Tin Lizzie 18LS
 

I trust all my fellow quilters on this board and know you will help me out.
I feel like an expectant mother and need some help.
I have a chance to purchase a used Tin Lizzie 18LS. I really need some info on this machine.
Does anyone have any opinions? Is it a good machine. Any problems I need to know about
to help make my decision to take the plunge??? The owner stated no problems - she is the original
owner and has had it for 2 years.

I have this model and love it. There is a learning curve for all LA machines, however, so don't rush yourself if things aren't perfect. It has been a perfect beginner machine for me. I have had it about 2 1/2 years and am hoping to sell it and upgrade to a computerized machine this summer.

I have one and it's great. Like any thing occasionally we have had to trouble shoot it and there is some great information on tension somewhere on this board. I printed off months ago and it really helped. Hopefully who shared the tension information will respond.

I have the viking 18x8 which is the same machine and I really love it!!!! There is a great video on the tension on you tube.

It is a fabulous machine. As stated, there are learning curves, as with any machine, DMS or LA. I have had mine for a year now and LOVE it. The only tension problem I had was from dropping the bobbin racer on the floor a couple of times and bending it. Once my DH straightened it for me, I have had no further problems. As I get ready to start a new quilt, there are three basic steps that I do:
1: Kill all dust bunnies, including on the rails.
2: Oil the machine
3: Do the yo-yo test for the bobbin.

Watch all available videos here: http://tinlizzie18.com/service-and-support/
Read this section of the owners manual that shows the yo yo test for the bobbin tension:
Check the tension of the bobbin by holding the
loaded bobbin case in one hand. With one hand
under the bobbin case, hold the tail of thread and
watch as the thread flows out of the bobbin case.
A slight bounce should cause the bobbin case to
slide down the thread. If the thread slides out of
the case as you pick it up, it needs more tension.
If it barely moves down the thread or doesn’t move
at all, it needs less tension.
Use a small screwdriver to turn the largest set screw on the
bobbin case to adjust tension. Make very, very small adjustments.
Be very careful not to remove the screw as it is very small and
difficult to find if lost. Remember, righty (clockwise) tighty, lefty
(counter clockwise) loosey.
To place the bobbin into the machine:
1. Insert the bobbin into the bobbin case.
2. Holding the bobbin case pull the thread through the slot.
3. Draw the thread down and under the spring, making sure
the thread is in the highest position of the bobbin case.
4. Place the bobbin case in the machine. Always listen for
the pop as it engages in the machine.
We suggest using a soft bristle brush to wipe out the bobbin case
and the bobbin area. Canned air only blows the lint around. By
using the soft bristle brush you collect the dust on the brush.
Each day before you start quilting, unthread your machine past
the take up lever and remove the bobbin case, place a small drop
of oil in the bobbin hook area before you begin quilting. This will
clean out the fuzz and lint. Place a drop of oil in the bobbin hook
area. Turn your machine on to run at the slowest setting.
TIP: Lint has a tendency to build up in the bobbin case especially with cotton threads. A tiny
amount of lint can cause a huge headache! Check the bobbin each time you change it to keep it clean.
All this information is available in the Tin Lizzie Manual or in their videos listed on their website.

As I said, I love my machine. It runs smoothly and quietly, and I still say...It was the best bang for my buck...which we all look for these days.

I have the Viking version also and love it. Not fussy at all about thread, no tension issues. Not so thrilled about the frame, though. Too stiff to do really small detailed stuff, like micro stippling.

I have had mine for 3 years and have been very happy. Go for it, your quilting life will change forever!

Thank you everyone for all your comments and hints. I'm going to "go for it" . I have butterflies, I'm so excited and nervous.

I have one and love it! Like all new things it takes some time to get used to. Practice practice practice!!! It is only as hard to use as you make it. Check out the net for classes on how to long arm. If you already know how your 2 steps ahead of where I was when I got mine. They are a very well made machine, the company is great to work with. Ask the seller if you can come over and try it for a while, will she work with you on it? Having a live person to walk you through the first couple of practice sessions would be great. I did mine over the phone long distance! LOL it was crazy but the machine is so simple to use I was able to learn anyway. I had some problems with the machine to start with but they were operator errors LOL. Good luck! If you get it, I'm sure you will enjoy time spent with your Lizzie.

I'm in your situation, excited and nervous!! I have a Tin Lizzie 26LS sitting on my dining room table, waiting for the drywall to be finished in my quilting room before I can set it up. It looks like I'll be able to start setting it up THIS WEEKEND! Can't wait! I'm definitely going to be reading all the great posts from quilting board this weekend!

I have a Tin Lizzie 18LS and I bought it new. I did not get a good machine. It had electronic problems form the very first day. I was an experienced LA'er but had very little technologicall knowledge. It has taken me over 2 years to get my machine working right and I HAVE HAD NO HELP WHAT SO EVER FROM THE TIN LIZZIE COMPANY. They would not even return my emails or phone calls. If this doesn't scare you, it should. You might know that you have a good machine but there will come a time when you will need support and you cannot count of getting it from the Tin Lizzie Company. I also understand that they have an abnormal number of problems with their machines. This I heard from a local repair shop that fixes every type of machine out there.

That's too bad. Tin Lizzie has been good to work with us when there was a problem. Once we skyped so he could see the problem and walked us through fixing it. Of course the closest dealer is 4 hours away so that might make a difference.

I never contacted the company directly. I go to my dealer (he'd awesome and also my janome guy) i had to have the board replaced and he went ahead and got a new control for the right hand.

The reason I chose TL was because of my dealer.

I am having trouble with my Lizzie skipping stitches..like an inch or so! Have cleaned all the rails and rollers with no luck. Any other suggestions? Thanks

I had a lot of problems with mine racing with many tiny stitches all of a sudden and have said many a swear word at it. Lately it is working just fine, but the occasional racing still occurs.

mkfloeter: Mine was doing that, so I went through the basics: killed all dust bunnies, re-oiled, rethreaded, and cleaned the lint from around the encoders that run on the rail. Halfway up the rail on the left-hand side is another encoder (think that's what they are called) and I cleaned a tiny amount of lint from there. She is now purring in perfection with no further problems.