I hear great things about the Tin Lizzie, but I've only had mine for 1.5 yr. and it's been in for service 5 times now, and still isn't working. Several different parts have been replaced, but I think the real problem is the stitch regulator. I'm wondering if I should request a new machine or get my money back. Any advise out there? :roll:

What is happening?

Hey, thanks for responding. It's nice to know someone is out there.

Currently, the machine seems to work for manual stitching, but not with auto stitching. I used to be able with auto stitching let the needle go up and down a few time in place to lock stitch. But now, if the carriage doesn't move, neither does the needle. I have a QBOT computer attached to it that allowed me to do computerized patterns. Now the computer moves the machine, but the needle won't stitch. The tech has replaced several things on the machine including a needle sensor. We're now waiting for some control board to arrive, which wasn't in stock. So I've been out of commission for a month now. It always seems to happen when I'm in the middle of a quilt.

If I had that much trouble I would ask for another machine and if that didn't work then ask for money back. Or you might try for $$ back first and see what they say.

Thanks, Holice. I have asked for a new machine. The company keeps telling my salesman to fix it. This must be a lesson in patience.

Hopefully once they replace the control board your problems will be resolved. That should change the brains of your machine. :D

Try joining homequiltingsystems at http://groups.yahoo.com and asking there if anyone has had similar problems. It's an independent group, not associated with any company, and quite active.

In a lot of states, the 'lemon' laws say that if an item is repaired 3 times within the first year, and still isn't working, then you are entitled to a new item rather than having yours fixed...although, sometimes that includes refurbished rather than brand new - but either way, it is supposed to guarantee a working product...you might want to look into that. We had problems with a computer...once we asked about it they sent us a new one...

I have a Tin Lizzie for 3 years and have no problems what so ever. I would call Ernie the owner at Lizzie. I deal with him and he has been so helpful. I stopped at his booth last year and requested a new power cord..and he mailed it right away. I would ask for a new machine...there shouldn't be that many problems with it in that short of time. I hope you get some answers.

I have had a Tin Lizzie for 2 years and have had only one serious problem. I fried a circuit board in the stitch regulator control box. Took machine into shop and they fixed it while I waited. I was lucky. I agree with Janetlmt -- call Ernie the owner of Tin Lizzie. He seems to be very helpful when problems arise, at least he has been to some of friends who have a Tin Lizzie. I hope you get it to working soon.

Having that many problems with your machine isn't right. You need a new machine.

I usually skip over the questions about machines I do not know, I am glad that I read this thread! Thanks to all who responded, I am sure this type of "go get it" would help in many situations.

Thanks, Prism99. I'll try that. :thumbup:

Mmmm, I'm in TX. Wonder if that lemon law applies here. If not, I'll have to make lemonade. Thanks.

Well, I wish it was that easy for me. I bought mine at the Houston Quilt Festival year before last. It is a Tin Lizzie but has a Husqvarna label on it. I don't think under those circumstances Ernie will want to talk with me. Although my sales rep has called them, and was told they aren't supposed to deal with him.

Wow! Fixed it while you waited! I live an hour and fifteen minutes away from my sales rep and have always had to leave it for a couple of weeks. They never have the part in stock and always have order. As a matter of fact, I'm waiting now.

Thanks for your support. I'm new to this board, and eveyone's so responsive. It's like an extended family.

Hi,

I have had my TL18SL almost a year, and recently it refuses to stitch sideways with the stitch regulator on. The needle stops, and when it does move, it pulls the thread and makes a few large stitches. It moves north and south in a perfect line, however. I've contacted two dealers, checked the plug ins, the encoder wheel, the encoder plug in, and the rails for lint or thread. Sometimes it will move one or two stitches sideways and then dig its heels in. Have you had this problem?

Hi Sharon,

No, I haven't had that specific problem, just a bunch of others. Looking at what you've already done, I think you need to have one of the dealers call Tin Lizzie (you can't do this yourself), and have them determine what chip or board they need to replace in your stitch regulator. I know it's a pain, but you probably need to take the machine to the dealer, since you've done all of their requests over the phone. Unless, you live close to your dealer and they do house calls. I've taken mine in several times and had to leave it in the shop.

I hope you get it resolved soon. I know how frustrating this must be for you.

Thank for the info. When you say 'dealer,' do you mean the sewing machine store I purchased it from or a place that actually has techs on hand?

Thanks.

S

The dealer that sold it to you has to call the company that makes them. Otherwise, it may affect your waranty or guarantee.

Thanks. The salesperson moved to a different store (same company), so I guess I should work with the original store.

Sharon

Yes, Sharon. That's what I'd do.

Yes, Sharon. That's what I'd do.
Mary

Thanks again.

Sharon

Iam looking to buy a Tin Lizzie.
What kind of problems do you have with it??

What has been Tin Lizize's response?

Has your machine been fixed and running fine now??

Hi Karen,

I like my Tin Lizzie and think it's priced well; however, I wasn't offered classes on how to use it. It takes a lot of patience, practice, and Internet surfing to find info and make friends with the machine--that is probably of any long-arm.

After almost a year, I had a problem with one of the decoders, and the company was quick to work with me to solve it. If you decide to buy a Tin Lizzie, let me know, and I will describe the problem, which is easily fixed.

Otherwise, I've not had problems. There a a number of blogs plus YouTube videos that are very helpful. I would recommend the machine because it's solid and well priced. BTW, I didn't buy the Shirley Stitcher because I want to do the quilting free-hand rather than watch the machine do the quilting.

Sharon

I bought my TL at the Paducah quilt show and have been quite happy with it. I have had only a few problems and those were handled with a phone call to Greg, the tech at Tin Lizzie. There is a yahoo group for Tin Lizzie (tinlizzielongarm) that is independent of the company. You do have to join, but it is an active group and has a lot of information including direct telephone numbers to some of the people at TinLizzie. With that many problems you should be getting a solution, not more talk.

Many repairman are just part replacers, guessing until the right part is replaced. Also if you take a video of the machine messing up sending it to the repairman if he is any good he will know what is causing it. I would post the video of it messing up on Youtube, the exact name of the machine and where I bought it and the customer service, or lack of, I have gotten.

You sound like me....no Qbot....I want to do it myself...

I really enjoyed talking to Ernie and have e-mailed him through my husband several times..... I think if the Ansley runs like the Tin Lizzie I will end up with it....

I remember him saying you could use a number of different types of threads... and I liked the only one place to oil and the oil being contained....

Do you have any problem with the cord that comes from the bottom and plugs into the machine....I have read that some have and it is a real pain esp if it happens during quilting a quilt....have to move machine and then replug???

I will be back late Sat. night....so I will email the results of my search on Sun....Monday the latest.....

Well maybe just use manual if you think it is the stitch regulator. My LS was racing. Could be dust. Also make sure set at 11:00 when using speed. I have not been able to use my Lizzie for three months but I am back on my feet now and cleaned her yesterday and hope to try soon.

The sales rep was told they aren't suppose to deal with him? I think the sales rep is not being up front about that. Start raising a stink, a big stink!

Hi Karen,

No problems with the cords.

I have used several different types of threads in different price ranges and am moving to poly because it performs well.

At a recent show, I chatted with Sharon Schamber, and she gave me a lot of info on the TL--she's familiar with it. Two tips are to put weights in the carriage--I used ankle weights because I could spread them out and they're low--and to mount the micro handles behind the machine. I haven't done that yet, but she's correct in saying that mounting the micro handles in the front obscures your view of stitching.

Also, I purchased a package of her size M bobbing genies and find that I have fewer problem with tension and smoothness.

If you can afford the Ansley, I think you'll like having more quilting room and less messing with the poles.

You might be interested in this review. http://artisanssquare.com/sg/index.php?topic=7597.5;wap2

Sharon

Thanks Sharon,

I read that site.... I tried the Inova in Philly.....my hubby liked it until the salesman was knocking the lower end stitch regulator and told him he had to go up to get quality....

Hi,

I hadn't read the review before I bought my machine, but I thought you might be interested. Frankly, I've had only one problem with the stitch regulator, and that was when I had the encoder problem. It has otherwise worked great for me.

I'm pleased with my machine and now only wish I'd thought to buy the Ansley so that I wouldn't have to keep rolling the quilts so often.

Sharon

Hi, Karen. I think the machine is a good machine, and yes, affordable. People seem to love Ernie, and he's very accessible. However, I bought mine from Husqvarna and the techs didn't have all the training that the Tin Lizzie people did. So, with the many issues I had the support wasn't satisfactory. I was using a QBOT with it, which I had bought at the same time and loved. But the support with Husqvarna and QBOT doesn't exist any more. Finally, I was sent a brand new Tin Lizzie ] right out of the box (after so many repairs on my other) with a Shirley Stitcher because it is supposed to be more compatible. I wasn't happy with the Shirley Stitcher. The software wasn't what I wanted and the designs that came with it weren't as nice. I like to draw my own and let the machine stitch them out. It was a lot more difficult and expensive to do. QBOT had spoiled me. I loved their software. I'm selling my machine and hope to get something that's a better match for me.