Quiltingboard Forums - How a Brother PQ-1500 practically fell into my lap

I've been trying to get a machine with a bigger space to do FMQ. I have several vintage machines and had the best luck on the 301 but for the skipped stitches. I tried every hint and combination of thread, needles, clean machine, vintage FMQ foot, new FMQ foot, etc. Had it serviced and timing set precisely. I guess some of them just don't cooperate. (I know I can manage a basic meander because I do it all the time on my Dinky mechanical Brother of the Costco variety, but the throat is too small). I tried a 201, had it serviced, timing set, etc. I didn't like the feel of that. Haven't come across a good 15. So was thinking a Juki or a Brother. I was about to make plans to go test drive both of them but we had a weekend trip back to where we used to live and wanted to wait til after that. A day or two before we left, I got an email from the guild I used to belong to that one of the members was selling her Brother 1500. I called her and she said she is going into photography and is selling three machines, two Pfaffs and the Brother. I told her we were coming to town the next weekend and of course if she had a buyer to sell it but that I was interested. My best friend said she would go pick it up but I felt like I should at least eyeball it and test drive it. I tried not to think about it knowing I could always come back and go with original plan. So, we were driving into town that thursday and the lady called me to ask if I was still interested and I said yes. Turns out they live right off the Interstate close to our destination and we had plenty of time so we stopped there first. I got to play with the machine and asked her a lot of questions. She had it serviced at the OSMG I used to use. She had all the feet it came with, plus a bunch more. And an extra pin and gizmo to install, all brand new. Many bobbins, Organ needles of the HL X 5 variety in a bunch of sizes, an extra large extension table, clear, with the Brother name on it, cover, manual, etc. I really liked the way it felt to me. I would probably have been happy with the Juki too, maybe more so, but it didn't magically appear! And for all of this she wanted the whopping price of $350. I was thrilled.

Got the machine home and it stitches great. I was a little annoyed that the FMQ was breaking thread, but, I put the feed dogs up to the lowest level and that seems to have completely solved the problem. I tried many different needle/thread combinations before, writing it all down, thread in different directions through one, two, or three of the little holes, troubleshooting, etc. I don't know if it is a flaw in the machine, but, it is easily solved, so far.

I didn't think I would care about the thread cutter, but, I like it! It cuts the thread just long enough. I can use the needle threader. I can put in a bobbin. As of today I am very happy! If anything changes, I will be asking for help!!!!!