Insight table for Sweet Sixteen
05-29-2021, 10:15 AM
#1
Super Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Va.
Posts: 5,753
Insight table for Sweet Sixteen
Someone (maybe Polyparrot) asked about the Insight table for the Sweet Sixteen. Mine arrived yesterday and I set it up and have been playing with it on a big quilt I’m FMQing. Here are my thoughts so far :
It’s a pain to put together because of its weight and the fact that you have to make adjustments to the height of the platform that holds the Sweet Sixteen. This is done after putting the machine into the table using a wedge (which is supplied) to hold up the platform as you level it up. The levelling requires you to get under the table and use the included allen wrench tighten up the platform once you get the height just right. It would have been easier if they had supplied two wedges because every change made to the back affects what’s happening at the front and vice versa. This means multiple trips back and forth under the table adjusting etc. Two wedges would have allowed it to all be done in one go. If you don’t get it right there will be excessive vibration when stitching at high speeds, so it isn’t something you want to forgo.
Once you get it together, the table is quite sturdy and the stitch regulation is much less finicky than with the old True Stitch module because there is nothing to get in the way when quilting. I had been playing with True Stitch for a couple of months so have been able to avoid the worst of the learning curves most folks have when they begin using stitch regulation after years of fmq without.
The person who asked about stitch quality: On this particular quilt I have been working with my stitches set to between 11 and 12 per inch and they look good. I haven’t tried lengthening to 8 or 9, so can’t report on that yet, but I have no reason to think they won’t also look good.
As with the True Stitch, I prefer the cruise mode over the precision mode. Cruise mode is when the needle keeps stitching when you stop moving the fabric so it is good for designs where you want those nice sharp points. Depending on whether I am using rulers or just freehanding it I will change the speed at which the needle stitches when the fabric isn’t moving. This will also change based on whether I’m doing micro quilting and fills versus larger motifs. One of the things that is handy about this is that you can set the “cruise speed” of the needle as fast or slow as you want it, which means you can control at what point the stitch regulator kicks in- very handy for freehand work- essentially, this means that the stitch regulator only comes on when you need it to to keep your stitches even. The rest of the time it feels just like when you are fmq without the regulator- which a lot of folks prefer to do.
Hope that helps answer some questions.
Rob
It’s a pain to put together because of its weight and the fact that you have to make adjustments to the height of the platform that holds the Sweet Sixteen. This is done after putting the machine into the table using a wedge (which is supplied) to hold up the platform as you level it up. The levelling requires you to get under the table and use the included allen wrench tighten up the platform once you get the height just right. It would have been easier if they had supplied two wedges because every change made to the back affects what’s happening at the front and vice versa. This means multiple trips back and forth under the table adjusting etc. Two wedges would have allowed it to all be done in one go. If you don’t get it right there will be excessive vibration when stitching at high speeds, so it isn’t something you want to forgo.
Once you get it together, the table is quite sturdy and the stitch regulation is much less finicky than with the old True Stitch module because there is nothing to get in the way when quilting. I had been playing with True Stitch for a couple of months so have been able to avoid the worst of the learning curves most folks have when they begin using stitch regulation after years of fmq without.
The person who asked about stitch quality: On this particular quilt I have been working with my stitches set to between 11 and 12 per inch and they look good. I haven’t tried lengthening to 8 or 9, so can’t report on that yet, but I have no reason to think they won’t also look good.
As with the True Stitch, I prefer the cruise mode over the precision mode. Cruise mode is when the needle keeps stitching when you stop moving the fabric so it is good for designs where you want those nice sharp points. Depending on whether I am using rulers or just freehanding it I will change the speed at which the needle stitches when the fabric isn’t moving. This will also change based on whether I’m doing micro quilting and fills versus larger motifs. One of the things that is handy about this is that you can set the “cruise speed” of the needle as fast or slow as you want it, which means you can control at what point the stitch regulator kicks in- very handy for freehand work- essentially, this means that the stitch regulator only comes on when you need it to to keep your stitches even. The rest of the time it feels just like when you are fmq without the regulator- which a lot of folks prefer to do.
Hope that helps answer some questions.
Rob
02-22-2024, 05:59 AM
#2
Member
Join Date: Feb 2024
Location: Montana
Posts: 1
What c-pod or display version?
Hi! I am curious about which c-pod and display versions you have on your HQ S16. I have c-pod board 2.0 and firmware 3.18 with display 3.09. I bought it used from a quilter that took good care of it but finally switched to long arm in frame. I bought the insight table with the stitch regulator. My regulator can't seem to tell the difference between cruise control and precision and I still have to press the pedal down the entire time. I wonder if it really works for that firmware version even though HQ said it would.
02-22-2024, 06:33 AM
#3
Power Poster
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: Central Ohio
Posts: 15,236
Hi! I am curious about which c-pod and display versions you have on your HQ S16. I have c-pod board 2.0 and firmware 3.18 with display 3.09. I bought it used from a quilter that took good care of it but finally switched to long arm in frame. I bought the insight table with the stitch regulator. My regulator can't seem to tell the difference between cruise control and precision and I still have to press the pedal down the entire time. I wonder if it really works for that firmware version even though HQ said it would.
I would redo your post and make it into a new post. The above was from several years ago and people may not see yours.
