Does anyone have this? There is a PC Quilter, Hinterberg quilt system and Brother 1500 for sale on Craigslist, with the laptop. I don't have anything right now and don't know if this is a good idea. She wants $1800. Any thoughts?

typically when PC Quilter is being sold with the laptop its because its one of the first issues of PC Quilter and does not work with any of today's more modern computers.

i would double check what version of PC Quilter is for sale and then you can determine if its worth the price and how much it would cost you to update if thats what you want to do.

i had a chance to buy PC Quilter with the laptop and by the time i determined the value of the laptop ($25) and the cost to update PC Quilter to the current version (over $1000) it wasn't worth buying in my book.

Thank you. I'm not knowledgeable about these things. I am getting ready to retire and thought I would like to have a few "extras" for fun quilting. I need to do some reading and investigating.

well you can always post the info here.

there are many people on the forum that know computer and robotic quilting that can help you make the best decision for you.

That is probably a great deal. I am planning on selling my pcquilter as I have had it for over a year and never used it. It's time to go. The 9" throat of the Brother would be a downfall for me. You won't be able to do much more than a 4" deep design on a quilt.

I have a PCQuilter... Sorry I'm late getting in to this topic. I can understand the computer included. The PCQuilter started out using parallel ports, the old printer ports. Newer computers don’t have them, they have USB ports. There is a hardware upgrade for it, but it’s not as easy as just attaching an adapter, you’ll need to work with the company.

Here’s what I know about purchasing used. You will have to purchase a “support” package from PCQuilter. If you have any problems, or need any training until your comfortable using it and need to call the company, you will need a support package. The software is registered to the current owner; I don’t know if it’s transferrable, again you’ll have to contact PCQ. Updates to the software are free to the registered user.

If the current owner is willing to demonstrate the system to you, tear down and set up and confirm that is it still working as previously demonstrated, and your satisfied with the setup… it is an awesome deal. The 1500 alone is worth $500-700.

Make sure it comes with all the original software disk, not that you’ll need them, but who knows. And if it’s working to your satisfaction, then you really shouldn’t need any type of software upgrades.

Oh, and there is a yahoo group too. They have lots of information there. Let me know if you have any questions!
Mona

Oh! My gosh! I didn't realize a simple local ad on CraigsList would make it all the way to this list! What a pleasant surprise!

For those of you who might have been interested in the set-up, I thought I'd let you know it was sold a week ago. It was my personal equipment.

Take care all ...
Linda

does anyone use the pcquilter? i have one and a 15" bailey .. i am having no luck since i bought the bailey ... i honestly think it keeps going out of timing .. its really beginning to be a pain .. loved the pcq before!

Mistytx, Give Chuck a call. Sometimes the machines are just not quite right and need to be replaced. I had a lot of problems and they gladly sent me a new machine to try. Smooth sailing ever since!

I have found a PC quilter that is a 2006 with all the soft and hardware and working for the previous owner. She had offered to see the PC quilter for $300 without the computer. I do not want her old computer I would like to use mine. I need another computer like a hole in the head. SO my question is- what are these worth at this age? Any ideas.

I appreciate any help and thank you!
jane

My concern is that the software is so old and outdated it's possible it wouldn't run on your computer.

Peckish you are correct. The good news is that hubby is a systems engineer and never throws anything out, he has restored a IBM thinkpad with parallel ports so I should have no problem with the computer end. It would be designated for the pc quilter alone. I have done a lot of reading and I know that some people have mentioned " pucks" I am not sure that is something that I would have to invest in. Hmm. The software program that it is running on is WinXp and I can acomodate this. I am looking to see about software upgrades and asking the company if they still have the Xp version upgrades.

Your concern is legitimate and I am looking into all specifics as I should pic up the beast on Monday. I appreciate your heads up as you are on the ball

The next question I have when I get this thing up and running on my machine is..................Where does one get patterns or should I ask if all electronic pantograph patterns compatible with the PC quilter?
Thanks so much!. I appreciate everyone's time!
Jane

I have several friends who have used PC Quilter, but they seem to have moved away from it and are using other programs now. I have *some* knowledge, but am not confident enough in my limited knowledge to pass it on to you with certainty that my information is correct.

However, there IS a PCQuilter group on Yahoo that may be able to help you with your questions. :thumbup:

http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/PCQ/info

Wonderful and thanks so much, OK now I have to admit that the lady just dropped the price to $100 so how can I refuse, I am now teasing my hubby that we can have a double decker one with my FMQ 18: long arm and the other with the PC quilter and the mid arm. I guess I better learn to work it first.

I just joint the group you suggested, Thank you very much for your help

The PC Quilter itself is upgradeable. I have had to do that to mine. It has not cost me extra to do that. I do know you have to do somethings to transfer ownership from one person to another. I would check if it uses a serial port or UBS. I had to change mine to a UBS because of issues with the serial port. Support now costs $75 for 6 months. It is only available 3 days a week I think. Melonie is very knowledgeable and easy to work with. You do need some computer savy. I am using a old computer because I am to lazy to update it (some have had issues when going to a newer operating system). There is a learning curve. I am not an expert by any measure but I am glad I have it.
Carol

Thank you ladies.

This is what I have done so far, read every piece of information I can get on the PC quilter the online manuals you tube videos. I have found Melanie from PC quilter who has given me direction on how to change ownership and have privileges for the system updates available. I have joined and waiting for approval to the PC Quilter Yahoo Group.

I looked around the house and one out of 7 computer has a parallel port - which I am sure the PC quilter ( being a 2005) will require. I have asked DH to wipe the old computer clean so that it will only run the PC quilter software. Once I get the system downloaded I can later look at the option of using a cable to convert the serial cable to the usb port on one of my other laptops. DH is a computer engineer who NEVER throws anything out so we should be in good order. I am actually picking up the PC quilter early next week and hope that I can at least get the carriage to run day one, and familiarize myself with the start up -pause and run. Once we know the carriage is working properly I will then get the longarm on and hopefully get that organized so that I have the right speed of the carriage and the appropriate speed of the longarm so that there will be even stitches. Once those basics are sorted I should be off to the races.

Thanks so much for all your help and suggestions it is so much appreciated
Jane

A puck is very helpful with a pc quilter. It allows you to stop quilting from the front of your sewing machine. The standard pcquilter has the stop button on the rear of the pcquilter. It is very hard to reach from the front of the machine when a quilting emergency happens. It also lets you raise the needle up/dowh and increase/decrease the speed your sewing machine is sewing at from the front of the sewing machine.
At this point, I would not quilt without the puck. You can get a puck from Mikesmachineshop.com. They are custom made for your sewing machine.

Most quilting designer web sites have patterns that are compatible with the .txt files patterns pcquilter uses. You can also make your own patterns and convert it to a .txt file as part of the pcquilter software.

Yes, pcquilter does maintain/update software as part of a package of customer support they sell. I never updated mine - have had it 3 years and haven't had a problem that wasn't caused by operator error.

Pcquilter different models are made for different weight machines. I assume that your bailey is matched to the weight of your pcquilter model.

go to the yahoo group for pc quilter and do a search on the bailey machine. I don't have a bailey, but have read posts from others who do. There could be helpful advice there for you.

Thank you I did note that the pc quilter says it is compatible with my machine on the online site. I have asked to be a member of the PCQ yahoo site, they have not responded to my request but I am sure they will soon. I have heard of the puck and had a bit of an idea about it but not to the extent of your explanation. I have a variety of machines I can use on the PCQ my hope would be my 17" Bailey.If not I will not cry especially since the PCQ is only going to cost me $100 and I can use it on my midarm. It would just mean that I would have two stations one with the PC quilter and mid arm another with the FMQ. Now my hubby thinks I am challenged. I thought why not have a double decker station , I could have the automated PC quilter on a lower level and the other FMQ on the second level. Something like a bunk bed situation . The hubby is laughing himself silly .. at least I am entertaining! Thank you all for your comments and directions, I can hardly wait to delve in!

I just wanted to give you some feed back , I purchased this 2004 PCQ from a lady about 50miles from me. I brought it home loaded it up, Now it does support my weight and I have a 17" throat on my longarm. The PCQ accomodates patterns up to 10" in length of the pattern X the width of the frame. I have learned to clip, flip, crop , and mirror images. I also found that I can digitalize patterns.. The only glitch is that it doesn't like the foot pedal, it seems to be finicky for the old motor, once it gets going it is full steam ahead. I have learned how to bypass that problem and onto the races. Thank for you all your help, I have managed to learn all that I can for the time being and very pleased. I have registered the machine in my name, got the newest of software and prepared for a fun filled time. I might have to give into housework once in awhile.

Thanks for all your support

Pc quilter. I am still at it and love it, I can tweak that thing any which way. NOW my next problem is I saw a inspira frame on craigslist that is too good a price to die for but it is 3 hours away. I have asked the lady to measure the tracks I don't want to drive all the way there and then find out that the PCQ carriage won't fit it. DO any of you ladies have the metal inspira frame?

Thank you

Jane