Q'nique 15/21" tension
 

In reading facebook posts pertaining to Q'nique, it seems as though several people are having problems with their tension. I don't have a Q'nique but am wondering if it is the user or the machine. Any thoughts?

i received one for christmas. i set up the video on how to adjust tension for my unique 15 and i did
mine following the video and i didn't have trouble.

Mine Q is still on order, but I've been following the facebook group closely and wondered the same thing.

The biggest learning curve for any longarm user is how to deal with tension. I don't know anything about the Q'nique, but I do know that you will find quilters complaining about tension issues on every forum, for every machine. My concern would be whether there is good support for the machine you want to purchase. It doesn't have to be local support - most issues can be solved over the phone - but you do need to know that there is someone who is capable of helping you with any issue, including tension, at just about any time.

I agree with checking on support, especially if you are not familiar with mechanical sewing machines.
Here is a great video on setting tension. I have friends with various brands of machines and it seems to be working for all of them.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q1mRhcquZTM

I agree about there being a steep learning curve with tension on LA's. One of the big things is that you need to adjust bobbin tension for each thread, something we rarely do with domestic machines. I struggled and struggled with tension for my HQ until I bought a towa gauge and put a digital readout on my top tension. now I have very little in tension problems. I never could get a good feel for the drop test, and never could remember which way to turn the dial to increase/decrease tension. Now I set my bobbin at 200 and adjust the top tension to balance, and I'm good to go. Top tension will vary between 550 and 800 on my gauge, so that is quite a bit of variation.

Then add in the tension problems that are due to the tension on the quilt sandwich - What I can say, quilting is so much funner after I figured out all this. You could say the problem was both machine and operator. The machine is particular, and I had to learn those particulars.

Don't forget that the tension can and does vary from one quilt to another.....according to thickness of fabric, batting used, thread used, etc.

I don't have a Q'nique machine either, but on my Ken Quilt short-arm, those are the main things that I have found that make a big difference for me.

[QUOTE=DebbieJJ;8050450]Don't forget that the tension can and does vary from one quilt to another.....according to thickness of fabric, batting used, thread used, etc.

I agree totally with DebbieJJ that tension can vary from one quilt to another. I check the tension every time I do a quilt. I test the tension on the backing with a scrap next to the quilt on my Q'nique. If I use the same thread on both top and bottom, it is usually enough to have the turn knob flush with the end of the spool (hope that is the right word). I use the Jamie Wallen to make sure the bottom thread tension is correct first. If needed, I adjust the top tension. My favorite thread is the Glide brand for both top and bottom.

If using different threads or different thread weights on both top and bottom, I use the Jamie Wallen method (Google this online for information). This is when I experiment with the top tension knob until I find the right tension. It has worked for me every time.

Are those of you who own a Q'Nique pleased with your machines? They are so new that you don't find many owners to ask for their opinions. Is the harp space adequate? Trying to decide whether or not to upgrade.

cant wait to see your answers, I'm about to purchase the Q'Nique 15.

I have the Q'nique 15 and love it, no tension issues top or bottom I purchased mine in 2015, Great customer service also and they have many you tubes for any help you may need ...

I had problems with the tension when I bought mine last year. I purchased a Towa tension guage and I had no issues since.

I love my Qnique, I upgraded from a Juki 2010. I make mostly lap quilts so the 15 inch is perfect size for my needs.

I think Leah Day has a Q'nique. She used it in a table and now it is on a frame. She has a lot of videos on her site about it. Leah Day dot com.

I have had my Q'nique 21 since end of March. Any of my tension issues have been related to user inexperience with the machine. I am very satisfied with the machine and love having the convenience of a machine in my home. No more booking long arm machine rental time at a local quilting studio.

I have a Q'Nique 14+ and I would Not recommend the machine. I have had nothing but trouble and I found the customer service not to be as helpful as they should be. I had to have an independent tech come to my home and he said the timing had never been factory set. I would, if I had it to do over, buy where support is local enough to come to your home. Just saying...

I can’t find a local dealer for use in the table. Joannfabrica sells it together with the grace frame. They do not offer the machine and table. I emailed the grace company and asked for names of local dealers and they emailed back that someone would contact me. It’s been over two weeks. I don’t think there are any local dealers near me and I live in metro Atlanta

Grace company provides support and is very good about it. I have a q'nique 21 after having a Handiquilter 16 for 8 years. Loved the HQ16, but needed to upgrade from the pcquiter computerized system. The cost - just to add a new computerized system was too large. Q'nique, with computerized system was larger throat and not far off of the cost of just adding the ProStitcher to the HQ16, so I went with Q'nique.

I am happy with it so far. Have had some minor tension issues, but so far it has been operator error. I did purchase a second bobbin case because I was having difficulties with bottom tension that no amount of finagling the top tension, the sandwich, etc. would resolve. (I had dropped the bobbin case several times, so that might be attributable to operator error, too.) Tension is much better since that purchase.

I'm surprised that Grace hasn't gotten back to you yet. One thing I can say about Q'nique is that the documentation is better than the HQ16 user manual and it actually spells out how to do some of the maintenance.

I have the Q’nique since 2015 and I’ve never had tension issues. Both bobbin and top tension has been great straight out of the box. Never needed Grace Co. support but everything I read including on the Facebook page has been positive.

Leah Day has this machine and loves it. Check out her You Tube videos and you can ask her