Help! Long arm purchase decision
 

Hi everyone!
My hubby has given the green light to purchase a real long arm and set of frames while that is the coolest thing ever. I am so hesitant and reluctant to spend over 6,000 for this setup. I found a set of little Gracie ll frames for less than 600 that I can use one of the domestic machines I already have. There were some postings about these frames previously but this doesn't help with my decision 😬. I am not wanting to start my own long arm business this is just for me, charity work and personal use. I do mostly all over stippling, edge to edge designs. So my question is what would you do? Spend a little over 6k for your dream machine and frames or go with the $600 option that will meet my needs. I just don't want my needs to outweigh my wants LOL Big decision to make!
thank all of you who respond with your thoughts and opinions.
Elizabeth

Go to a Big Show. All the makers are there and test drive everything. It's too big a purchase to not know what all is out there on the market. I'm sure long arms are like cars, each one is slightly different but they all get you down the road. Happy hunting!

A lot depends on your $. If you are retired and have enough funds I would get what you really want. Enjoy your last years. If you are young with a family think about what your needs are. But go try out everything around. Good luck!

I agree. You need to see everything that is out there and then you can make the correct decision. My friend purchased a LA table top and she rushed buying it without considering other machines. She regrets not getting the next model up in the series. Good Luck and have fun.

The set up on a grace frame limits what you can do. You only have about 3 - 4 inch quilting area as the area shrinks as the quilt rolls up on the frame (the size of the throat of the machine limits). You can do very nice stippling, some leaves, hearts on vines etc. With a bigger set up you have more options for ruler work, using stencils that fill a whole block, and more sweeping (think a big S shape for a feathered spine) free motion.

If you can afford it and do enough quilting to justify it I would buy a used Innova 18 inch or a used Handy quilter. There are a good number of newer used machines on the market. You will have so much fun with it and it will be easier to work with then a domestic machine on a frame. The throat opening is very important and a domestic machine does not have much space.

All of you have given me so much to think about. Thank you so much for all your thoughts and advice it is truly appreciated!

I had the same delema after l retired & wanted to quilt my family gifts and charity projects. l decided on the Bailey Home Quilter...but there are other similar basic machines out there. My budget was small...$2000. I got the 15" and found a good used frame on Craig's list. You can find package deals as well ( frame plus machine). l'd advise you to get as large as you can afford, but keep bells/whistles to minimum...not in business of quilting, you may not need computorized gizmos

I too, have the Bailey Pro 15. It was originally on a frame it now sits in a table. I find it easier to sit down and quilt as opposed to standing up. I don't have to worry about running out of throat space as I get further along in the quilting process. My stitch regulator is my foot......:) I glued a piece of wood to my foot peddle so I don't go to fast or to slow.

Start visiting dealers, shows, friends with different set ups and try out as many as possible. Test drive & take your time. It's an investment to research and make the choice that's right for you. Making the right, informative red choice can keep you happy for years. :)

It seems that most of the people that use a DSM on a Grace frame (or similar) are not satisfied with the amount of quilting space if they are doing bed size quilts. Definitely try out lots of different machines and set ups (standard long arms; mid-arms--both stand up like the BlockRockit and sit-downs and even the frame & DSM set-up). And keep one thing in mind--while you currently do mostly stippling and some edge2edge, that could be just the beginning if you got a easy to use machine!

This might not help in your decision, but I have decided to rent at a local quilt shop. For 6,000 dollars I can quilt about 80 quilts, and the machine is top of the line. I am going to buy a new embroidery machine instead.

I just bought the King quilter 18 inch to put on my Grace Majestic frame. I had used a babylock Jane on it but everyone is right about the space being small especially after rolling the quilt. So far I like the King quilter but I haven't used it much yet. The machine was around $3,000 from Sewing Machines Plus. And I can add computer to it if I want later on.
It seem to be a good machine for the price .

Currently, I have the Grace Majestic frame which I love because it will hold two rolls of queen size batting on the lower rail. I started out with a Juki machine (9-inch throat space) on a SuperQuilter frame, switched to a Bailey which I bought with the Grace Majestic frame as a package deal and now use Q'nique made by Grace. I love it! Do try out used and new machines in your price range, and you will find a machine that suits you well!

If I every have the money I will buy a Statler Sticher by Gammil .

If you buy a long arm, see what kind of warranty it has. My HQ is sensitive to almost every thread and makes horrible sounds, breaking the thread constantly. The dealer does not want to be bothered. I would never buy HQ again.

Some shops teach you how to use their quilting machine and then allow you to rent time to do your quilts. That might be one way to learn how to quilt on a machine at the same time finishing some of your quilts.

Always buy more than you anticipate you will need!

Another point, today you do basic stippling, but what could you do with that dream machine? Are you interested in improving skills or happy with your work now and have no interest in doing more?

There are good and not so good dealers of every brand. I passed on buying a brand new Gammill because of the dealer. His loss because I told him I had cash and wanted to spend it, I guess he didn't believe me. I ended up buying a demo model HQ Avante because I really like the dealer. My machine is wonderful, not picky about thread and if I have any issues she'll tell me what to do over the phone or if she's not busy she'll come right over. You should see if there's another HQ dealer close enough to you and call them, let them know how you've been treated and have them look at your machine.

Cari

Just remember that any frame you use with your regular sewing machine will be limited by the size of the machine throat. If the machine has a small throat, the area you can quilt will be relatively small. I have sit-down quilting machine which works great for me. Due to space issues I can't go to a long-arm. I agree with the previous posts that test-driving is important.

I would suggest getting a complete set. If you have the room, get a 12' frame. You'll be too limited with a 10'. I had also made the initial mistake of buying one online. Big mistake. The support is just not there if you need it. I went with Handi Quilter (Fusion) and am very satisfied. Good luck.

I also bought Handi Quilter and have had none of the problems that Wanabee had. Too bad your dealer is not helpful.

Handi Quilter Simply Sixteen w little foot frame (4'x5' footprint) is simply awesome!!! And it's under 6K!
I love everything about it including co's. outstanding customer service. Setup was easy, and faster than I anticipated.
Solid frame w clamping system is super easy and quick for quilting all size quilts. (Longarmer friends said they liked this system better than their traditional roller loading ones).
Manual + (2 option) stitch regulator modes.
Machine can also be used on larger Studio frame (10'-12').
Machine makes beautiful stitch w little/no tension adjustments.

Options:
Rear handlebars + laserlight if you want to use pantographs
Rulerbase if you want to do ruler work

It's such a pleasure to use!

Contact HQ Tech dept directly if your dealer isn't responsive. They're here to serve consumer community and are super helpful. I worked w them on my Sweet Sixteen sitdown that I bought used. It was bc of that fantastic support that I recently bought their Simply Sixteen w Little Foot frame.
Here is their general #: 1-877-MY-QUILT
Good luck!

If I ever have a money I'll buy a Staler Sticther by Gammil.

Longarm decision
 

elisabeth, great that you are able to purchase a long arm. Please check longarm university. Mom and I purchased a hq16 from someone on that sight and it has been the best ever. It is always a learning process but fun. We do not do it for a business but for ourselves and friends. Check that sight out you may have luck. Now, if only we could figure out the computer of it we can set it and let it do the work, happy searching. Debbie earl

I also do comfort quilts, no quilting for sale. I could no longer push fabrics through a machine. I originally bought a Bailey (sold it on the Bailey forum), but it is really a changed up Janome, and does not allow for the round needle that a true long arm has so there is flex in all directions. I bought a Nolting Pro on a new frame. The frame is enclosed and the large wheels move inside like butter. The handles are ergonomic and can be positioned wherever you need them to be. I have a great dealer. I do not do pantographs, but custom FMQ designs. I finally found what works for me.
Go to shows and try, but you almost need more time to try. I went to the dealers themselves and tried them out for longer periods.

I'm so very interested in the HQ Simply 16, I'll be following this post for sure. Being a completely new long arm newbie. I jumped feet 1st in purchasing a Semi Industrial Tin Lizzie 18 with frame, but didn't think about a manual for it all, and I can't figure out the tension problems which I'm sure are just my lack of knowledge, so I'm selling this machine and set ups to buy perhaps a HQ Simply 16 that I can get a lot of internet help and advice for. Thanks everyone for your help and input on my problems. Hopefully in the near future I will at last be informed a lot more on long arm quilting for my DH as well was all 6 wonderful children and let's not forget my even more wonderful 10 Grandbabies! Thank you for listening and of any help you will have mercy on my to help me with.
Thank You Quilt Board!!

FWIW! I went with a factory reconditioned Nolting commercial machine from the early 90's. 18" throat space, on a Hinterberg Stretch frame made to 8' (can be made longer with longer conduit and the end pieces). Including dealer delivery and setup, around $4500. I did a bunch of looking online for "the best" LA machines available in my price range. I saw a BUNCH of posts and blogs with ecstatic Nolting owners, and very few frustrated ones. That combined with factory support, made in USA, user friendly repairs on so many things that can go wrong...it was MY best option, even though I had no hands on experience with any other brand, and only a few minutes playing with one of these at a show. I have no regrets yet, I feel I bought a great machine.

Congratulations! I am so happy for you. For me owning a long arm freed me up and let me enjoy my hobby on a higher level. Enjoy!

I don't believe you'll be happy very long with a standard throat size on a domestic machine. Buy the best you can afford, after trying them all out at a major quilt show. You'll be happier while using it, and if the time comes that you want to sell it, you'll be selling a machine which is more desirable to interested buyers. Decide what your "must have" features are, and go from there. Remember there are always used machines available, and quilters advertise them on the internet on various sites. House of Hanson is one of those. The dealers usually have used machines available for sale, too, from people who trade them in for a newer or larger longarm. You can always get more bang for your buck by buying used, and commercial machines run forever with regular oiling. Take your time with this decision so you'll be satisfied for a long time. And have fun shopping!

I recently purchased a sit-down quilting machine by Janome, the Artistic Quilter SD, with 18" throat space and large table with extensions for under $4500. You may want to look into this option. I am very happy with it, I was able to quilt bigger than lap-size quilts and did not get any pain on my shoulders nor feet.

Check out Block Rocket. They look pretty neat and are well within the $6000 budget.

Acajacques,
i still have not made a decision on a long arm yet. It's such an investment and I am looking at the Janome artistic sit down quilter it's been a few months so how do you like yours? Would you buy it again? Pros cons?
Thank you so much!
elizabeth

Congrats to one who purchased nolting. A friend has one 12ft table and has had no probs at all...over 4 yrs now! I have had my apqs for 10+ yrs 14 ft, without any probs...even had a client base for awhile.....

I agree with this. I have a used Hq16 on a used frame with a used PCquilter. Bought it all in 2010. I would love a new frame and a more modern computerized quilting system, but this all works well enough for what I use it for.

If you decide to use your dsm on a frame, make sure the frame can be used on a bigger LA machine as well. That way you can upgrade to a LA with more quilting space and not have to get a new frame for it.

It is a big decision to make. And these days $6000 is not a lot of money to spend on LA quilter and frame. Don't feel guilty about spending the money to do something you love. After all, no one dumps your leftover money in your casket before you're buried, so you might as well get some fun out of that money now.

I'm sorry you're having problems with your HQ. I got mine used in 2010 and have had no problems that didn't turn out to be caused by me. I guess every brand produces lemons. My machine is happy with CT polyester spools; I haven't really tried other threads, so who knows what would happen if I used 100% cotton?

I love my Innova wouldn't trade it or the service....when I bought it i went to a big show with a notebook and test drove every one I could ....took notes ...crossed them off the list ...test drove all of them left again and again ....not sorry worth the time and money.