Need Advice Before Purchasing a Frame
 

I have decided to purchase a long arm machine and a frame but I don't know anything about the frames. Can those of you that have them tell me what I should look for and what I should stay away from?

It's a very good idea to purchase the machine and frame together, as a set. Not all frames are compatible with all longarm machines. The only reason you would start looking at frames first is if you have a strict budget and need to shop on Craigslist and the like to put together a setup.

I have a Voyager 17 and Hinterberg stretch frame. The Voyager is an exceptionally heavy longarm because it is a stretched industrial Singer (no longer made). A Grace frame would not be able to handle the weight of the Voyager, whereas the Hinty frame was developed hand-in-hand with the Voyager.

A rule-of-thumb is to spend a year researching longarm setups before making a purchase. There is lots of info on the internet, but nothing replaces going to dealerships and quilt shows to actually try out setups. I have done this and found that the Innova is the machine that handles best for me. I would not dream of buying an Innova separately from a frame; I would purchase machine and frame as a package.

I also agree with buying a package of machine and frame. Look for something sturdy. If there is a join in the long roller bars, grab the bar there and give a wiggle. does it move? The other thing to look at is the carriage. Are the wheels metal? what to they roll on? if it's plastic it will need constant replacement. If you are looking at a stitch regulator ask to see the sensors. Do they look kind of flimsy? If you are pressed for room, you may also want to see if the frame can be fitted with wheels.

I bought a used Voyager 17 with the Hinterberg frame and traded in the Voyager for a Nolting Fun Quilter. One of the reasons is because it would fit on the Hinterberg frame.