Koala Cabinets- Yay or Nay??
 

After weeks of trying to decide what I want in my quilting room and what makes the most sense I have decided on this.
http://www.sewingandcraftclub.com/in...ategory_id=303

For those that may have a Koala cabinet, are you happy with it? How has it held up? Did you order it from your local shop?? Did you get a good deal on it??? Would you buy one again?

I looked at the horn cabinets but they would not fit my needs, I need the height since I am tall and I have not seen any other brands that offer this option. I could ask hubby to build me one, but I would like it in this life time :). Any feedback would be greatly appreciated!!!!

My recommendation is to go for it. I have them and LOVE them. I love how you can lower the machine down into the cabinet and then close the door when you have company coming. I have several of the pieces and use every one of them.

I did them from my LQS and lucked out twice because I got the floor models.

Good luck making a decision. PM me I you have any questions.

I love my Koala cabinet. The only issue I've had is knocking rulers down onto it and leaving divits where the ruler has marred the table. Not the table's fault, but still not good. Make sure you open it all right away as mine had several parts that were damaged and needed replacing.

I love mine! A local quilt shop that sold them was closing it's doors and I got a great deal on the floor model. It was in perfect condition. I didn't get Koala's delivery service, so I had to set up the unit by myself, including removal of all the packing materials and had to level the lift by myself but the installation manual is easy to follow. If my room was bigger I would fill it with Koala furniture.

You only spent weeks trying to decide? I spent a couple of years. I went to a quilt show and they had show prices for their cabinets. My local dealer told me that she would match whatever price I could get at the quilt show. So I got a formal quote at the show and then took it to my local dealer and, about a month later, I had my cabinet. My only regret was that I took so long to make my decision and buy one. I absolutely love it!

Yay! Mine gets delivered tomorrow. My Bernina 880 is too heavy for other cabinets to lift and I prefer to sew with a flat surface. It has electric motors that control the hydraulic lift. And is so well made it is worth the cost. I had a Viking table but it wasn't heavy enough to handle this machine. We had to temporarily lay a 3/8" plywood board on top of the Viking table temporarily just to control the vibration so I could embroider! Better to do it right the first time. Get as big a table as you can fit in your room for binding those large quilts.

I have had my Koala cabinet for 15 years. I use it daily as my Bernina sits in the slot for the machine and I have my Featherweight on the opposite side. I think it still looks like new. Actually, it was not new when I purchased it. The cabinet was a floor model in a fabric store so I got it at a great price. I also have a Koala cutting table that is 13 years old. I purchased it new; but it has been worth every cent. I love the storage space in my cabinets. I am a real fan of Koala cabinets.

I say YAY! I purchased a Koala about two and a half years ago and am very happy with it. It only took me about 30 seconds to decide when I saw the display at a local craft festival. The one I decided on was about the same footprint as my dining room table, so you can guess what happened to the dining room table - gone! I went through a LQS to place the order and the process was very straightforward and quick - about a month from order placement to delivery. I had the Koala delivery service and it was top notch. To date, I have had no issues or problems with my cabinet whatsoever. It is a joy to use and I would buy another one in an instant!

Thank you everyone!!!
 

Thank you everyone for your feedback!!! I am going to order it, I am so excited!! We bought a new house in December and I now have a room all to myself for quilting. I am taking my time and setting up everything just the way I want it; it's going to be so nice to not have to put my stuff away every day!!!!

I'm glad that you have decided to get it....but if possible...order it from a local source. They will do the set up and delivery. If there are any issues with the unit, it will not be delivered...they will replace it with a perfect one. Koala is picky about their cabinets and want you to have a good experience.

I love mine! I bought mine via craigslist and got a fantastic deal. Had a not bought it via craigslist I probably would have bought it via a local store because they have deals every once in a while.

I love my Koala cabinet!! I have the Quiltmate Plus IV. I went back and forth about what would best "serve" me and this is the one. They're NOT cheap!! I have mine in my AZ house and went through a dealer in Phoenix. They set it up. the veneer was coming off one of the shelves so I called the Koala people and they sent 2 more shelves, no issues. I didn't care for the Horn cabinets, either - I just knew that the sharp corners would "catch" my quilts and I wouldn't be able to move them freely.

I've had mine for 14 years with no problems. I say YAY!

I called them and they are 6-8 weeks out for delivery etc.....which is perfect, all the snow should be gone by then and my driveway usable!! Order has been placed and now I will be anxiously awaiting my new cabinet!! I refuse to feel guilty for my splurge!!!!!

Have an older Horn which in size and setup is identical to the older plain single machine with lift. I have the cutout and it fits the Horn and a Koala Light. My big objection to the smaller cabinets is the wasted space when open. I saw the Koala 430 Lite, and it had a cabinet with a cover that flipped to the fromt. I put a plastic drawer unit under the flip out side to the left of the machine, and a file cabinet under the flip out front piece. Holds the serger very well. Now I have an L-shaped unit since the Horn flips over the file cabinet also. I had a Koala like the Horn. Couldn't sell it, no one wanted it. Gave it to a friend.
http://www.icanhelpsew.com/images/koala-q430_thumb.jpg430.
https://www.hornofamerica.com/products/2130.80A.jpgHorn

If you have the money, then go for it. I still use my old Singer desk that my Dad bought me for graduation 44 years ago. No longer use the Singer but my Bernina is very happy sitting in it. Any wood desk can be modified with a cut out of top and adding a shelf for your DSM to sit on. Good Luck.

Best investment I've made. I love my Koala cabinets. I believe they are worth the investment. You will pet them just like your fabric. Well, maybe just a little pat or too. I'm very excited for you.

Glad you can afford a Koala. I cant and bought a Bertha since my machine is oversized. Cost me $550 over 5 yrs ago.
It works great and has a lift, some storage in the doors, and lots of extensions.

I love them. I lost mine in the OK tornado last spring and have replaced the sewing cabinet and have the storage cabinet on order to be delivered when re-build home is ready. You will like them.