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I do soooo agree with Tashana. In a perfect world local support would be there. But a good supporting manufacturer is much more important. I recently replaced my 2 yr. old LA because it was defective and my local dealer acknowledged this but the manufacturer would not fix it. One of the board members has a pending court case against that company and they still have not fixed her machine. Bailey's has a wonderful reputation.
I bought a used HQ 16 (slightly older model than the Sweet 16) about a year ago and just LOVE it for large quilts! I have it set up as a "sit-down" and it works great!
As others have said, I'd ask why they are selling it. I think there are lots of good reasons; for instance, the lady I bought from had decided she really wanted to focus her work on small-ish art quilts and didn't need the 16" throat space the HQ 16 offers. I went to her studio to try out the HQ 16 and saw a lot of her work, so I knew that was true.
Be sure to try it out before buy. I did, and was happy with how it performed. Since I'm using it as a sit-down model, it worked very similarly to my DSM, but had much more throat space, and the transition to using it was fairly easy for me. The first thing I did when I got it home was a queen size quilt for my daughter-in-law for Christmas - FMQ Feathers on Purple Passion Quilt--Finished! . I did a couple of practice feathers and then started right in on the quilt!
Here's my posting about how I set it up as a sit-down model using an existing table in my studio, (not the special Sweet 16 table): HQ Sixteen-New to Me!
There were a couple of factors that made me particularly comfortable with purchasing this machine from a Craigslist ad. The first, and most important was that it had originally been purchased from our LQS/Sewing machine shop and had been serviced by them while the original owner had it. The second was that I was able to try it out and felt comfortable with it.
I don't know if you are interested in the new stitch regulator that HQ offers for sit-down HQ 16s, but if you are be sure its compatible with this model. I got to try out the stitch regulator at a quilt expo just a couple of weeks ago in Tucson, and didn't particularly care for it myself. I think it does an OK job, but I've been practicing my FMQ so much that I'm more comfortable with FMQ when I can manually control the stitch speed. One really nice feature that the HQ 16s have is that you can set the maximum stitches per minute at whatever level you are comfortable with for the piece you are working on. I usually start at about 60% or so and adjust from there if I want to.
This machine is relatively easy to use, not nearly as complicated as your Bernina button hole foot! (I have one too, and still have to read the directions for it if it's been awhile since I've used it.) With the Sweet 16 you have an on/off switch, a maximum speed setting, and a foot pedal, and away you go! Threading is essentially just like your DMS, and you have a tension dial for the upper thread, and a screw on the bobbin case, again just like your DSM.
Feel free to PM me if you have additional questions. I'm a happy HQ 16 sit-down owner!
I even tried out some really nice LA machines at the quilt expo, but decided I am quite happly with this setup and not inclined to go bigger at this point.
The price sounds good on this machine, and if it comes with the table, the price is fantastic! Try it out, and see what you think--you'll know if it "speaks to you" or not!
Last edited by azwendyg; 10-11-2012 at 07:43 AM.
Wendy
I purchased a used HQ from a Craigslisting. I went to the home and the owner had it set up and showed me how to use it. It came with the table, bobbins etc. She had it set up with a test quilting piece where she showed me and I tried it out. The owner was upgrading to a newer one. It was a positive experience and I have had a lot of fun with it. I am self taught through videos etc. I am a novice but through our sewing group I quilt our charity quilts which is great practice. You just have to be knowlegable about the product and who you purchase it from.
I sold my HQ16 with ProFrame for $1,500 three weeks ago. I bought it used 7 years ago and quilted almost 400 quilts for Project Linus. The machine is all mechanical and only one oiling point (the bobbin casing area). Not a single problem. As for thread, I used everything from serger thread to industrial....basically whatever I got cheap or free. The trick is to constantly brush out the lint and learn to adjust the tension on both the bobbin and the machine to adapt for the different types of thread. I upgraded to an Avante with ProStitcher. The HQ16's new owner thought my sales price was way low. From my point of view, I wanted it to go to a good home and be a starter machine for sister quilter. I spent 5 hours with her to be sure she was comfortable using the HQ and we played with various weights of thread. The look on her face the first time I twisted the tension knob as tight as it would go was priceless. However, she walked away knowing she couldn't damage anything and tension was no big deal. She did 4 quilt tops in the first week and I got a lovely "thank you for selling the machine to me" email.
I want one!!!!!!
The HQ Sweet 16 is a sweet machine.
Ask why they are selling it. ($2k is a lowball price). I've seen them for $3,800.
Ask what version the software is. If you want to ever use it with the TruStitch regulator, it needs to be at a certain revision.
Ask if it has the regular foot or the open toe foot.
Ask if it includes just the table or if there are extensions.
Ask if the bobbin winder is included and if it is the industrial-looking model of winder.
Ask how many bobbins and what extras (if any) are included.
It requires a special oil and special needles.
BTW, there is a YAHOO group dedicated to HQ Sweet 16 - you may want to join.
Martina
Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Fabric!
The required needles are type DPx5 also known as 135x5 or 135x7 or SY1955. I buy mine from Wawak.com for $2.10 per package of ten. Wawak also has great prices on quilting thread.
Standard sewing machine oil comes with machine and I've seen recommendations of a drop with every bobbin change to every new project.
Barring any mechanical issues with the machine, I would jump on this deal 'like a fly on stink'. Every owner I've seen post (here and on the HQ site) loves their Sweet 16's.
Don't worry about complicated accessories like zipper feet or button hole gadgets. The Sweet 16 doesn't have any of those. It's a single function machine for free motion quilting, and free motion ONLY. It doesn't even have feed dogs! If you know how to free motion quilt (even if you're a beginner) you already know how to use the machine. I've had one for about 2 months and love it.
I have had an HQ 16 for about 6-7 years now, and absolutely love it. I know the Sweet 16 is the bare bones machine, but not really sure what that is anymore. I have a stitch regulator on mine, and never quilt without it. My friend never uses her's, so I think it's really what you become a custom to. I never have tension issues that a few adjustments can't fix, and it runs any kind of thread I have put in it beautifully. (even metallics) HQ has great customer support which counts for a lot in my book. I would ask around to see if there is a repairman in your area. That would be my biggest concern with any machine purchase. Babylock now carries the Jewel, which is made by HQ, so if you have a Babylock dealer nearby, they should be able to repair and maintain it for you.
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