Does anyone have the original Grace Machine Quilter frame?
 

I purchased a used GMQ frame a few weeks ago. Does anyone else have an issue with the tracking system? This one was set up but not used for quite awhile and the tracks and rollers were full of dust. I was hoping after I cleaned them it would move smoother. When I do free motion it works great but trying to do a pantograph or follow a pattern the carriage does not move like I would like it to. The Grace company does sell upgraded carriage and track systems. Has anyone upgraded their tracking system and are you pleased with it? Any suggestions would be helpful.

I have the orginal GMQ and purchased the upgraded carriage, which is a great improvement. As of right now I have not upgraded the track system. I feel the joints in the track are the problem and don't know if new track would help. If you decide to upgrade the track, I would be interested to know if you feel it was worth it.

I have the original system too...not much problem with the tracks...I always clean them out before each quilt with a rag and sewing machine oil to make them roll smoother...another hint...check your rollers under the carriage...they get linted up too. Mine gets alot of use between DD and myself...

I too have the original GMQ. I up graded my carriage and got the best deal at allbrands.com . $99/ free shipping. I clean my tracks, wheels and sensors with an alcohol cotton ball before each use. I do have issues with the old track system only because the tracks are in pieces. New full size tracks are not available. When I hit one of the "cracks" my stitching is thrown off quite a bit. I wasn't aware that the new tracks would work on the old system. Please PM me and let me know if you upgrade and it helps! I don't check in here often enough and would otherwise probably miss your post. I have a 17" machine on my frame.

My sister has this frame and also got it used. The tracks were pieced instead of continuous. She contacted the comp. and ordered the continuous track and it made a world of difference. No more jurking at the joints of the track. She still uses the original carriage. It is a plastic one, not the wood one. When the track came, it was rolled up. When she reduced her frame to Queen, and went to put on the track for that size, it broke and the Grace company replaced it.

Grace has great customer service and product support - they will be able to help you out.

thanks so much for the input. I haven't tried the machine oil or alcohol on the tracks yet but I will. So maybe I'm just looking at purchasing a new carriage. Mine is the wood. Paducah quilt show is coming up so I will wait until then before I buy any replacements. Hopefully the Grace company will have show specials. I did see the allbrands website and their pricing is better.

I recently got the original GMQ and it has the continious track. I would like to upgrade the carriage at some point. Thanks for the info about Allbrands.

thanks for the conversation re the Grace frame. I have one with the split rails. I have just been careful when I get to the "connection". Didn't know there were replacements.

I have a GMQ frame which I bought used off of craigslist but have not used it yet. I do have a quilt loaded on it and hope to get to it soon. Thanks for the information.