Getting ready to buy!! Anyone have a Nolting?
 

I'm getting ready to buy a longarm machine. The only one I have seen in action is a Nolting. Does anyone have one of these machines or know anything about them? I need all the info or suggestions you can give me on making the purchase. It i such a huge decision!

Yes it is a HUGE decision. I don't have a Nolting, I have an Innova (made in Texas) The only advice I can offer is to look at some other machines and test drive them before taking the plunge. At least just one other make/model so you have some sort of basis of comparison.

Quiltinggrannie uses a Nolting. Her website is quilterspantry.com. She does longarmming professionally.

I would also recommend going to a Quilt show where there are multiple dealers at and testing out all the models. I have a Gammill and I have used a nolting for some LA classes... I prefer my Gammill. but I know that everyone is different. Test drive all of them its way to big of an expense to not.

I have not tried a Nolting, however, I have tried Gammill, Innova, APQS and A1. Ive decided I am buying an A1. Its a personal preference. Good luck.

I am in the process of purchasing a Nolting right now! I suggest you get on the Nolting group on Yahoo if you are serious about their machines. I have been in contact with the Nolting rep in our area for a few years now, just waiting until I could afford one. Nolting is tip top number one absolute best in customer service! And I don't even have a machine yet! Over the past few years they have helped me find parts for other machines, answered every question patiently, and are extremely friendly. Good luck and let us know what you end up with!

Please take the time to check other LA machines. It is a personal preference for each quilter. I have an HQ and love it, tried out other machines and narrowed it down to this one. It is a hugh investment in money so test drive more than one. It's like buying a car, you don't drive just one.

Also, nobody seems to mention the frames. I have a Tin Lizzie and was having problems with doing small motifs. I finally figured out that it's the frame, not the machine. It doesn't want to do diagonals easily. If I'm doing a big swoopy curve, the momentum is there and it works OK, but at a slower rate of speed and a small curve, it's too stiff. On the plus side, I can stitch in the ditch without a guide :-)
I bought a used set-up, so didn't have an option, but if I had to do it again, I would look long and hard at the frame too.

I agree with all the other suggestions. I went to a show and test drove several machines over a period of 3 days before making my decision. The only thing I didn't take into account was location of the dealer. I love my machine but being a beginner I sometimes wish I had chosen a machine with a dealer closer to home. I probably would have been happy with any machine since I didn't have experience with any longarm.

A longarm is a big expense to take on when you've only seen one brand. I agree with the others - go to a show, try them all, join the forums, take it all in. Nolting may still be your choice, but at least it will be an informed decision. With any longarm (I own an Innova) there will be times when you're frustrated and times when you're content. When you're frustrated it would be best not to question your original decision.