I bought the Innova at a show and paid $7200 for the long arm machine & table & just love it

Bailey is the most affordable I have seen, the new juki is less expensive, and there is the new midarm Block Rockit that is also affordable. HQ are more expensive than the other 3 but not as much as say an APQS, gammill or innova which are on the higher end of the spectrum. You really have to test and do your homework as it is a big investment

Also make sure you have the space , those units are huge

Not exactly, a Brand new HQ 18" Avante with frame and SR retails at $10,995.00
http://www.sewingmachinesplus.com/avanteadvantage.php

A brand new 18" Innova with frame and SR (NOT Lightening stitche) retails at $9,995.00
http://www.innovalongarm.com/shop/innova-packages.html


IMHO Innova is a much better machine (but I am biased) and definitely priced more competitively than HQ.

Unless you've already worked on a LA that you love, you definitely need to "test drive" a few. I rent an APQS to do my large quilts on but they are pricey so I have signed up for a LA quilt show being held in New Hampshire in April. I plan to play on a few machines and learn about the accessories/options offered. My husband and I are in the planning stages of closing in our attic space over the garage to accommodate a LA on a 10 or 12 rail.

I wish you the best in your search. : )

I test drove a couple at a quilt show and decided I liked Handquilter16. Then I watched Craigslist every.single.day. After 2 years I found one for $3,500 offered $2,500 and bought it. I love it and there are many many videos to help you learn how to use it. I thought it was like a big Featherweight and that helped me to be fearless.

There is a new player on the field with a machine called the Block Rocket. If I were buying new I would consdier this one and do some research.

When we got our long arm, we researched the internet for all the machines we were interested in. We then found a demo of one of the machines and made an appointment to go there, about 100 miles from where we live. While there we found a another location that had one of the machines we were looking at and went there too. We are really happy we did that. We found the machine that we have been really happy with. That was 10 years ago. Just remember to get the machine you will be happy with for what you want to do.

You can spend as little or as much as you want. This is the set up my DH made for me and we have about $400 in it. I love it and it is far from fancy but it does the job for me. Good luck in whatever you do.

http://www.quiltingboard.com/main-f1...d-t243621.html

Please take my longarm, she is a Babylock Jewel with all the bells and whistles. She is a wonderful girl and can be adjusted from 3-5-8 to 10ft Your choice. I am now quilting for others and needed a much bigger machine. PM me for more information. I NEED MY SEWING ROOM BACK!

Just looked at your set-up and it is fantastic. We are in the same situation that you are in and I would love to be able to have something like that. You (and your husband) could make some extra money by putting this in print in some sort of booklet form. Other people sell their ideas like that. We bought plans to make a whizbanger chicken plucker and it works. I would rather have a set up like what you have and would pay for the plans.
Hope you are enjoying your machine set-up. It makes alot more sense than paying 10,000. for a machine.