Remember the Bailey machine does not have any feed dogs, so do a quilt sandwich with batting in it. It is recommended that you practice a bit with the machine off the carriage before using the carriage. I had a shortarm which required loose tension probably because the machine did 1500 stitches per minute. Bailey is really the opposite since it does 700 stitches per minute. Go with the top and bottom tensions as done already on the machine when you first got it. You can experiment later, especially when you try different threads at different weights. I love the SR...there are instructions on setting a minimum stitching speed. That didn't work for me and I chose to get out of that option. You can set the dial as to the length you want. Since it does 700 stitches, it is probably better not to stitch so fast. Do go over the posts in the Bailey forum....lots of good information there! The thread may whip off the spool too fast and get wrapped around the lever, etc. I put three 3M cord organizers in such a way the thread has to travel a zigzag path and it works great! The O-rings may break off the take up lever...they did for me....DH cut a piece of plastic tubing and slid it over the lever all the way to the back of the lever, still leaving the hole open for the thread to come through. I just finished my third quilt on it, and I am happy with my Bailey. Do feel free to PM if you have any questions or concerns.

I have a Gammill LA, and I leave my stitch regulator on all the time...I find it makes my job easier. Set yours up and do a few practice pieces both ways to find out what you like the best...and good luck!

Wow, you all are SO much help. I appreciate all of you who have offered suggestions. Today I worked on getting the space around the frame in order so that I could move around it. I think I will jump in there tomorrow and get my feet wet! I will keep you all posted although I may not get a lot of time to play until the holiday is over.

I am ordering one as we speak
I joined the Bailey Forum and they have a lot of great info

http://bhqbaileyhomequilter.proboards.com/index.cgi

I was also able to test drive one that belonged to a lady on the forum and I was sold!!

lowjane,
Let me know how it goes. I am just now getting to spend time with mine. Needless to say, I am far from a pro so far!

Look up Longarm University online. They have online classes and send you a DVD of the class as well. I used them alot at first.