I'm not in the market for a long-arm NOW, but it's definitely in the future. I'm hesitant to go try anything because I'm afraid I'll push up the timetable. (lol). What I'd like to know is the general price of a mid-range computerized long-arm, with stitch regulator and large enough for a queen. And are the rails purchased seperately? I know there's a huge range of prices, but can you guys give me an idea ???? A girl's gotta dream ----

Check out Nolting.com and look at their used machines, especially the fun quilter. Scroll down the page. The fun quilter is a mid arm, 17", machine. Mine sits on a hinterberg frame which can outfitted with however long a poles you need. His prices do not include tables unless stated. Have fun looking.


http://www.nolting.com/usedmachines.php

Another place to look to get ideas:

http://www.longarmuniversity.com/machines_for_sale.htm

You can pick up a Tin Lizzie 18ls complete with SR and Lizzie stitch for about 12,000.sometimes less. That will handle king sized. Easy to put together and use. Operates from front or back has laser for pantographs, everything you could ever need.

if you are willing to get a mid=arm instead of a long arm, Handiquilter is great. I got mine about 3 years ago and love it. I have the HQ16 with stitch regulator. I did not get the prostitcher which is available also.

I had no idea long arms were that expensive. Wow! I can't justify it but that's now- I also didn't think I needed a bunch of vintage Singers that I now own lol
I never say never- too much experience :D:D

Well, I figured they were that expensive. I should have never looked :!: :roll: Now I am thinking that maybe I will stay on the air mattress in the little room and use my 20'x27' bedroom for a "Quilting Room" :roll: :lol: Yeah.....in my dreams :roll: :lol:

I'm in the same position you are - wishing, looking and planning ahead. Before you make a final decision, check out the Homesteader. I think the site is quiltingsolution.com
I've heard a lot of good things about that machine and the price is reasonable - for a longarm.
I have a friend with a Nolting and she's very happy with it.

I bought my Tin LizzieLS with a Pinnacle frame in November with the Lizzie Stitch and Pattern perfect, shelf for the frame and some other goodies thrown in for only $6000. Check around before you buy!

Ditto. I got mine from a shop that was selling their demo for about $6,000, table and all.

You can spend anywhere from around $5000 for a basic smaller machine to $30000 for a top-of-the-line longarm with computer guided system (like Statler or IntelliQuilter).

Have any of you looked into the Homesteader? This is the one that I picked because of price, service and size. I think the whole system is less expensive then all the other names. Here is the link:

http://thequiltingsolution.com/homesteader.html

No, I am not affiliated with this company. Just lots of research, questions, reading and talking......

I understand about not wanting to test drive because you are scared to push up the time table but I would say do try any out you have a chance to. There were soem I thought I would want but after playing with them almost side by side at a convention there are some I would definitely not want. Those machines feel very different and what is right for one might not be for another. I really liked Innova, Prodigy and maybe A1. I was surprised some of the others were not for me. This will also help incase you ever see a used one and it will give you a sense of what is a good deal and what is not.

Check out the Innova before you buy.

I don't have any answers for you, because I'm dreaming, too. I recently went to our local quilt shop and there was a Handi Quilter Sweet Sixteen for sit down use for sale. Which is perfect for me, because I would be using it in my sewing room/my son's old bedroom and it's quite small. I got to sit down & FMQ with it, and it sewed so smoothly. The price for the machine & the table was $4900. Wish I had the money!

I have looked at the models of LAs at my lqs and cannot understand why they are as expensive as a car. IMO, There is nothing that remarkable about their construction nor amazing about the sewing machines (with the possible exception of the stitch regulator). I cannot imagine they are that expensive to produce. Does anyone have an idea why so pricey?

Take a look at the Homesteader. We test drove one at the local quilt show last year. It's the cheapest one I've seen yet and wouldn't be hard to get it worked on from what I am told if you ever have problems.

http://www.thequiltingsolution.com/homesteader.html

you can get a brand-new one for about $8,000. often less at the shows if you go for one that has no computer. but you have to buy your own poles from home depot. you can get queen poles or king poles - your choice. when i got mine i got queen poles. then ernie the owner said i could have gotten longer ones. i'm sorry i didn't know sooner, but i'm not taking it apart. the machine includes the light and the panto shelf also. you can add stuff if you want to. the best place to buy is the shows. the distributors can give you the best deals because they have the most competition there. check the prices online so you have some bargaining power whatever you buy.

Wow, that is alot of sewing to justify that cost. Some of you are very lucky.

I've been doing a bit of dreaming myself. Here's a Tin Lizzie under $5000.

http://www.sewingmachinesplus.com/qu...tinlizzy18.php

Go to the HQ website You can get an idea of their price

With this kind of investment test drive it first. I am disabled and found the one I wanted had a vibration that made it impossible for me to use. So glad I went to Spring market and tried several out. Got me a gammill and miss her something awful.

WOW
I checked that out ONLY 138.OO a month free shipping AND NO TAX OR INTEREST!!!
OH HOW I WISH I COULD BUT DH WOULD HAVE A COW!!

Keep in mind where you can get it serviced, how close would help be if you had questions, etc.

Check out the Innova, made by ABM International (family owned/run in Texas) http://www.abminternational.com/inno...ng-machine.php

The have 24/7/365 real person tech service, even if you just need help with tension. I've had mine for 2.5 years and it has never needed service. The Innova is made to commercial standards and comes in 18", 22" and 26" sizes and it is the only longarm that has an option for a couching attachment that allows you to quilt with the couching material AND have straight-line quilting on the back of the quilt. Not cheap when you are going for computerized systems.

Also check out the yahoo groups for all the longarms...you will get the honest opinion of users, not a rep/dealers sales pitch. Also check out the machines on youtube.com...some of them have such an awful noise I would not be able to stand using them at all!

There are so many out there...also check out Renae Haddidin's website - http://quiltsonthecorner.com/ - and do a search for article on buying a longarm. She gives you things to think and ask about...stuff I never even knew to ask about! She does have an Innova, but the article is not a sales pitch for Innova, just a great information piece on longarms.

Have you thought of getting together with one or two other quilters and purchasing one together? Brings the cost way down. You'd just have to decide whose house to keep it at. There are two groups of people in our guild that have done that.

http://www.quiltingboard.com/t-95520-1.htm

Check out this baby for sale!!! Might be what you are looking for.