $4000 was more than my machine budget was - and I really wanted the pcq so I could have perfect quilts from the get go...
I think you guys are inspiring me to get off my butt and use my frame already lol.
07-19-2010, 09:51 AM
#19
Super Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Ashdown, AR
Posts: 9,238
I did look at the Gammill on line. A little more than I wanted to spend but they are good aren't they? I want to know what everybody thinks about each one because I have never heard of some of these yall have mentioned.
My next question is: About the sewing machines that you can quilt on. How much trouble are they and will they do the job nicely that a long arm can do? I've never even seen anyone machine quilt so maybe there is a tutorial somewhere?
My next question is: About the sewing machines that you can quilt on. How much trouble are they and will they do the job nicely that a long arm can do? I've never even seen anyone machine quilt so maybe there is a tutorial somewhere?
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