Originally Posted by
Belfrybat
I'm a tad confused on what "short bed" or "long bed" means on the 301. Does it mean just the extension table, as I notice some are longer than others, or the length of the harp? Which brings me to another question -- what is the length of the harp on the 301? Thanks.
It means the extension table. If you are going to use this machine without a cabinet, long bed is the way to go, IMHO. It gives you more stability for feeding fabrics and quilting. Unlike machines intended only for cabinets, this machine is finished for portable use; in other words, no protruding stubby legs at the bottom. Short beds are more useful in a cabinet where the cabinet provides the stability. Long beds do not fit in the normal cabinets. I have both, long bed portable and short bed in cabinet. I use both. The short bed in a cabinet is my main piecing machine. (A foot designed for quarter inch with a fence on the right is helpful.) I also use the long bed in a custom-made sewing table where I switch machines in and out, and have a wooden surround so that the machine bed is even with the table.
You need a special cradle made for the 301 to use the short bed in any cabinet (unless custom made). The cradle makes it very easy to get it in and out.
The harp is maybe 7 inches. I do not have it in front of me. I've never had trouble quilting any quilt with it.
Remember that you have to oil the 301 with one drop of sewing machine oil or tri-flow (NOT 3-in-1 or WD40 or anything else) one drop each place metal meets metal for every 8 hours of sewing. See your manual.