Call the companies and ask about used or traded machines. I think the first place to get the best info is right from the manufacture.

Don't be afraid of a used machine. When they are traded in they are taken well care of. the reputattion of the company is on the line so they take great care of customers.

good luck in your search. let us know what you got.
peace

Just because you didn't like FMQ on your domestic machine, does not mean you will not have a natural talent on a long arm. They are tow entirely differently ways of quilting. I hated doing FMQ on my domestic machine and decided, after quilting 4 quilts, that I was not going to do that forever. Not when it was big quilts I was working with. If I were you, I would try the different machines at a Quilt show. That is what I did. You will know which one is the right "feel" for you. There are many good deals on used machines out there. If you go on the APQS Forum--go th "Machines for Sale" and you will find many good deals. I think there is also a HQ16 listed on there right now. If I were to buy a used machine, I would not hesitate to buy one on the APQS Forum. Or there is the APQS.com where you can find teh DEMO machines on sale right now--but that may be a higher price tag than you want to spend. I do not know anything about the Voyager or Bailey's machines. I did have a Tin Lizzie 18 and had problems with it. I also do quilting for others so it was heaviy used. It may have been just fine for me if I were only quilting as a hobby for myself. I believe every company will have a "lemon" sometimes just like you can buy a brand new car and get a "lemon". I think I had a lemon because there are other people on here that have Tin Lizzies and love them and have had no problems with them. I think an HQ 16 or an 18" in any brand would serve your needs just fine. I bought a APQS Freedom last November and love it. It has a 26" throat because I wanted teh longer throat, as I do alot of custom quilting for customers. I bought new because I didn't ahve the funds available to be able to buy a used one straight out. When buying new, you can finance teh machine, which enables you to get what you really want. Your other option might be to get a Sit-Down machine. They have lots of quiting space. Various companies also have them. I know HQ, BabyLock, APQS, and I think Innova, all has a sit-down machine. Good luck on your search. Keep us updated to what progress you make in your decision.

I forgot to ask if there is a model that takes up less space than others. I know the machines are large and I have a room to devote to it (or will have after some rearranging) but it would be nice to have one that was not so awfully large. I am assuming that you buy the huge rolls of batting and maybe even backing. Is it a problem to quilt small things on them. (table runners,etc.) I have lots and lots of small things made that I need to get quilted. Maybe I could learn on those. Please keep posting any tips and tell me why you like your setup. I am soaking it all in!!

I also have found several books on long arm quilting. Some of them even discuss how to purchase one to meet your needs. Has anyone found a book that was especially helpful?

kimg, the size of the quilting frame really depends on how long the rollers are. Frames are almost always adaptable to whatever size roller you want. A fairly standard roller length is 10 feet, although they can go up to 14 feet for people who want to do oversize king quilts. If you want to do only small items, you can make or purchase shorter rollers. On some frames it is easy to swap out the roller sizes to go bigger or smaller. Here is a link to Hinterberg's frame for domestic sewing machines (harp size up to 11 inches):
http://www.hinterberg.com/prod-Origi...g_Frame-5.aspx
Rollers are expensive to ship, so usually you buy a frame and then purchase metal rods at a big box hardware store cut to the length you want.

For quilting small items on a frame, I would even use basting spray. You don't *have* to use basting spray, but it's an option. Here's a Youtube video on how to do that:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tw3Lq...ure=plpp_video

There are tabletop frames too, including one where you can buy the kit parts and assemble it yourself. There is also someone who sells directions for making a machine quilting frame and sells the carriage assemblies and parts (you need a different size carriage assembly for machines with bigger harps) on eBay. Lots of options.

Really, though, for small items I find it's easy to FMQ them on my domestic machine because they fit under the arm easily. You don't really need a frame setup for small items. I purchased mine because I *hate* trying to FMQ larger quilts on my domestic machine. It's more fun for me to move the machine than the quilt!

Edit: If you want links to the kit and to the eBay seller of directions and parts, I can look them up for you.

My biggest tip is if you can afford a longarm (18 + inches) don't get a midarm. You will only wish you would've gotten a bigget throat. I have a Tin Lizzie 18LS with Quilt Magician and love it! But I have been thinking of going even bigger since I am doing a lot more customer work.

I do want to be able to do large projects. Most of the quilts I make are a good queen size. I like doing some small things but I could always do those on my PFAFF. I have done SITD and some basic quilting (straight lines) on it. My main objective is to be able to do large quilts. I have tried to do free motion and I have just not been able to do it well. I have a PFAFF Expression 2.0 and a couple of Featherweights. I even have a really large cabinet for the Pfaff with an extension for quilting. I just don't enjoy trying to do free motion.

I had a midarm and the other poster is right, you just end up wanting to do more. I have the 18" Avante as I stated before. I swore I'd never do large quilts, but guess what, I DO do big quilts. My frame is 14 feet. My shop is 7 1/2" by 17 feet. I get by, but would love bigger. I bought one roll of batting.................NEVER again until I get more room. The packages are so much easier -- plus, less waste. I know I can piece batting, but it's a pain. With packages I choose the size closest. If you buy 120" wide batting, even if you want to make a baby quilt, you have to cut the whole 120". I don't provide backing -- apparently some professional longarmers do.........I just buy what I need when I need....so far, out of 75 + quilts, I've only bought the backing on 4 for a special customer. She was unable to go out and buy. I like to match my backing to the quilt ---- so having 20 bolts of backing on hand is NOT feasible.

Oh -- another thought --- I know some people have the mistaken impression that you can adjust the frame for the size you want to do -- it's NOT easy to do that.............trust me. I've not seen a frame yet that you can adjust the size easily. I have not looked at the table top quilt machines, so maybe they adjust easily.

I have a Baby Lock Crown Jewel which is the same machine as the HQ Avante. I have a Baby Lock dealer within driving distance so that was part of my decision (an important part) although I have not yet needed the dealer. I went to a quilt show and tried all the machines there (which were most of the 18 inch or larger ones).
I loved the feel of the Crown Jewel with a Grace Majestic frame (10 feet - 120 inches). I have done several large queen quilts on it and could probably do a small king but not a large king. 10 feet was all I had room for as you have to be able to walk to the back of the frame for pantographs.
I got it 18 months ago with an interest free loan which I have half paid off already. In that 18 months I have done 26 quilts on it plus several practice quilts with muslin. The learning has been fun. I am now doing a couple of quilts for friends. I don't think I want to start a business - that would spoil the fun.
Baby Lock had a 4 day class in St. Louis which was absolutely superb. I was really ready to go after that. It was included in the deal at the quilt show although I had to get to St. Louis and stay in a hotel for 4 days. Baby Lock hooked me up with a roommate which helped alot with the cost.
I agree that the dealer and classes are very important. Also trying out the set-up on several different brands.

I forgot -- yes, VERY IMPORTANT!!!!