Advice Regarding Purchase of 14 Year Old Long Arm
 

I have an opportunity to purchase a 14 year old APQS machine...I just wanted some advice as to what might go wrong with a machine that old and what to look out for. For the price I'd get a lot more space (22 inch throat space and 14 foot frame) and machine than what I can afford new, and this would be a starter machine for me - my first long arm. It seems to be from someone who took good care of it but I guess you can never really know until you get it home and use it a bit and see if it has any issues. I'll be testing it out a bit before I buy but it's a two hour drive to get to the machine so it's not as if I could go and test it then come home and sleep on it.

I'd be grateful for any advice!

I think longarms have made major improvements in the last 14 years. However, so have sewing machines, and yet many people love to sew on their vintage machines. APQS has always been a quality longarm, but you may find that the older machine doesn't have some of the features you would like, or that it is harder to maintain than a newer one. Still, if it's a great price...

For a major purchase, why can't you drive 2 hours, test the machine out as much as possible (take the materials to test it on), and then drive home and sleep on it if you're not sure? When we purchased my longarm, we first drove over 6 hours to see it, then drove home and thought about it, called up the dealer and arranged the purchase, for which we drove back, spent several days getting trained, and then drove home with the longarm in our pickup (poles hanging out the back!) (I realize driving 2 hours in Ohio may be more difficult in the winter.)

Well, my concern is that I have three small children but you're right, I will talk to the Husband and maybe that's something we better do. Scheduling will be difficult but it's a lot better than wasting thousands of dollars.

This machine doesn't have some of the modern features I'd like but what it does have is space...and that is huge!! Next to a good stitch and maneuverability it's my biggest want.

Thanks so much for your feedback!

Anything this old would have to be a GOOD PRICE. Just look at cars. You drive them off the lot and they have depreciated a lot. i wouldn't pay very much. You can get a good new one and pay it out with all the bells and whistles. JMHO

Ask for some advice from the APQS forum. They have a great community over there. If the model is an Ultimate II, it won't have many bells and whistles, but they are workhorses and I would buy one in a heartbeat if the price was reasonable.
I'm very excited to see what you find out! :-) Laura

Has the machine been used much- for a business or personal use? Has it been recently serviced? Does it have the original wheels? ( My machine is getting old and it needs new wheels) Any work that needs to be done is expensive!
I would keep looking for something newer. Good luck with your search.