margecam52

Theresa
Did you try loosening the poles, and turning them slightly, as the group suggested? It may help. Did you put a drop of oil on the wheels? I think I suggested that in an email to you. Did you get the info I posted (I also think I may have emailed it to you) on how to adjust the bobbin & top tensions.

By leveling the bars...are you talking about leveling the frame as a whole, or adjusting the height of the belly and take up bars?

If I recall correctly, we have the same machine. If you know the exact area that the skips are happening in, put a dot on the side of your encoders (I think we mentioned this also), near the edge...roll the machine (turned of, or not stitching) slowly along and see if that dot stops moving anywhere. If it does...that's the issue.
Also, I mentioned to you (or someone on group) to check all the bolts/screws in the frame...especially those holding the poles...if they become loose (they can over time)...the wood bracket holding the pole will separate from the frame & the pole will drop a tiny bit in that area. Check them.... make sure the entire frame (including the carriages) are level in all directions.

Try one size larger needle. I get mine on ebay from either Sharp Sewing or NgoSew (both are ebay shops)...I use a 21.

Did you ever post whether the machine skips in manual mode? Does it? Did you ever tell us if the machine is skipping stitches, or just not picking up the bobbin thread?
If it's skipping, or giving long stitches, there won't be any holes under the long stitches. If there are holes under the long stitches...then the needle is not picking up the bobbin thread...this would be a needle/timing issue.

Get a hold of the company. Even if you are out of warranty...they will help troubleshoot your issues. Their customer service has improved over the past 6 years.

Go to the tinlizzie18.com website and register your machine (if you haven't already). This is not so they can tell you it's out of warranty...it's so they have the model number off the side of the machine, and when and where you got it....even if you got it used. It let's them pull up information on machines from the same time and see if any others had the same issues.

If you can answer the above questions, we can better help you. NO, I am not employed by TL company, I'm a happy TL18LS w/qbot v3 owner. My 2009 TL has had issues in the past...99% or more are user error...but I have worked through them all....well most of them, lol.

These are NOT your home sewing machines on a frame. They are computerized, and there is also a chip in each encoder. Did you see the post where I explained how the encoders to machine to needle works? This is one thing I'm still guilty of...moving the machine faster than the encoders to machine to needle can compute. Especially on corners...if you quilt a square (I also do 5 point stars like we made in school)...at each point, make sure to say "dot" and let the machine take an extra stitch before you change directions (got this from a professional quilter's youtube video). Going around curves...also slow down there.

I really feel that folks should use the manual stitch until they have full control of the machine...it takes practice in manual mode to get nice even stitches (in manual mode, the needle moves as soon as you hit the start button...and stitch length is determined by how fast/slow you move the machine). In regulated (LizzieStitch) mode.. when you hit the start button, the machine does not stitch until you move the machine.

Have you tried the computer mode? Hold down the LizzieStitch button and keep it down while you turn on the machine...you will hear two beeps and then a long beep (well long until you let go of the LS button). With the computer mode...when you hit the start button, the needle will start to move up and down slowly...and will start the regulated stitch length stitching when you move the machine. I use this mode whether I am using the Qbot robot quilter or not. I like that it gives me time to think or adjust my fingers out of the way without having to hit the stop button. It will also let you take tiny stitches to lock the start & stops.

Oh...you said you scrubbed the poles with a scrubbie...did you wipe them down after? I also spray some furniture polish (Behold or even the cheap brands) onto a cloth & wipe the poles down after using the scrubbie.

Lastly...try taking two or three pennies...and tape them to the arm of the encoders...it may help if your poles are sagging in an area.

I really hope this helps

Marge Campbell
TinLizzieLongarm Yahoo group moderator
TL18LS (2009 model) Wood frame
Qbot V3 robot