Used longarms with frame
 

I am looking for a used or refurbished longarm with frame. I have never longarmed and have watched YouTube videos of it and have been checking out things online but I need one that is great for beginners on a 10 foot frame with the ability to make it smaller if I need to. Any suggestions?

I like my Voyager 17/Stretch Hinterberg frame setup. It's a good combo for a beginning frame quilter. Mine has 10-foot rollers which is pretty standard since these are the easiest to purchase from a big box store. To make it smaller, all you do is purchase shorter rollers and switch them out. Places to look are:
http://www.hinterberg.com ($4,000 for a refurbed Voyager with stitch regulator and frame)
http://www.houseofhanson.com/formerlyowned.html
http://www.longarmuniversity.com/machines_for_sale.htm

There is also a nice Yahoo group called HinterbergQuilters where you can find fellow owners offering info and support.

Do you want a LONG arm like a 24 or 36" gammil or a mid-arm like an 18/19" handiquilter or baby lock? How much are you willing to spend? Do you want to use it free hand or do you want an automated system? These are all consuderations

I dont know. Is the 24-36 the throat size? What does it matter if you are using a frame? I am assuming that free hand means that you have handles and direct the machine in a free motion way but moving the needle instead of the fabric?

I recommend at LEAST trying one. Actually loading a quilt on and giving it whirl. Watching you tube videos is really not the way to decide to make this investment. We have some posters here who realized that loading a quilt was something they didn't want to do so did not pursue getting a longarm. Even a used mid arm setup (16 to 18" inch throat space) will run a few thousand dollars. I recommend finding a dealer or quilt show near you where you can actually try one out. Some LQS have rental programs where you take a training class before they let you rent. Watching youtube videos is really not the way to make this kind of decision. Most people research longarm machines for about a year, trying different models etc before actually deciding what to purchase.

I highly, highly recommend you check around your area for longarms that are available for rent by the hour. This will give you a much better sense of what you want and how it works.

I agree with Peckish, go to a large quilt show and try various manufacturers...and look for a place that will rent you time on theirs to get some "real" time on one to see how they work. I also agree with Prism, the Voyager/Hinterberg set up is one of the least expensive mid arms. I have one and I am still bonding with mine :)

Thanks for the info!

Great idea. I didnt know you could rent the use of one.

Thank you for the advice. I have decided that this is the best option. I will check around to see who does rental of time and see what I can learn.