Industrial machine as a long arm???
 

http://knoxville.craigslist.org/art/2643981953.html is what I'm interested in. I have never machine quilted on a frame in my life. However, I can get a Gracie frame at a fair, reasonable price. So now I'm looking for a machine to put on it! I have emailed the person on craigslist and asked... now I'll ask the experts on Quilting Board! Can this machine be used on a frame? It seems as if the motor is on the table. Does that mean it can ONLY be used with that table?
Is there anything I need to know before I take a look at this machine? I've never spent more than $50 on a machine in my life, so I need all the advice you can throw at me!!

Thanks bunches,
Ashley

You would have to get the measurements on the machine to make sure it will fit on the frame. If the motor is on the table, that could be a problem....

hmmm after I opened that link to craigslist...my antivirus kicked up something...:rolleyes::eek:
wonder what that is about

on topic...never tried a machine like that at all let long on a frame. It has a great open space for sewing and put on the right table could really work for quilting

Hi Ashley,
I think it is safe to say that you would need to replace the motor with something smaller. That motor is far too heavy to mount on a lightweight carriage to push around on a gracie frame. (it would build up your upper arm strength though)
You should also consider the sewing speed. It is easier to learn with a stitch regulated machine because you will not be using feed dogs to move the fabric. Stitch regulation automatically controlls the speed of the machine based on how fast you are moving the machine over the quilt. My quess is that machine does not have stitch regulation, ask if the feed dogs can even be dropped.
Tom
oakleaf-quilting.com

You cannot use that style machine on a frame.
Debbie

Thanks everyone! I guess I'll keep searching! The gentleman selling the frame has a Juki for sale too for $450. I think I can get the whole set up for $700. But the throat is only 1.5 inches bigger than my Elna so it doesn't seem like a very good investment. I think I'll save my money on a new machine and take poor, needle-breaking Elna to the doctor and see if he can make her better. I think she'll be a great machine quilter some day!

The Juki is a perfect machine for frame quilting. That's what I started with.
Debbie

I got the Frame and Juki. My husband just picked it up and is bringing it home. I have to wait until 5:30 to see it!

That looks exactly like the machine I had on a B-Line frame way back when I owned my quilt shop. I had never got the "hang" of using it, but, a couple of other ladies had used it during the time I had it. I had paid approx $850.00 for the machine (8yrs ago). When I closed the shop, I sold it to a real little enthuiast(spelling), and she loved it. Interesting enough, I ran into her when I started a new job 3 yrs ago(we both work at the same place), and she is still using it and "cranking out quilts left and right" (her terminology). You should be able to mount it on the table, but, I would ask the base size and also, do you know the size of the carriage on the quilt frame? I say Go For It and let us know how you make out.

There's still a part of me that really wants this machine! I don't do much sewing tho, and other than quilting, I really wouldn't need a throat that big! I've spent way too much on this frame set up to covet another machine! I really need to quit pulling that ad up and looking at it!