Starting search for a Longarm Quilting Machine
 

I would like to have a longarm by the end of this year. I do not have a lot to spend. However I think I can do it with what I do have. I a even looking at used machines. I know to test drive as many as I can. Any of you ladies or men who have one have ay insiders knowledge about hat to look for? Thank you for any & all help.

I upgraded to HandiQuilter Avante and love the machine. It is very easy to use and the stitch quality is great. Attend a larger quilt show and test drive the various makes and models...that are out there, you will be better able to make the decision. Good Luck!!!!

When I was looking for a longarm I quickly found out that the better brands maintain their value very well, so finding a later model used machine at a good price was difficult. (I wanted a later model machine to take advantage of technical improvements such as stitch regulation.) I wound up with Innova and have been very happy with that decision. I also advise going to quilt shows and trying all the machines. Keep notes on what you like or don't like, and don't hesitate to go back to ask more questions.

And also take a good look at the frame. Some have jointed rollers, others have a single piece. I don't have a dead bar, but wish I did. Adjusting the quilt frame every couple of passes is a PITB. Also, look at the composition of the wheels and what they ride on. My wheels are steel, but ride on plastic rails, which get dented (don't know how!) and deteriorate. I can easily purchase replacement rails, but you have to just about disassemble the entire frame, including removing the machine, to do it.

If I were starting out, I would probably look for an entry level Innova such as this one, either new or used:
http://www.innovalongarm.com/shop/in...ge-detail.html

So *much* depends on your budget, it's hard to make suggestions other than to try out a variety of machines. Quilt guild shows are a good place to do this.

If your budget does not allow the Innova, then I would look for a used system. I ended up with a Voyager/Hinty setup purchased from a quilt guild member who was upgrading. Others have found deals on Craigslist and from the two online websites that list used machines for sale.

This question seems to come up on a regular basis, there is some good information in this post -
http://www.quiltingboard.com/main-f1...m-t221787.html

Also, do a forum search for "longarm search" and you will find a bunch of threads on the topic.

My main advice is to try as many as you can before investing. Everyone is different, and will need different things. When you see many machines you can identify the features you want and hopefully get the one that fits your needs best. For me the top two items were hydraulic legs and a stitch regulator.

For used machines, the best websites out there are House of Hanson and Longarm University -
http://www.houseofhanson.com/formerlyowned.html
http://www.longarmuniversity.com/machines_for_sale.htm

Good luck!

I also wanted a long arm and spent a lot of time test driving different machines. I found my dream machine ... an Innova. The price tag was hefty, and even though I could have afforded it, I'm a practical person and I wanted to make sure that I both enjoyed and could use (well!) a long arm. So I decided to purchase a used machine to play with .. and if I liked it and became good at it, I'd get the Innova later.

I got a used Voyager on a hinterberg frame. I DO like it, and I CAN use it well enough to finish a quilt. My problem is time. I've had the machine since October and I've only finished one practice quilt and one real quilt. Until I can find more time to quilt, I won't be purchasing an Innova :(

i have an innova ....used some others in the past ...glad i got the innova don't regret a minute .....

Thank you all for your advice. I am planning on test driving as many as I can. If you have any other words of advice please let me know.

The A-1 isn't as well known as some of the others, but many fine artists have used the machine - including Jamie Wallen. I wanted a long arm, but I am a thrifty soul. Was actually going to go for the Innova and the 5 days of training when the training center cut ties with Innova. Then, somehow, I saw an auction for an A-1 with 12 ft table. It has all the bells and whistles and I got it at a terrific price. So I satisfied the deal in me and got a great machine. During one of my trips thru a large quilt show I tried several brands and really liked the Gammil which surprised the heck out of me as I had used a Gammil Vision in a class and was underwhelmed. You just need to keep looking.
BTW, my machine was a repo, at an as is, where is facility. That generally means you buy it and don't come back to them if it doesn't run. In this case the machine was broken down so no test could be done, but was told it ran. Got it home - nothing - sent it off to A-1, it was set up with a computer - it couldn't have run for them. So she got a spa treatment and the company paid for it and she's perfect and my bargain got even better. But if it wasn't for my wonderful dh none of this could have happened.