AliKat

The HQ 16 sitdown model is great. I know of several people who have already traded up ... so there are some used models out there in great condition.

ali

BKrenning

I don't know. I saw a web-site somewhere about that model that said they were packaging it up for an in the table quilting machine with foot pedal but it wasn't clear if they were really talking about that model or a different one. I would definitely call one of the shops that sell it and ask.

5,000 rpm really isn't out of the range for the more industrial type sewing/quilting heads. My Voyager will go that fast at it's top speed but I never crank it up that high. I can see how someone with lots of experience and simply doing a meander would be able to manage it at that speed though and I can see how someone like Diane Gaudinski could use it at that speed while doing meanders on a sit-down version. My domestic machine will do 1,500 rpm and when you're just sewing long straight lines--it seems slow. My older and as far as I know most domestic machines will only do 700 to 900 rpms.

BKrenning

Machines made specifically for quilting don't have feed dogs. In the 9" straight-stitch only machines which are "semi-industrial", I know the Janome 1600p did not "drop" the feed dogs--it came with a cover plate.

I lusted after a mid-arm for 3 years before I stumbled across a deal on ebay. I was a complete nerd about it also and had the spread sheet and all my pros & cons of each model. My Voyager is NOT the machine I lusted after but I couldn't pass up the chance and I don't regret it.

ABM Innova was a new player in the hobby/home quilter market when I bought my setup but folks were raving about it. ABM made commercial quilting machines before dipping in the hobby quilter market.

Is Babylock still selling the Crown Jewel? There was also a Crystal Quilter but I can't remember who was selling it.

I just notice Nolting's FunQuilter isn't on your list. That has been an extremely popular beginner level mid-arm for a long, long time. It was one that I was really lusting after. The 19" Indigo is also missing.

There were 2 yahoo all-makes machine quilting groups that I lurked on for years. I think that's where I got my first spread sheet and just added to it as new machines were added to it.

I just remembered the B-Line 18 for the Canadian's among us. http://www.tobequilting.com I think it is still being made although I have heard through their yahoo group that the wife of the maker has been very ill. They started out with very nice wood quilting frames--a table top model and a free-standing one. I bought & learned on the free standing one when I made my first foray into quilting my own tops. Jorst later branched out and stretched a Janome (I think) into the B-Line 18 and made a special hopping foot that the Voyager owners were going crazy over.

patski

I have a sweet sixteen & with the table it was only $3.000.00

Havplenty

i didn't see the tin lizzie 18 sit down quilter listed. i forgot how much my lqs said the price was.

http://tinlizzie18.com/esp-long-arm-...zie18-sitdown/

LynnVT

I fell madly in love with a sweet 16 at a quilt show in April. It was on sale, with table, for $4,000. By the time I realized what an amazing deal that was, of course it was sold. Who am I kidding? My old house desperately needs painting outside, needs a hatch door for the basement, etc. etc. Now that machine has been upgraded and price went up about $2,000. Dealer has my name in case someone wants to upgrade and get rid of one, but I just don't see a possibility regardless. Sigh.

Silver Needle

A used Viking Mega Quilter sold on eBay. I have one. They have a 9" throat. I had it on a frame then bought APQS Millenium. I sold the frame but kept the machine. They have knee lift, great stitches and a cover plate for feed dogs. I have been using mine for piecing but am thinking about selling it as we are getting into collecting vintage machines. I would think they would make a great fmq machine.

AshleyR

I'll add it to the list: $4699.00

AshleyR

Here's some interesting comparisons: http://www.newjoyquilting.com/machine_choice.html

BKrenning

I just found the Juki 8700 model setup on a quilting frame with speed controller (handle mounted) but they may have alternate solutions for a table model. And they saw the "throat" is 11 3/4". You might want to add their Juki and a similar Tacsew to your spreadsheet. http://www.nustylequilting.com/quiltingmachines.htm