Thanks Katier and tapper for replying.
Katie,
I've been thinking about the Gidget 2 and wondered if you need to put anything under the PQ1500s to get it up high enough to sit flush with the table, or if the Gidget 2 platform adjusts enough to work. How high is your Juki from the feet at the base of the machine to the needle plate? Is it shorter than most domestic machines like the PQ1500s? Also, what about the location of your bobbin? The PQ1500s is a vertical bobbin located on the end of the machine so I was wondering if there is enough room in the Gidget 2 to get your hand in under the insert to put the bobbin in?
Tapper, I have the Arrow Sewnatra (their smallest cabinet with airlift) and the 1500 will fit in it, but it is awkward for two reasons:
1. The height of the 1500s from the base to the needle plate is 2 and 3/4 inches, most machines are at least 3 and 3/4 inches. This is important when you go to adjust the airlift mechanism to the position where the needle plate sits flush with the table. It can't be adjusted high enough for the PQ1500s to sit flush unless you put something that is about 3/4 to 1 inch thick underneath the PQ1500s. I don't mind doing this--I currently use two different machines in the Sewnatra and one is slightly shorter than the other, so rather than constantly adjusting I set it for the taller one, then use a couple sheets of thick cardboard to raise the shorter one up.
2. The main problem is that the PQ1500s takes up almost the entire platform of the Sewnatra, so it is a little tight to get to the bobbin case without raising the machine up. That's why I was wondering about the other Arrow cabinets. Some of them have a little larger opening.
I would be careful of the Gidget 1 because you might find it very difficult to get to the bobbin without raising the machine up above the table surface.
Thanks,
Rob