Is this a good deal?
 

Hi, I chanced upon this (used) setup for sale :
Pfaff Grand Quilter Hobby 1200 with Next Generation Quilting Frame.

I have no idea how old the setup is. The owner is asking $1000.

I have been quilting on a domestic machine with a 6 inch throat, so anything bigger is an upgrade for me.

What do you think? Thanks!

I would look further into the machine. It's age and also could you have a look at the set up and have a go. You need to bond with the machine and set up especially when looking at this price.

It is a good price. My friend spent about 1,500 for hers. You have a VERY small quilting area before rolling BUT you will never have to baste a quilt again before quilting. She really likes hers.

It is a fair price. Not much quiling space.

It is a good set up for a starter. As said you will have a smaller area to quilt with. I started with this set up and used it to quilt about 20 quilts before moving up to an 18" machine and different frame. That frame will accomodate up to about a 15-16" machine on it if you wanted to move up - as in a Bailey for an example. This is what my cousin did when she bought the frame frome me, and she loves it.
I kept the Grand quilter as I use that machine for free motion quilting my smaller pieces. It is a great machine and will quilt through most anything ( well maybe not a swather canvas!!) but you get the idea. Couldn't pry that machine out of my fingers if you tried.
If you get it, I do still have the stitch regulator for that machine and frame if you're interested. Never did get around to listing it anywhere.
There is a yahoo group for that machine and frame also which is a great help. The 9" Mega quilter is basicaly the same machine also, so info on it aplies to the GQ. Oh, also Finishing Touches has a really nice free motion foot for it too, much better than the one that came with the machine.
If you want any more info let me know.

Thank you so much for all the replies. I'm deciding between a brand new Gracie frame with Juki for $1600-$1800ish or this used setup of Pfaff Hobby 1200 and Next Generation frame at $1000. Of course, I understand that used machines do have (potential unknown) problems. What would you choose?

That is a good price to me. I have this one and its a workhorse!

delma

I think you need more information about it and how you might use it. You know, the kind of info you might need for buying any household appliance.

I have that same machine on an Inspira frame. I have been using it for two or three years and love it for what it does. Granted, I don't even attempt anything larger than a large lap quilt. I do take it 90 miles to a repairman about once a year to have it adjusted and cleaned. I was told that this machine does not like variegated thread. And I would love to have a larger throat area. But for now, it does what it needs to and I love it. I paid $1500 for mine. It also has a tray over the machine that holds my pantographs (which is the only way I quilt).