What would you recommend when it comes to purchasing a Long Arm. The Gammel is too big for me, but I am considering HQ16 . . . any other suggestions?
Please advise, thanks for your help. :?

i have the Tin Lizzie and love it. two other people here also have it and are very happy with it. we have the 18" SL

I want one.

I have the HQ16 and LOVE IT! Very little maintenance to the machine and it runs like a dream. You should look on the HQ website in the forums, you'll find some for sale right now because people are getting the HQ Fusion, so some really sweet deals are happening. Be sure to get stitch regulator!

I don't have a longarm but really, really want one. I test drove an HQ16 via a class so got to spend a good hour with hands on. I loved it UNTIL I test drove the Innova. I found it to be a much nicer machine for the same price if you get the 18" model (2" deeper throat!!). The 26" was more expensive. Dunster just recently got one.

What specifically did you like about the Innova over the HQ? I am shopping also and am trying to define the differences between brands.

We have a Tin Lizzie 18LS with Lizzie stitch and it is almost like running the Gammill I work on in the shop only smaller. The stitch is fantastic. Also, it is extremely stable. It doesn't walk and jiggle like some of the others we tried. I do a king size quilt in 2.5 hours with the Lizzie stitch. longer if I create as I go. You can design on your computer and then sew it out. A great feature. Or, if you like a pantogram you can follow it and then store it to use forever.

The machine itself appeared to me to be much more better constructed for comprable price, more bang for the buck. It also glided much more smoothly on the frame, the HQ seemed to want to pull to one side. Since my original post I have put a down payment on a 26" Innova with a 10' frame. I will be getting it installed sometime in July.

I went to a quilt show this weekend. I got to try the Nolting and the Tin Lizzie. I've never used a Long Arm before. I absolutely fell in love with it. Wish I could afford one.
Not knowing anything about them, I was amazed at the difference between the Tin Lizzie and the Nolting. I liked the Nolting a LOT more - it just seemed to move smoother. The Tin Lizzie came with a larger throat, and an aluminum frame. The Nolting with a steel frame. Much heavier, maybe that made the difference...not sure. But I hope to some day, get one of my own.
I would suggest you go try each one out - even if you have to travel a ways or wait for a show to come along where the vendors will be there with the different brands of machines. It may make all the difference in the world to YOU instead of depending on what others say (no offense to the others - I get lots of good tips here). You just have to decide what works for you - its YOUR money.

I LOVE my Innova 18"! It has a "top-end speed" of 3,000 SPM, which is twice as fast as anything else I found - no, I don't always go that fast, but I frequently go over 2,000-2,400. ABM International (a family owned/run American business) has a real person available 24/7/365 to help you if you get stuck with something, even tension problems which are always operator error...ok, every one of my tech calls has been due to me being stupid! I've broken my needle on a nickel I forgot I had put on my quilt top...I did NOT have to adjust my timing after that. I've adjusted my timing ONCE in 18+ months of quilting - a friend who has a Gammill is constantly having to time hers.

The basic Innova package has a fabulous, sturdy frame that isn't difficult to assemble. There are other things included in the "basic" that are "extras" on all the other machines I've looked at, like the base extender for ruler work. I got all the bells and whistles I was looking for at a price that was less then half of what I thought I would have to pay, and got a fabulous, moves like butter, machine!