I used to have the Viking 18x8 on Imperial Frame with the Qbot. It would handle a king size no problem. The size of your frame will make a difference if you can get the width of the king size loaded. My frame was only 10ft and was a real tight fit. I now have a Babylock Crown Jewel on a pearl frame with CT also a 18 in machine and no problems at all with a king size quilt. Had a dead bar on my first frame and it was so helpful, I loved it. The pearl frame is a much different frame and a dead bar is not necessary. The Viking is the same machine as the Tin Lizzy, it was a good machine but I prefer the Babylock makes a much nicer stitch and much easier to guide. Have fun shopping and enjoy your new machine!!!!!!

I have an 18" Innova and my frame has a dead bar - love it! I have my take-up bar as high as it will go and I never have to move it to keep my quilting area level - I hate having to remember to lift that bar up as I go (I borrowed a friend's machine when I was quilting out of state). I have done king size quilts on my 12' frame. It does end up making the quilting area smaller when you get to the end. If I were to get another machine, I would get the Innova 22" just for a few more inches of quilting space with no loss of control. I do love the honest-to-goodness 24/7/365 free tech support that comes with the Innova. I have called on Christmas day afternoon when I had a quilt that had to go out of town the next day...they are always available because they sell industrial machines world-wide and those cost major $$$ for every minute they are down. I love my Innova and I have had it for almost 5 years.

I have the Nolting 30 inch Pro. I do not have a dead bar. I'm not sure what that is. My frame has three rollers. One for both ends of the backing and one for the top. All I have to do is roll my bar up with a handle to different heights as I quilt. And to advance my quilt, I just ratchet it up. It is a neat set up and works great. I can do a large panto. The Nolting fun machine has a 15 inch throat and works great for about. If you haven't, you might want to check it out.

First off, congrats on what ever machine you choose. You will love it which ever one you choose. You didn't mention Handi Quilter in your list. They make the Babylock Jewel so if you like the Jewel you might like the Handi Quilter Avante. Same neck space (18") both can be upgraded to include a Pro Stitcher if your interested in that. The Avante frame also has the tension bar (dead bar in this thread). You mention some machines with longer neck space. The Handi Quilter Fussion has a 24" neck space. If you are purchasing the Pro Stitcher as well, the neck space can be either. I'll explain a bit. Depending on how tall you are should factor in to what neck length you choose. As the Pro Stitcher would be running your machine. But if you want to free motion or do pantographs now the neck length matters. You want to be able to stand shoulders down, elbows in to quilt comfortably. If you are reaching across the quilt it won't take very long before you back will get tired. So if you aren't using that extra 6", why pay for it? How many 18" blocks on point do you quilt? I am 5' 5" and the 24" machine is a stretch for me. If you are taller, no problem. The height of the neck does matter to me. I don't care how long the neck is. When I roll (advance) my quilt the quilt rolls on in a circle not an oval. My quilts would fill that space before I finished my quilts. All of these machines have the precsion stitch so quilting is a breeze. You mentioned eyelashes. That is a tension issue. Your instructor should teach you how to adjust tension no matter which thread or batting or fabric you are using. I totally agree with everyone that mentions how important support is. Just to be clear here. I quilt on a Gammill. And yes I love it

Don't discount Tin Lizzie for tensions issues. Tension problems are operator error. I have the QueenQuilter18, which is the original TL. I don't have a dead bar, but would like to have one for more precision work, as it stabilizes the working area better. Something to consider in your choice of machine is what do you want to do quilting wise? Pantos? Freehand? Computerized? Do you want to do custom quilting? Do you intend to quilt for others? Some machines are better than others for more custom work. Actually, it's the frame & not the machine that can make the difference. I have to agree with gotta-sew, don't discount Handi-Quilter. They're good workhorses. I've looked at upgrading to another machine & Handi-Quilter & APQS are at the top of my list. Whatever you choose, enjoy it!

I have heard great reviews on the Innova, not so good on the Tin Lizzy. I already have a LA, but if not and I was to purchase one it would be the Innova, beautiful stitches and there is a dealer close to me here in MO

I have a Tin LIzzie 18...no problems doing king sized quilts...the problem would be if the quilt width is more than your frame...have fun picking your machine!

Renae Hadaddin has an article on her website comparing many different longarms. You might want to check that out. I haven't been to her site in a while, but the last time I looked it was one of the links down the right side of the page.

I have a viking 18x8 which is actually made by tin lizzie for viking. I made my own deadbar and it has worked well for me. I have also quilted a king size all flannel quilt with no problems.

DogHouse Mom, I started out with a MegaQuilter 9" on a Grace Pro 10' frame, added PCQ, then switched over to MQR for my robotics. I then upgraded to a stretched Juki 18" and tried to add a dead bar to my system but didn't do it correctly so always had problems with it. The poles on the Grace Pro were aluminum so I added the conduit poles over them. Better but still had some give to it. Finally moved up to the Innova 26 with lightening stitch, 12' frame. As I have arthritis in both hands the dead bar alleviates the need to move the take up all the time for me. I also added the auto advance for the take up pole which is great.

If you ever think you'll want a larger machine and you decide on the Innova I'd go with the 22" as it uses the same frame as the 26". The 18" uses a smaller frame and you'd have to upgrade that too.

As others have mentioned, put down your priorities, test drive all you can and then sit down and write down all the pros and cons to each machine and see which one comes out with the highest number.

As to the Innova, you have 24/7 customer service with Michael, once you'd figured out your tension with each brand of thread you use, you'll be quilting away. There are so many videos on how to fix things yourself for this machine, you'll rarely have to call Michael for help. But if you do, he will keep with you till its corrected. This machine is such a joy to quilt with for me even if its been a couple of months since I quilted last, only takes a second or two to get your bearings and you're off to the races again with it.

Just my take on the subject.

Suz in Iowa