I don't know if you will be able to see very well in the pictures but it is a frame that you use your own sewing machine and you should be able to free motion quilt. The problem is that it is to rough on the ball bearing and not smooth at all. Maybe if I had a bigger machine with a stitch regulator and one that self cuts the thread it might work better. I feel so bad I have had it since Sept of last year and have not been able to use it. I also only have 1 machine so I can't be sewing on other things when I am practicing on it. Last time I was practicing my husband came over and was using it and he realized how jerky it was and now he agrees with me that I really can't use it on any of my quilts, would hate for it to ruin something that I have worked so hard on. He was so great in buying me something to help me with my quilting, I hate getting rid of it but can't see why I would keep it, especially since it is in my living/dinning area. Any way I just wanted to brag a little on my husband, he also wants to buy me a better sewing machine but that will have to wait for a while also. I do love the one I have and it works just fine, just not for free motion quilting.

Lucky you. In time you will find a way that works for you.

where are the ball bearings? can you put patio door rollers on the carriage? it looks like the frame has tracks.

What a sweetie for trying :lol: Definitely a keeper :thumbup:

is there any way to replace the ball bearings with either bigger ones or something that rolls smoother ? He has the concept down, just needs some fine turning :lol:

Maybe replace the ball bearings???

Maybe oil the bearings a little

If oiling doesn't work, is there a way to smooth out the track its on?

There might be something you can do to make it useable for you. I would suggest joining the homequiltingsystems group at http://groups.yahoo.com and asking there. If it's not worthwhile for you to keep it, that is also a place where you can list the frame for sale (be sure to read their posting guidelines first).

My husband was going to make the same frame for me but couldn't find the wheels with the ball bearings.

Is it the wheels or the tracks that are rough? The tracks should be easy enough to replace, but when it comes to the wheels I'm lost as we couldn't find them. Where did you get your wheels?

I am sure there not ball bearing it is on a track system. Did not know that they are called.

We bought it off the internet. Not sure where. It was a kit and we just assemble it, everything was marked, easy to put together.

I'd ask Billy or Eddie or one of the very experienced LA folks what you may be able to do to stabilize it. It may just be the two tables you have it on are not stable enough and you need a different table to set it on.

How sweet of him! A keeper for sure.

I wonder if a Grace carriage would work on it? Just a thought.

Go to Lowe's or Home Depot and check out the kitchen drawer tracks. The good ones are heavy duty and glide like butter. The best ones for a lot of weight are the tracks on the big industrial tool box cabinet drawers. Measure the tracks and see if you can replace them. Probably order the tool box tracks from a tool and dye store if Lowe's has no resource to them.

I work for a Ball Bearing Manufacturer and Ball Bearings ar not oiled so please don't try that. They take grease. If you can get to the bearing and it can be removed you can replace it at your local Autozone, or if you have a Motion Industries in your area or an Applied I.T. store (check your yellow pages) they can sell you a new one and it shouldn't be very expensive.

I was showed how to find the bottom of a ball bearing and I laughed until I cried! :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

can you contact where you bought it from, maybe something is missing in the kit

what is the name of it?

Your husband is fantastic. I am certain he will be able to figure out something so that it smoothes out

Craftybear, I do not remember who he bought it from. There was a youtube video that shows you how it works. you might want to go there and check it out. I do not have the link or anything. I saw one at the quilting show in NJ, but that one you had to bast all three layers together and then roll it on the bars, this one you have three bars. Hope this helps for those of you that are looking. He has been looking at it to see if we can replace the wheels. It does not have ball bearings it is wheels on a track. Sorry for the confusion, I am not very name savy on things like that.

What a nice hubby you have!

I meant to quote reply. Sorry.
Wvdek:I'd ask Billy or Eddie or one of the very experienced LA folks what you may be able to do to stabilize it. It may just be the two tables you have it on are not stable enough and you need a different table to set it on.
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My number 1 guess is the tables it is setting on.
When I have my sewing machine on my foldable table it bounces, the faster I sew the more it bounces.
Would it be that hard to put the machine on the floor and use it for a row or two? /Regards, Dorothy