I currently own a very old Singer 1191 with a 12' table. This was put together by Gammill about 12-13 years ago and has been stored ever since. It was given to me by a very good friend and now I'm ready to replace it with a longarm. I'm looking at an APQS MIllineum, it's a 2005 model, has an "L" bobbin, not an "M" and I'm thinking the seller will probably take around $9500.00. Is this a good buy? Will I regret not having an "M" size bobbin. What is the yardage difference between an "L" and an "M" bobbin? I'm having a hard time making up my mind. I can get a brand spankin' new HQ 18" Avante, with all the bells and whistles for about $8500. I'm wanting to use it for a small home business and not just for personal use so that's why I was thinking the Milli would be better. Please if anyone can lend some opinions I sure would appreciate it. I'm in a quandry here!

Hi and welcome to the board from Iowa. I am sure someone will come along soon and assist with this decision.

Welcome to the QB!!! You have come to the right
place for all your sewing questions. Sorry, I can't
answer the question you have right now because I
don't do LongArm quilting.

Not trying to sell you on anything, but I love the larger bobbins. Also, I went to MQS in Overland Park KS in May and test drove all of the machines. They have made great advancements in machines in the past few years, so I would advise that you check out ALL the machines and see which one best fits you. There are a lot of different options that you might want to consider. A brand new one might not be as expensive as you might think.

Welcome.
I would go with a larger bobbin. I agree with arkansasquilter, try them out before hand.

I have purchased 2 Gammills and I really love them, so going to a smaller bobbin would be hard. My friend has a Millie, and I see her struggle with the size of her bobbin although she loves her machine also.

Enjoy the process!
Sue

Welcome from Kansas

I opted for the larger bobbins and am glad I did. The downside is that the bobbins are more expensive, but I think it's well worth it.

Welcome from northern California!

Current Gammill Sale price Is $8995 for an 18" machine with a 12 ft table. Includes Stitch regulator and everything you need!

Welcome from Kansas

Get the biggest throated machine you can afford. Nobody cried about not getting an 18" throat when they got a 24", but everybody always says, "I sure wish I had a larger throat". Remember with each roll of the quilt you loose a little bit of that throat space. Yes, I know that a lot of people have 9" inch machines and they do fabulous work with them, but I also know it gets old quick quilting 1 and 1/2 inch across roll, quilt, roll....

I have a 23 inch throat but they didn't come in a larger size until lasst year. I am very happy with my 23 inch throat and it matters not to me that it isn't larger. I did hear gammil is having a great sale right now and you can get new for under 10k..

I have a 23 inch throat but they didn't come in a larger size until lasst year. I am very happy with my 23 inch throat and it matters not to me that it isn't larger. I did hear gammil is having a great sale right now and you can get new for under 10k..

Welcome to the QB. Waving from Texas. Looks like you are getting help already.Gotta love this board.

Welcome!

Hello, and welcome from Michigan!

Hello & Welcome to the board from North Carolina :)

Welcome from Adrian, MI

I just bought a Gammill Vision 18/8 in June with a 10' table (you can also get a 12' table for the same price). The only extras I got were the Starter kit and casters. The total price was $10,099.61 delivered and assembled. I love it. I believe their sale is still going on. It does use the larger size M bobbin. I am quilting as a business.

Can't answer your questions, but hello and welcome to QB, from western Nevada!

I have an Innova with lightning stitch. LOVE it. They have sales sometimes, too. PM me if you want more info.

Welcome from Minnesota and happy quilting :)

Welcome from Houston TX!

welcome from se TX

Welcome from Michigan.:)

Hi from Ms.

Welcome from South Carolina. I have a business and use a Prodigy machine. I love this machine. PM me if you want more information.

WElcome from Michigan. I hope you find the perfect machine for you!

Welcome from NE Ohio.

Welcome from North Central Missouri. Sometime in the future I would love to add a Longarm to my sewing room.

Welcome from Canton, GA. This is a thread I'm very interested in also.

Lot's of help already listed. Good Luck in this endeavor.
Welcome from New York

Hello from Western Mountain Maryland !! :-D

Welcome from North Carolina. I just saw a box of L bobbins for sale on SewItsForSale (a Yahoo group) today.

I have seen Millenniums 2006-2007 M bobbin and 12 foot tables go for $10,000 $11,000. So maybe you can look a round a little more. Also the size bobbin seems to be an important point for many people. I have heard nothing but good things about the Avante. There sure aren't any used ones for sale yet. 18 in. throat seems a bit small to me. Can you afford a Fusion?

Hi and welcome from Victoria,Australia.

Welcome from Ireland

Hello and welcome from Minnesota!

Thanks for all the welcomes. I appreciate all of your opinions and you 've really made me think about which machine to get and why. I have test-driven several different brands but obviously I need to drive a few more. Thanks again, quilting friends!

Welcome from Pa.