making the sandwich.
 

a few months ago I bought, for a real bargain, an older wooden model Grace Z44 quilting frame ($65). It had A
always been a real chore for me to layer large bed sized quilts. I use this quilt frame to layer and baste my larger sized quilts. It is so much easier than the floor or tables put together, etc. Haven't actually quilted on the frame yet, but that will come. I just primarily wanted to try using it for the layering and basting since I do more machine quilting than hand quilting. Love hand quilting, but it just tears up my fingers.

What a bargain! I think they generally sell for over $600. You must really be a happy camper now.

What a bargain! Good for you. how long does it take , now, to baste a , say, queen size quilt, compared to by hand?

Jane Quilter, I believe she is still hand basting, just using the frame to hold the layers together for her.
I recently machine basted a quilt for a friend on a longarm, about a 3" grid allover, and it took me 6 hours. That quilt was 86.5" x 74.5".

I started to use two sawhorse and some 1x2 to do my basting and then I found it was easier and more fun to go to my LQS to pin baste my larger quilts. It sounds like you found something that will work great for you!