What is the best most inexpensive longarm???
07-20-2010, 08:20 AM
#51
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: NW Arkansas
Posts: 984
As a "short (mid) arm" machine quilter, it would be worthwhile to
rent a UHaul and get the Kenquilt at $1500 as a starter machine.
You can then decide after doing lots of projects on this type,
if you want to invest in a Long Arm. It will at least help you develop
initial skills of loading quilts, buying supplies, adjusting tensions,
and solving other minor problems... plus finding out if there is a
market in your area to warrant a Long Arm .
rent a UHaul and get the Kenquilt at $1500 as a starter machine.
You can then decide after doing lots of projects on this type,
if you want to invest in a Long Arm. It will at least help you develop
initial skills of loading quilts, buying supplies, adjusting tensions,
and solving other minor problems... plus finding out if there is a
market in your area to warrant a Long Arm .
07-20-2010, 09:20 AM
#52
Super Member
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Lake Wales, FL, USA
Posts: 1,554
Originally Posted by #1piecemaker
My friend has this old long arm machine that we have been trying to get adjusted. Neither one of us know what we are doing. She bought it from someone else and didn't ask any questions. She said we had to change the oil in it. We had to literally pick the machine up off it's base and pour the oil in to the fill line. Are all of them like that or is there an easier way. Her machine was very heavy and it took both of us to do it? And how often does that have to be done under normal use?
07-20-2010, 09:24 AM
#53
Super Member
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Lake Wales, FL, USA
Posts: 1,554
Originally Posted by qultnmama
Not sure. I have the Hobby Quilter by Nolting but not the stitch regulator.
Where can I find one for around $500 - $700?
Where can I find one for around $500 - $700?
07-20-2010, 09:42 AM
#54
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Junction City, OR
Posts: 484
I have a Tin Lizzie 18LS. It has the stitch regulator. My dealer is many hours away. She does a good job with answering questions and sending replacement parts. Having a dealer close to you is a big plus however. There's a big learning curve with a longarm. Taking LA classes would be SOooo helpful.
Lastly, buy the best you can afford. As in many things, the more expensive item may be the best built. I do enjoy my TinLizzie. But, after 2 years, there is still much to learn.
Keep us informed as to what you decide to buy.
Cynthia
Lastly, buy the best you can afford. As in many things, the more expensive item may be the best built. I do enjoy my TinLizzie. But, after 2 years, there is still much to learn.
Keep us informed as to what you decide to buy.
Cynthia
The TinLizzie18LS when I first bought it
[ATTACH=CONFIG]73654[/ATTACH]
07-20-2010, 09:58 AM
#55
Super Member
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: New England, USA
Posts: 2,963
I looked at lots of machines before I purchased a used Voyager 17 from a gal on this board. They were all very nice machines - each had good points and short fallings (I could not justify the amount that a Gammil would cost as a starter machine). We brought it home (yes it weighs a lot), took the rails and cleaned and polished them with steelwool, leveled the frame and installed the machine.
It works like a charm, moves smoothly (I do not find it heavy to sew on at all) and the whole setup (machine, frame, regulator, Fat Foot, needles, loads of bobbins and a bobbin winder) was well under 4K. Is that a lot? yes - but not as much as a new longarm or midarm machine with the same bells and whistles.. I love it a lot. Works beautifully, AND if you have questions or need help - the folks at Voyager are fantastic. I am getting the hang of it by donating my "learning time" for Linus Quilts and some charity quilts for the guild.
Now - the only thing that I do not care for on the Voyager is the L-Class bobbin which holds less thread than some of the other machines which have a M-Class.
As with purchasing any machine - take all these recommendations and go play on machines near by. My DH is remarkably handy and can even fix a rainy day occasionally so I did not worry about local service but that might also be a part of your decision making process when choosing a machine.
Good luck! and let us know when you take the plunge!! :thumbup:
It works like a charm, moves smoothly (I do not find it heavy to sew on at all) and the whole setup (machine, frame, regulator, Fat Foot, needles, loads of bobbins and a bobbin winder) was well under 4K. Is that a lot? yes - but not as much as a new longarm or midarm machine with the same bells and whistles.. I love it a lot. Works beautifully, AND if you have questions or need help - the folks at Voyager are fantastic. I am getting the hang of it by donating my "learning time" for Linus Quilts and some charity quilts for the guild.
Now - the only thing that I do not care for on the Voyager is the L-Class bobbin which holds less thread than some of the other machines which have a M-Class.
As with purchasing any machine - take all these recommendations and go play on machines near by. My DH is remarkably handy and can even fix a rainy day occasionally so I did not worry about local service but that might also be a part of your decision making process when choosing a machine.
Good luck! and let us know when you take the plunge!! :thumbup:
07-20-2010, 11:47 AM
#57
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: WV
Posts: 690
I Bought a Bailey 15 in April..have it on a Minni Penn frame..It does a wonderful Job!...don't have the stitch regulater..but, doing OK with out it....i was really hesitant on buying it, all the girls on the Baily forum gave it all a thumbs up..and its a great machine..Chuck Bailey is really nice and will answer any questions..and there from Ny...
07-20-2010, 01:35 PM
#59
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Northern Virginia
Posts: 506
I love the Bailey. It is the most affordable that I could find and now comes in a 17" throat and works great. Some have even adapted it to the computer software that is available. There is a yahoo group, sign up and check them out. Chuck, at Bailey in NY, is great to talk with as well.
07-20-2010, 02:23 PM
#60
Super Member
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Michigan
Posts: 3,601
Originally Posted by franie
If you think New York is out of the country, try Alaska! We are the step child!
Yeah sometimes I feel like New York is out of the country!
:lol: :lol:
Originally Posted by feline fanatic
Originally Posted by Bubblegum0077
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.
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:lol: :lol:
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