YOUR OPINION re:"Tin Lizzie" and frames
 

For anyone who has ever used or owned a "Tin Lizzie" what's your opinion or thoughts on the machine? Pros and Cons, what about the dreaded tension issues? I will look forward to your thoughts. Thanks!!! How about frames? Inspira, Grace Majestic, Hintenberg?

I have a Viking Branded Tin Lizzie. It's identical to the Tin Lizzie 18 LS. I really do like this machine. It is very unfussy about thread cotton, cotton poly, metallic all no problems at all. The tension is very easy to set and maintain. I have an inspira frame which I'm less thrilled with. I find it a bit stiff. I can do SITD pretty much without a ruler because the trolly really wants to go N-S or E-W. Large curves and feathers are actually not too bad to do, but I have not been successful with smaller, more detailed quilting like pebbles or micro stippling. I get square pebbles and jagged small stipples because of the stiffness of the frame. Some of it I'm sure is due to lack of practice on my part, but I've been successful on a high end set up at my friend's. Her frame was 3 times the cost of mine, so in some cases, you get what you pay for.
I know that some frame manufacturers offer upgrades to their trolly wheels, but there are none that I'm aware of for the inspira.
If you are not familiar with the working and maintenance of a mechanical sewing machine, you need to have a good dealer that you can rely on. There have been many negative posts on support directly from TL. I can't comment on this because I've never needed to contact them directly, I've either done my own trouble shooting (you mean you really have to follow the threading instructions in the manual?) or my dealer helped over the phone.
I got the set up used from my dealer for a great price and all in all I have been very pleased. I don't do quilting for hire, just for myself, friends and family.

I love my Lizzie! Tension issues are a part of learning to balance the top and bottom threads, takes a while to learn your machine. The only con I have is the weight of the machine. Mine is the older, really heavy model. It's time to take it in for a good cleaning and update ( i've had it for maybe 5 years) but I'll have to get somebody with muscle to help me put it in my car. :thumbup:

I agree-I probably have the same TL as you. Just bought it used this year. Anyone with a LA has to get used to tinkering with things, unlike a domestic machine. But that's a small thing to overcome. I love playing on the TL.

I'm not in love with the wood frame, but the price was right so for pattern boards and pantos, there's no problem. I would like to add a dead bar. Raising that take up roller can be difficult-it gets heavy fast.

I've go with a TL, but if I had an option, I'd choose a better frame.

SewingLadyDI

Annie, I had a bad experience with the TL company and it's machine but not evey one does. Why don't you Google "Tin Lizzie Quilting Machine problems" and also do the same thing on this site. There have been lots of threads both bad and some good.

Go to diffrent dealers, and take them all for a drive. I love my Lizzie, again you just have to learn how to use your tension, LA's are really diffrent from a domastic machine. I have the wood frame, I do not like it! When adjusting the take up bar you have to run back and forth from end to end, not enough cross bracing when set up for king size quilt IMHO. Good luck hope you find the machine that's right for you soon