Very frustrated with my longarm
 

I have a Tin Lizzie longarm machine. I have been struggling with skipped stitches. I have been asking on another forum about how to help. I think they have given my all the advice they can. Maybe someone here can help. Here is a list of what I have tried.
1. I scrubbed the poles with a scotch brand scrubby.
2. I have leveled my bars.
3. I have adjusted the tension.
4. I have changed the o rings on my encoders.
5. I have cleaned the encoders, bobbin casing, wheels, and everything else I can clean.
6. I have changed my needle, straightened it, and made sure it is as far into place as it will go.
7. I have adjusted the bobbin tension.

The skips happen in the same general latitude if that makes sense, about 4 inches from the back bar.
Anyone have any ideas? I am desperate.

Sorry. Did you buy this from a dealer?? If so, I would contact them. I am so sorry for your frustration.

ManiacQuilter2, my husband got it for me about 5 years ago. It was a surprise and he didn't know the importance of having a dealer. I know it still isn't under warranty.

since it seems to be happening at the point where you extend your arms the most, maybe you are slowing down too much there. just a thought.

Is your quilt sandwich a little baggy? It should not be drum tight. Everything should be smooth, then loosen the sandwich on either the take up roller or the quilt top and backing rollers until you can grab the end of a finger (almost up to the closest knuckle to the fingernail) with your other hand, when the finger is pushed up from underneath the quilt sandwich. You need the sandwich to be able to flex with the machine's movements so the needle doesn't have to. If the needle flexes, it may miss where it needs to be at the instant it needs to make the stitch.

try calling the company. years ago I heard they were very good with customer support. I think there is a yahoo group for tin lizzie also.

Most all the reviews posted about Tin Lizzy customer service have been negative. Two guild members have a Tin Lizzie and they have had nothing but trouble with customer service. One was told sorry, we can't help you, call your dealer. The dealer died a year after the machine was bought.

years ago I belonged to this yahoo group as I had a viking megaquilter and inspira frame. they were very helpful and I believe the 18" machine is the same as the tin lizzie or was https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/...ndQuilter/info Additionally since I was considering buying a tin lizzie I belonged to a yahoo group and it was very informative. I think this is the Tin Lizzie group https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/tinlizzie/info

Sorry you are having trouble. I ended up buying an APQS machine in 2009 so I stopped following the groups.

Sorry to tell you this but I went to a dealer to look at a Tin Lizzie and she said she no longer sells them. Said people had so much trouble with them she refuses to sell them any more. Said she is not going to sell something that people are unhappy with.
However, if there is a dealer in your area or a good sewing/longarm machine repair person, he or she may look at it for you.

there also appears to be some youtube videos https://www.youtube.com/user/TinLizzie18/featured I don't know if they will help for future reference.

also there is a lot of getting to know your machine with any longarm. it's frustrating at times but keep trying. sometimes turning the eye of the needle slightly left like 6 to 6:30 on a clock helps. clean bobbin area, change size of needle, loosen or tighten sandwich.

you could also post on www.mqresource.com which is a machine quilter's forum and see if they have suggestions.