I am purchasing a Tin Lizzie . ..
Those who own one . . how do you like it???
Do you like the poles????

Thanks for comments . . . :-)

Hi BabsO,
I have a Tin Lizzie 18LS. I got it at the quilt show in New Jersey two years ago. I have only done about 3 quilts on it as I am still working and can't seem to find the time. The quilts that I did do came out nicely. I am still learning a lot about longarm quilting. There is a yahoo group specifically for the Tin Lizzie that you might like to join. I have gotten a tremendous amount of information from the ladies on that site. They are really knowledgeable. As far as the poles, I like them much better than the first set-up that I had. I used to have the Pfaff GrandQuilter and Inspira frame. It did a beautiful job, but there just wasn't enough space to quilt in. I went with the Tin Lizzie because I tried a few of the machines out at the quilt show and I liked the way that it moved the best. It was also in my price range. Good luck and have fun.
Brenda R. (New Jersey)

I have the older, 95 pound, Lizzie 18. I could not be happier with it. This machine is built to last. Mine has heavy, very sturdy poles, made from electrical pipes, love them. I don't know anything about the newer models but I love my machine (my husband says I pet it). I bought mine second-hand and it had been in for service and needle updating before I bought it. Congratulations on your new machine!

congrats on your new machine

Could you post a photo of your setup? Thanks, just never saw one before.

It gets set up tomorrow . . . I will send you a pix then . . .

Here's a picture of mine, the older model. The new ones have improvements. I have it set up in my kitchen, small house, we have to eat in the livingroom. I have disconnected the stitch length regulator as I don't use it. Excuse the backing remnants from the last quilt I did (still on the rails). :oops: I'm looking forward to seeing the new model when you put it up tomorrow, I've never seen one.

Congratulations. I'm green with envy. LOL

Congratulations on your new machine. I hope you will have many happy years & quilts together.

:hunf: I am so green with envy. I have been drooling over this machine for a year now. Oh if only I were born RIch instead of so darn cute! ROFL

TAA DAA . . Its up, now I need to figure it all out . . .I am pretty excited !!!!

If you decide you dont like it, let me know. I have a daughter who is almost 18 and wont be needing her room forever! lol

but really, let me know how it goes. I would like to hear what you think of the stitch regulator. I don't think I would NEED one but it sounds really cool.

It's a beauty, congratulations!

I am looking at the Tin lizzie sixteen (I think ) and the Bernina 440...can't decide between the two...any one can shed some light on either for me...I really think the Lizzie is my slight first choice...thanks, memepeggy

Looks Great. Congrats

I have a Tin Lizzie, have had about 3 years or so. I don't get to do as much quilting as I like, but I like the long arm and the frame. I've been pretty basic with stippling quilting, just did a baby quilt and tried different patterns for the sashing, etc.
I do have a question, if someone can help.

I seem to have problems with my thread breaking regularly during quilting no matter how fast the speed is.
Also, I've notice that especially at the beginning of the quilt the bottom thread is very loose and gets bunched up. I think this is what causes the thread to break. I have the quilt tight, I have the presser foot down, I have the top and sides basted, what else can I do to avoid this problem, it looks bad and I spend a lot of time taking out stitches and re-sewing.
Thanks

I'm suppose to get mine tommorrow...can't wait. I've been going over to the local Sew/Vac where I bought the floor model for training, etc. They are suppose to bring it and set it up tommorrow. I know how you feel.

I bought one used just recently -- it's currently being serviced, so it's going to be another week until I actually get to play with it much!

Congratulations. you will love her. I have one too. Had a few minor issues in the beginning but worked through them. I thought I wanted the regulated stitch and now I don't use it. I don't have a computer on mine either. Join the yahoo group--good info there.

Sounds like tension to me. Join the group in yahoo and tons of info there.

What kind of thread are you using? And what weight? I just got my Tin Lizzie in December and tried out various threads. I found that the thinner weight threads also broke for me. I do best with 40 wt all cotton thread in both the top and in the bobbin. I also think your tension may need some adjusting for your bottom loose thread--but it may help if you use the same weight thread in teh bobbin as you have on top. The Dealer that sold me the Tin Lizzie said she uses nothing but 40 weight all cotton thread--so I am kind of going be that. When I did experiment with other threads--I also had breakage.

I have the Tin Lizzie 18LS and am perfectly happy with it. I bought her used last year and struggled a bit at first. But, after I got the hang of it, I did okay. I don't quilt for others, just for myself and for comfort (aka charity) quilts for our guild.

What's the web site for the Yahoo group?

Big difference...I don't believe the Bernina 440 is intended to be put on a frame...I had a 440 QE and loved it, but I think the distance between the needle and the right side of the machine is about 7 or so inches, a far cry from the Tin Lizzie's 16", so really no comparison. That being said, I loved my 440, and now have a 730 which is an awsome machine, but would love to have a Tin Lizzie or any long arm. I do have a Juki on a frame which has a 9" throat, and it works well, but more quilting space would be awesome!

I am using the King Tut thread that they sent with the machine. I am using the same thread in the top and bottom. I'll check the tension. Thanks.

I bought a Tin Lizzie in May of 2010 and it has never worked longer then three weeks at a time since. The repairman from the dealer has been out several times but just replaces the part called the encoder and makes no effort to find the root of the problem. I have left messages at the company many times and they seldom call you back. One time Ernie Floyd, owner
of the company (he says) did call back, asked questions and said he would send a part the next day. The dealer called later and said they would not replace thaqt part and since then I have
left three messages and have never gotten a return call yet

I will have to check out that Yahoo Group as I'm very interested in owning a Tin Lizzie. I have heard such wonderful things about them and would really love to own one some day!

New to the sight and looking forward to hearing more. I have the Ansley 26 with the Phenox frame.

Cheryel

Sometime it has to do with the bobbin and it needs a little tightning, If your thread is to loose it will cause it to bunch up. Getting the tension right, I think is one of the hardest parts.

I have the Ansley 26 with the Phenox Frame and I love the frame, the only thing I changed or added was the barrel locks on the end to hold the clamps tighter.

Cheryel

Pat
What problem were you having that the dealer kept replacing an encoder? Was the machine racing (going real fast?). Did you join our TinLizzieLonarm group at yahoo?
It may be that you need a circuit board replaced, or really, just make an adjustment...I had to pay by credit card for the replacement board...and still had problem...so Isaac had me turn a little white screw on the board...fixed! I returned the first board & they gave me full credit on my card. The board is very expensive (500.00 almost) so, they do require a credit card to replace it. That way if you don't return the original...they charge you for it. That's probably why your dealer wouldn't order it for youl.

If you haven't yet, join the yahoo group, we have a few dealers there, and some really helpful users!

First, Are you bringing up the bobbin thread and holding it while you take the first few tiny stitches? is the quilt too tight on the machine? Have you resolved the problems?

How are you liking your Ansley 26 so far? I currently have my Tin Lizzie 18 for sale because I want to upgrade to a longer throat, but it seems very few people have the Ansley 26 yet, so I haven't been able to get an opinion on that one. I know my Dealer upgraded her Tin Lizzie 18 to the Ansley 26 recently and absolutely loves it. Just would like to hear a couple other people's opinions on it before I make a decision to go with that one once I get my Tin Lizzie 18 sold.

You can also try this. Take the cover off the back wheel of the machine and look where the little green circuit board is. Tot he right of that there is a wheel that turns (this is the wheel that is regulating the stitch length for the stitch regulator). Take a can of air and genlty blow off the tines on the wheel in case there is any debris on one of them that is causing a problem. Then look where those tines turn by that circuit board. There is a little u-shaped slot cut out of the right side of that circuit board. The tines on the wheel that turn, should go about half way into that u- shaped slot. If the tines are more than half way into the u-shaped slot, the machine may race and not stitch correctly. And it will do the same if the tines do not reach into the u-shaped slot at least half way. I recently had this problem and all you do is loosen the screw that holds that circuit board in place and move the circuit board so the tines on the wheel are positioned exactly at the half way point of that
u-shaped slot. It is such an easy fix. When you take the can of air and blow off the tines of the wheel, also make sure you gently blow off that green curcuit board. If there is any lint on the stitch regulator sensor that is located on that board, which also helps regulate the stitch regulator, it will also cause problems with your stitch regulator. I use the air can to gently blow air on the whole area about once a month to keep it lint free. It is all about keeping everything lint free on the machine to prevent problems. I haven't had a problem since I am conscious about keeping this area very clean.

This is an interesting topic for me. I have been daydreaming (wishing, hoping) about getting a long arm. I have been considering the Ansley 26 versus the Tin Lizzie 18 the price is about $3000 difference. I was thinking if I got the shorter one then I would regret it? Anyone have any suggestions? crafty_linda_b

It depends on the size of the quilts you will be doing, and how much room you have for the frame.