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Pfaff Grand Quilter and NG Frame...Venting!!!!

Pfaff Grand Quilter and NG Frame...Venting!!!!

Old 01-05-2011, 09:01 PM
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So, I bit the bullet.
I found a New Generation frame on Craigs list for Cheap. It was in fantastic condition...really great. Like the frame...
After getting it home...realized that I don't want to put one of my machines on it and it needs a 9inch mid arm dedicated machine. I find a Brother locally but was sold out from under me. So I ordered a Pfaff Grand Quilter 1200. Great Price!!!
I am having a dickens of a time to get this thing to quilt more than 4 or 5 inches at a time.
I did a search here, I did the trouble shooting on the Pfaff and NG home sites...I am so ready to throw this out a window.
I knew Pfaffs were finickey, but this takes the cake!!!I'm hating this right now...and I need to vent.
But, as little as I have gotten to FMQ with this, it is SO COOL!!! I really want to explore this and LA more!
Thanks,
Kirsten
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Old 01-05-2011, 09:13 PM
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so sorry better luck next time you try
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Old 01-06-2011, 02:23 AM
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Loosen tension and slow down...... What happens is you move to fast, the needle hits the hook and your thread snaps. Just like with FMQ on the domestic the rule is: fast machine slow hands.

Good luck and keep at it. After you master your beast you will wonder what the fuss was all about.
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Old 01-06-2011, 02:36 AM
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I don't agree with the statement "Just like with FMQ on the domestic the rule is: fast machine slow hands". There must be a balance between the speed of the machine and the movement of the hands to produce even consistant stitches. . fast machine and slow hands make little bitty stitches. Some quilters do well with fast machines but it has been my experience with many students that fast machines loose control and produce wonky stitching.
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Old 01-06-2011, 03:10 AM
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I have a Pfaff Grand Quilter but not on a frame. I have found it is a bit fussy with the type of thread you use, you must have the same in bobbin as well and it is happier with pure cotton thread, however it has taken a bit of trial and error and patience to get the best out of it. There is a Grand Quilter yahoo group that may be of some help to you, I think you will be happy if you persevere.
Good luck!
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Old 01-06-2011, 08:52 AM
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Make certain you are using the correct needle and it is properly sized for the thread being used. The Pfaff GQ 1200 and it's siblings (Viking MegaQuilter and Janome 1600P, all made by Janome) use special high-speed needles. They're labeled HLx5.

If the top thread is breaking, you may want to reduce the number of holes being used in the 3-hole pretensioner. With Gutterman 100% cotton, I use only 2 holes. But with other threads you may need to use only 1 hole. And be sure to use good quality thread.

Also, you may want to set the speed slider to the middle setting, which lowers the top speed of the machine. These machines are capable of running twice as fast as our normal domestic sewing machines at 1,600 stitches per minute.
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Old 01-06-2011, 09:01 AM
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My guild has that machine on a frame. One of the members discovered it is happier with pre-wound bobbins. You have to go slower than you think with this machine or the thread breaks.
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Old 01-06-2011, 09:18 AM
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Thanks to all of the great suggestions.
I will try it for a bit later today!
I am using the HLx5 90/14 needles and King Tut thread!
Slowed it down.
Kirsten
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Old 01-06-2011, 05:57 PM
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Originally Posted by ScubaK
Thanks to all of the great suggestions.
I will try it for a bit later today!
I am using the HLx5 90/14 needles and King Tut thread!
Slowed it down.
Kirsten
How did you get King Tut thread through a size 14 needle? I have a size 16 on my quilter now and can't get King Tut through it. Definitely try a larger eye needle, loosen the top tension, and you might use fewer holes on the pre-tension bar. It might take a combination of several things to get the results you're looking for. If you're breaking King Tut thread, though, I would definitely be looking at needle size & tension first.
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Old 01-07-2011, 07:13 AM
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I have a Brother 1500s on a Gracy frame. Had the same issue. Called the store where I got the machine from and he advised me to make sure the rods the fabric is rolled on are not too high. They were. I lowered the rods till I could see the flat of the machine outlined on the fabric of the quilt, just lower than level, and it was smooth sewing.
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