Some of the longarms--especially the ones with Intellistitch/Compuquilter/ProStitcher added on cost more than 2 choppers! Your price range will help you determine which models to look at. Then which features you want now or can be added later will narrow your choices again.

Attending one of the large quilt shows is the best way to start your search.

I am going to be asking $70,000 for my bike and will not sell it for less than $65,000 so I should be able to buy what I want. And I do want the CNC option.

Billy

We love ours also, we have Lizzie stitch which allows you to copy a design, say a rose on the fabric and use it to sew out your quilt, It has horo. & vert. channel locks so important. The frame is so stable and looks so nice. It uses heavy pipes so there is no give like those telescoping poles have. It is just awesome...

i have the tin lizzie 18LS also and love it too. i only have mine set up queen size as largest because i didn't have any more room. i think you mean shirley stitcher don't you? i have the lizzie stitch - it's just built in to the machine but the shirley stitcher is extra bucks so that's why i don't have it. but i'm satisfied without that.

I have a Handi-Quilter, and I love it! It was within my budget, and has lots of features.
I'd suggest going and doing some actual "testing" of different brands and models. Ask if they have special discounts, etc. I managed to get a free table for my machine!
Best to you~

Thats one thing I will not do is the yahoo groups. nothing but bad experiences there. Shame there is not like a Consumer Reports for sewing machines or long Arms

Billy[/quote]

I wont do the yahoogroups either, I was so badly verbally assaulted in the cat world they crusified me and black listed me to the world because I export some of my kittens overseas they even put my home address and phone number up for the world to see, I ended up talking to my local politician and he threatened them but it didn't make any difference, It was ok for them to have a go at me but when I retaliated verbaly I was again crusified, so I don't go there anymore. it isn't worth the effort

Just found this tread and wanted to put in my 2 cents worth in here.
Nolting Pro 24!

My DH and I were went to AQS show in Knoxville, TN last month. We 'test drove' most of the Long Arms that were at the show and came out liking 2 of them. One was the Gammill and the other was Nolting Pro 24. We liked the Nolting a little better for a couple reasons. The customer service we got from the rep and:

1) Nolting is still made in the USA (Gammill is now made overseas)
2) It does all we wanted it to and then some
3) The computer program is awesome! The size of the computer is smaller than on the Gammill which is great! Less of a dust collector.
You can design your own patterns and save them onto the computer and set it to do it's thing! (You can on the Statler also)
4) the wheels to the LA are secured so the machine can't be lifted up or bumped out of place accidentally.
5) It operates very smoothly!
6) Stitch regulator
7) Hydraulic lift so you can sit and quilt or stand and quilt.
8) They don't loose much value if you want to trade in/up.

Cost of near or to mid $30K. for everything.

There is a "Quilting with Machines" show in Huron, Ohio in September. Several mfg will be there with training and a show!
We are hoping to go!

Good luck in deciding.
Good luck!

I haven't seen anyone mention the Crown Jewel by Babylock, I saw it at a show last year and was very impressed with that model. Has anyone seen that entry?

Billy go to a large quilt show and try them all out. That is what my friend did and she like the handi quilter. Number one she like the easy of its use and she could get help from a local shop if she needed it. She also liked the price. I think she got a middle of the road one. This was couple years ago.

Re: LaCresta Long arm
 

Has anyone purchased the LaCresta or tried using it? I'm interested in purchasing one, but I want to make sure that it stands up to what it says it will. I do like the idea that the company comes in to install the machine and shows you how to use it. I also like the feature that you can raise and lower the table so you can either stand or sit. I would, however, like to see some customer feedback on the performance of the machine. I think Martelli is a good company. I recently sent back a 45mm cutter because a piece broke off. I was told that it would be replaced. That's service if you ask me. So, if there is anyone out there who has purchased a La Cresta, please....feedback......

I would suggest going to an AQS quilt show if there is one near you. I go to the one in Lancaster, PA every March and pretty much every LA manufacturer is there so it is a great opportunity to try out all the different models and do a comparison.

I have a Babylock Crown Jewel. I bought what was local, convenient, and less expensive, and I regret it. Honestly, the machine is fine and will do what I need it to. But the machine is far from the whole story. I now realize how important a high quality frame is- I find the grace majestic severely lacking. Plastic ratcheting gears-which have already broken once and have been replaced-definately not going to last. I'm afraid to tighten them where I would like to as they will break on me.
I would definately try to load a quilt before settling on a machine-look for more of an industrial frame which will withstand the test of time. If I had to do it over I would go with an innove or A-1.

I have the Innova 26”x12 with the Auto Pilot; the new update n/c is fantastic! Draw your design then trace and record it. Resize it, change it. Watch the tutorials: http://innovalongarm.com/<o:p></o:p>
Phyllis nm<o:p></o:p>

This is why I bought the Tin Lizzie DLS18 last year. It is a good workhorse, all metal, and something about ballbearings or gears or something, anyway my husband being a mechanic as well decided it was the machine for me. It is a very basic machine, less things to go wrong with it and yet she purrs like a kitten.

I have two Gammills and wouldn't trade them for anything! You can go to the Machine Quilter's Showcase in Missouri the first weekend of May and try them all in one place. There are also a lot of classes and demonstrations there. Definitely worth the trip if you are serious about doing machine quilting.

I researched for several months before buying for a part time business. We bought the Innova 26 with autopilot which is Innova's computer system. In the running were APQS, A-1, and Gammill.each had really good qualities. A-1 is the lightest and easiest to move and they have 3 days of training in your home at setup which really helps get you started. APQS is very good and its handle layout is excellent but felt heavy to me.( I have RA so beyond stitch quality which I felt was first and foremost, ease of movement was second for me). Gammill surprised me. I heard from quilt shop owners that they were clunky, leaked oil and were behind the times even though they were first to the game. I should have known that wasn't true. It was our second choice and was light and very maneuverable.

We ended up picking an Innova. I love what the company is about. A family owned business that is reinventing itself in some ways. They have really thought about the quilter and what we need. They are constantly coming out with improvements and upgrades. They have a bobbin sensor of sorts, a thread breakage sensor, an awesome stitch regulator(why we ultimately bought it, the stitch quality is perfect all the time), etc. the design is awesome and sturdy. Their computer system is called autopilot and is another reason we chose Innova. With the upgrade, it really has become simple to use and the way it is designed it eliminates the chance of "drift" in your quilt designs. Their customer service line is truly 24 hours a day. I have had multiple conversations with the owner regarding issues I had when I first started and he is a phone call a way. I do think they need to improve on documentation. If they had more written explanations about basic things, customers wouldn't have to call the company. I have been struggling with tension recently, but I watched some YouTube videos and read the companies service bulletin and I have finally seemed to concur that beast. I could have called but wanted to try on my own. I know I sound like a commercial, but I'm really happy with my choice. Also, buying the computer system allowed me to start finishing quilts almost right away. I'm grateful for that:) there is a good support system at yahoo for both the longarm and the computer system....I know...I know...

Anyway, that's what we picked and why. I wouldn't go smaller than 26, find something that has great stitch quality in and out of points at all speeds, decide what things are most important to you and try them out:)

I have a Tin Lizzle 18LS and have just purchased the Shirley Stitcher II to go with it. I bought it because it probably the most affordable machine out there. It is a great machine for the $$ if you can learn to balance the tension and learn how to diagnose and correct problems. The biggest problem are the cords are not contained and they get hung up on everything. I have been able to find ways of rigging it so that they are out of the way. As far as service, both my local dealer and Tin Lizzie are seriously lacking in their Customer Service skills so I have had to have the patience to research the answer to the issues I have had. I bought the Shirley Stitcher at Christmas time and I am still trying to get it to work properly. I have most of the bugs worked out and have found lots of help out there from other Tin Lizzie/Shirley Stitcher owners. I bought the Shirley Stitcher because I hate doing Panto/working at the back of the machine but some customers want E2E designs or a combination of that and custom. I thought it would be nice to have the ability to record a motif and repete it however, you have to keep the belts engaged to do that and the movement is not nearly as fluid and I have not yet mastered that. I love to do custom work and use rulers. I mostly quilt for myself but take on enough outside work to pay for the machine and to support my quilting habit.

I think it's really important for you to personally look at and try a few machines before purchasing. I have an APQS and have tried the Gammill and for me, I preferred the APQS. In our area, the service for them was better as well but I have no problem at all with the machine being light. It's never bounced and it's much easier to quilt with as it is lighter weight. It's mostly going to come down to what feels best for you. Mine has stitch regulator and I would suggest that for sure. Check them out though and see what fits you best.

did you purchase a Martelli LaCresta?

Well...my recommendation is for you to go to the trade shows, or quilt shows, and try all of em- see which ones you like, and what features you like. I prefer my quilts to be hand guided, if they are done by machine, its too smart for me cuz im no computer jenius. But do be mindful of options, a stitch regulator is a must. Prob even best to buy your machine at a show, cuz youll get a better price. Another thing is finding a dealer- what if something goes wrong with your machine?
How long are you willing to drive to get it fixed? I have to say I bought mine at a show and never looked back-
bad thing is, have taken it to the dealer a few times, like 3 or 4, and he never fixed the problem, Im from Ohio- so I had to purchase an empty box- which almost cost me $100. and had to ship it to Utah. long story short, I sent it back to the manufacturer just before t-giving and i got it back after the first week of december, with quilts piling up.
Anyway, was thrilled with the service, havent had a problem since!! Handi-Quilter 16 all they way baby!! love it
katz

Try this website www.longarmuniversity.com they have a listing of used longarms and I believe that you purchase directly from the lister.

This machine is made by Handiquilter. I saw them being made when I went to the factory.

You both need to try out all the machines at a quilt show. I think all the machines do the job, but for me Gammill was tops, and that's what I bought, and I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE her! I think the vertical and horizontal channel locks are extremely important features to have--I use them all the time. One feature which is not important to have is the automatic thread cutter underneath--the reason is that it doesn't cut right next to the quilt back, and you have to go back and re-cut all the thread tails by hand anyway, plus, if you want to bury the threads they are cut really short, and hard to bury. It's best to bring the bobbin thread to the top of the quilt and just deal with the thread tails by hand.

I know there are many satisfied APQS owners out there, and I don't want to offend anyone, but my honest opinion to you is that I didn't like that the APQS machines I tried (all of them, at many quilt shows, as I waited years before buying anything) all hesitated to stop sewing when I stopped sewing. By that I mean the machines took several stitches after I intended for it to stop. So that was not a good machine for me--I didn't want to have to adjust to that. I figured there's enough of a learning curve to longarming without that, too. Just MHO, since you are wanting honest observations here.

Since you are planning on going computerized, you really need to look closely at how the computer moves the machine. I know someone who sold the Gammill she loved when she decided to go computerized, because she wanted to switch to an A-1 for computerized stitching. I can' remember the specifics, but there was something about the way the computer would move the machine that she preferred the A-1 for that. I have no intentions of ever going computerized, so I am thrilled with my Gammill, as is. The best thing you can do is to test drive as much as you can, and really try out all the features of every machine, so you'll know what is important to you and what isn't. Everyone has slightly different priorities, and it all makes the world go 'round. Have fun shopping! You'll both love it when you get going.

Not so happy, not much technical support
 

Only one person knows anything about machine. If he is not available you are out of luck.
[QU;1215079]Have you seen this? I think it's fantastic!

.....The Martelli LaCresta long arm quilting machine is built to never see the service technician once the machine is installed. This is one long arm quilting machine you have to see....


The Martelli website is under construction but here is a description of the LA.
http://www.caldwellsewvac.com/martelli-lacresta.php[/QUOTE]

I suggest looking at mqresource.com It is a machine quilters forum and has lots of helpful information including a subforum on comparing machines.

I have an APQS and am very pleased with the machine and their customer service. I bought it used in 2009 (it is a 2003 machine) and I haven't had any problems.

Check out www.sunshine16.com. Nice machine, made in USA. Talked to the designer and builder and will most likely purchase this machine when I am ready for a long arm.

Looked at many machines at PIQF last week. I was impressed with Innova's panto features. It can enlarge and fit to the quilt by computer so the #rows and length fits. Then the operator stands on the needle side of the machine and looks straight ahead to the computer screen rather than down at the table to a lazor on paper. Appears the ergonomics would also be an improvement.

There are many options. I would really encourage you to take your time, research and try all of them out. I did learn that I needed a 12 foot long table and about a 26 inch opening for what I wanted it to do, king sized quilts with 12 in. blocks on point. The throat opening from the machine determines how much space you have without rolling the quilt.

actually my pocket book was my determing factor I found a used one that I could afford tried it out and liked it that was in January I simply love it now