How used is "too used"
#1
Super Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: West Bend, WI
Posts: 2,229
How used is "too used"
I am looking to purchase a used Avante longarm with prostitcher and frame.
It is a 2010 with 6million stitches.
How do I know if this is "too used" or not?
Do you think it will still have a good amount of life left, or no?
It is a 2010 with 6million stitches.
How do I know if this is "too used" or not?
Do you think it will still have a good amount of life left, or no?
#2
Super Member
Join Date: Jan 2012
Posts: 4,783
I have no idea if that's high mileage for it's age or not, but what is usually most important is how well it was maintained. Most longarms can run forever with proper maintenance. Did the owner oil the machine regularly as instructed? Did she clean and oil the bobbin race with each bobbin change? Don't ask these questions of her directly. Instead act like you know nothing and ask "What will I have to do to properly maintain this machine?" and see what she says. Find out if how often she quilted. Did she quilt only for herself, or for others as a business? Did she quilt all day, every day? If there were other previous owners, what were their habits? You could also call Avante and pose your question to them. They may know how many stitches a part-time or full-time quilter puts on yearly.
#3
Super Member
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: kansas
Posts: 6,407
I know nothing about an Avante, but bought my Gammill Classic Plus when it was 6 years old and had been heavily used by a professional quilter. She (and her DH) did excellent maintenance on it. I've had a couple of things that required a call to tech support for what eventually we figured out was the electronic board that was causing problems--but I was able to replace and cost less than $50. I would do like JustABitCrazy suggested and contact an Avante dealer and see what they have to say.
#4
Super Member
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Arizona
Posts: 2,355
I have no idea if that's high mileage for it's age or not, but what is usually most important is how well it was maintained. Most longarms can run forever with proper maintenance. Did the owner oil the machine regularly as instructed? Did she clean and oil the bobbin race with each bobbin change? Don't ask these questions of her directly. Instead act like you know nothing and ask "What will I have to do to properly maintain this machine?" and see what she says. Find out if how often she quilted. Did she quilt only for herself, or for others as a business? Did she quilt all day, every day? If there were other previous owners, what were their habits? You could also call Avante and pose your question to them. They may know how many stitches a part-time or full-time quilter puts on yearly.
#7
Power Poster
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Corpus Christi, Tx.
Posts: 16,105
I signed up for classes on a long arm Gammill at a lqs. $50 for 2 hours and then you can rent it for $25.00 an hour after. No one else in town does it so don't have much choice. For me, it'll work and I'll be able to decide if it's something I want to consider purchasing. Don't get to start for a couple weeks yet but at least it got me motivated to work on some piecing. Thing is for $25.00 I quilt it myself. No matter the size. will help me decide if I want to invest in one.
#8
Power Poster
Join Date: May 2009
Location: NY
Posts: 10,590
Handiquilter (the manufacturer of the Avante) also recommends annual servicing by an HQ certified technician. This is usually done by their local dealer/rep so you will also want to ensure that has been done and find out if there is a certified HQ tech in your area to continue doing the annual servicing or if you have to ship it back to Utah for that.
#9
Super Member
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Massachusetts
Posts: 1,097
I signed up for classes on a long arm Gammill at a lqs. $50 for 2 hours and then you can rent it for $25.00 an hour after. No one else in town does it so don't have much choice. For me, it'll work and I'll be able to decide if it's something I want to consider purchasing. Don't get to start for a couple weeks yet but at least it got me motivated to work on some piecing. Thing is for $25.00 I quilt it myself. No matter the size. will help me decide if I want to invest in one.
Have fun with your classes.
#10
Super Member
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Central Iowa
Posts: 2,347
I PURCHASED a used long arm it was real old but I tried it out and got it now it has been 3 years and I love it so my advice to you is try it out and see if you like it first and not worry about the stitches. You know they do very fast stiches anyway.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
bearisgray
General Chit-Chat (non-quilting talk)
65
02-01-2024 09:04 AM
bearisgray
General Chit-Chat (non-quilting talk)
26
08-18-2013 06:59 PM