Will a frame fit??
 

I have an opportunity to purchase a used long-arm machine. The good news is that it is only 4 hours away. The bad news is that it is 4 hours away!!

It is in a center and their hours are the same hours that I work. I can take a day's vacation to go there, but I'm not happy about it. Seems to me that if they want to sell it, they can take an hour out of their weekend to show it. But oh well. So I have to take a day off work and it would have to be a day that my husband is off-work too, which is a Tuesday or a Friday. The roofers are coming out those days next week, so it would have to be the week after next.

My dad has a Dodge Durango that he is happy to loan out, and even offered to drive me down there. But then we realized that a 12 ft table won't fit in that. So I got a pick-up truck. But it's not going to fit in there either, unless the table breaks down. The woman that I talked to doesn't know much about it.. just that we need to come and look at it, etc, etc. Well, I don't want to drive the no airconditioning pick up down there just to find out that it wont fit! I figured for sure that the table will break down. It's an older NuStyle frame and machine. And I just thought about it.. if it doesn't break down, it's not going to fit in the house! I know that grace frame that I had came in a gazillion pieces but when I sold it, we tried to keep it together as much as possible so 1- we didn't have to take it apart 2- it fit in her SUV 3- she wouldn't have as much to put together.

If I have to rent a truck, that will cost between $3-400 so it takes the "great" out of "great deal"! However, if I just get the 23inch machine, take my convertible, save on gas, bring it home, buy a used frame locally for $300 and hope that frame supports that machine.

I would recommend using the frame which comes with the machine, even if it doesn't break down. My Gammill frame does not break down, and that is what makes it so stable. Stability is very important in a frame. I would also recommend calling them to find out the exact measurements of the frame, including the thickness at the thickest part, and make a cardboard mockup to use to try getting it into the house the way you think it will fit. Then you will know better if you can proceed. It's what we did. If you don't have large pieces of cardboard (remember you can't bend the cardboard at all during the exercise) you can get them from somewhere that sells large appliances like refrigerators, etc. And then ducttape the pieces to make your cardboard "frame". Good luck to you! Hope you can get it!

I hope I can too. It looks like my best plan would be to drive the convertible down, try it out and rent a truck (one way) there and bring it home.

On my Innova the rollers are all full length. I agree with justabitcrazy in that a stable frame makes all the difference in the world and is critical to successful LAQ. I doubt the dealer/sewing center will offer up the machine without the frame.

If you have a hitch for what your driving rent a u haul trailer. I agree about the mock up to make sure it's going to fit. It's allot easier to find out b4 you buy.

I just had one of those V8 moments!! I could use one of those cargo trailers!! They're only $30 and I think I can even afford that!!

Here is the manufacturer's website: http://nustylequilting.webs.com/quiltingmachines.htm

Call them and see what they suggest. If it looks anything like the machines they are setting up now, yes you can just take the machine and dump the frame. It is also possible that the frame it currently is being sold with is not the original. Can someone send you some pictures so you know?

Unless this is a super good deal & this is one of the more modern machines that Nustyle is selling & servicing now--I wouldn't be putting in for a vacation day. Some of the first Nustyle machines were iron monsters with the oil drip pan below.

It is a NuStyle 230 which they don't sell anymore. I hope the picture shows up. I can't find much about them. They still carry parts for it, so that's good. The only other info I've seen is what you've put on the QB!

The poles will come off and the side pieces the poles fit into. The poles will probably be the longest single pieces and they can easily be tied together and tossed into a pickup unless the base if the frame has all been welded together. It's not one of the ancient, oil dripping, cast iron behemoths but it does appear to be made specifically for the frame it is sitting on so putting the head unit on a different frame will probably need extensive modifications.

I can see the start/stop button on the right handle (front & back) but I would ask about a speed controller. It may be a "full-steam ahead" type. I doubt it has stitch length regulation or that a 3rd party product can be added for stitch length control. That is probably what most new users need the most unless they have the time & patience to teach themselves to self-regulate their stitch length. Some people seem to be able to just see/hear/feel the right movements & timing and people that learned on one of these older machines make the rest of us look incompetent--LOL. Unless you are truly determined to learn & have no problem teaching yourself--I would not buy this machine--much less lose a days vacation & rent a truck/trailer to go after it. Unless you live near Stover, MO and can drop in on the Nustyle folks often--I think you will be setting yourself up for disappointment. You maybe one of those "I can do anything or die trying" people and then it would be worth it if they are only wanting a couple hundred dollars for the setup.

I think you will be much happier saving your pennies for a more modern style of machine quilting system or even investing in one of the Juki/Brother/Janome/Pfaff/Babylock/Viking 9" straight-stitch machines & the $300 frame you found locally. That small setup has many more users that will be able to offer help & encouragement and you'll get a fine piecing machine if you later decide to upgrade or that machine-frame quilting just isn't your style.

The comment about the cardboard mockup made me think about something else. Do you have enough space in your home to setup a 12' frame? You'll need at least 13 x 4' of clear area and 14 x 6' would be better. My frame is currently setup at 10' and it is about 2' out from the wall on 2 sides so that I can get all the way around it.

I am going to pass on it, then :)

My apologies--I said my "frame" doesn't break down, and what I meant to say is the table doesn't break down. The legs all come off and apart, etc. but the table along the back of the machine is one huge piece, and what you have to worry about having room for and being able to get into the house and into the space you have chosen for it. It is usually 12-14 ft. long and about 4 ft. wide, several inches thick where the braces are underneath, and doesn't go around corners. At all. :shock:

Confession is good for the soul!
 

I haven't spent much time dwelling on this but I do appreciate good advice. It's probably too early in the morning to try to put my thoughts down, but I'll try. It'll be rambl-y...

There's no doubt in my mind that the machine has been well-taken care of. I have been searching for a machine with a larger harp for several months now. I have almost exactly what I need to buy this set-up in savings just for this. I had a 9-inch harp (juki) on a Grace Frame and didn't like the experience at all and sold it. The machine I quilt on now is older and I love it but I'm afraid of what will happen when it dies. I do have a back up machine but it doesn't like to FMQ.

I really think I'd be happiest with a sit-down, but couldn't resist the pull of a long-arm. Our bedroom is 18' long and has an exterior door to the driveway, so as long as it fit through that door, it would fit in the room. I have a big sewing desk set up, but wouldn't need it if I had a long arm. Anyway, I have been obsessively scouring Craigslist and found the Nustyle http://atlanta.craigslist.org/nat/art/3016463557.html and contacted them about it. I came to the conclusion that it would be too expensive for me to transport and thanked Debbie for her time and wished her well and thought "that's that".
A week went by, and she sent me an email that said they really needed to get it out of the way and they are flexible on price. So, my mind went into overtime, trying to make this work. I really appreciate Beverly being honest about it because that's exactly what I needed to hear.
I went ahead and pulled the trigger and my husband ordered me a new Brother 1500 a minute ago. I just never had a new sewing machine and it's scary to spend that much on one when you have a perfectly fine $50 Pfaff!! And I don't want to mess with a frame with a small machine. I can rent my fabric store's LA for $8/hour and I think that's as close as I'll get to owning one! I really didn't want this 12' monster in my bedroom!! As much as I'd like a $1600+ machine, I'm going to get the $500 machine instead. I can't find anything used, which tells me that nobody gets rid of them! :)

Ashley - didn't you have an almost new Juki TL98Q you sold because you didn't like it or the Grace frame? The Brother machine is almost identical, unless I'm looking at the wrong machines. I admire your enthusiasm, but the machine doesn't make the quilter, only practice and patience does that. If buying a fancy machine was all it took to make gorgeous quilts we'd all be rich and famous! I know you have patience because you hand quilt. :)

Hahaha, yeah, that was me! When I sold the Juki, the lady (who knows more about sewing machines than I'll ever retain!) said that it was having problems but she could take care of them. I thought it was me. I have gone thru a few machines in the past year. I gained a LOT of confidence with my Pfaff and practice too. I'm looking for more room to work and another machine when Pfaffy dies. Or to keep her alive a bit longer. I certainly don't need "fancy" but I do want more room!

If the frame won't fit in your house, sell some furniture to make room. ;)

LOL, Lots of room in the house, just no way to pick it up!

Good for you! I've been thinking the same thing lately. Please let us know how you like it! Do you mind telling us where you ordered it from and the price? I haven't seen cheaper than $599.

$532.59 and free shipping! http://www.amazon.com/Brother-PQ1500...8684019&sr=1-1 I should be quilting on it on Tuesday!

What does the "harp" area measure?

I would call the manufacturer too and then take it from there.

Wouldn't renting a covered trailer be less than renting a truck? Unless you don't have a trailer hitch on one of your vehicles.

Wow, Ashley, you really got a great deal!! I had no idea Amazon had them at this price. The cheapest I had seen was $599 w/free shipping from Allbrands. Now if I only had an extra $532.59 in the checking account! :-) Have FUN!!!!

The price keeps dropping. It's a dollar cheaper today than it was on Saturday! And I just noticed that it's coming directly from Brother (not a sewing machine store, like Allbrands) so they must be ready to dump them and introduce a new model!! Start saving up for it and you might get it for less!!!

I still would like to know what the length of the harp area is, if you know. I tried reading the dimensions, but am not sure of what I was seeing. If you are sure could you please let me know?? Thanks.

I only know what they have on the amazon site. I'll be happy to measure and get back with you when I get mine tomorrow! What specifically are you wanting to know? From the needle to the arm?

I bought one that long and was able to haul it in an 8 foot bed pickup truck. We just supported the long pieces with wood, straping the frame to the wood. We hauled it a home which was a couple of hours trip.

Yes, Ashley, from the needle to the arm. I would appreciate it very much and thanks.

Oh, well, guess I really didn't need to know.

I'm sorry, I responded to this, I don't know why it didn't show up

I didn't get the machine yet. It's scheduled to be delivered on Monday

According to the website, the harp area is 6"x9" on that machine.

The throat space is a 6" x 9" area.

Do you have a U-haul in your area? Our area has one day local truck rental for $19.95 per day. Whole lot cheaper then $300 and I know they have A/C :) and your frame will fit! Just a thought, Mona~

The harp is not quite 6x9. It's a little more than eight and a half inches from the needle to the arm and then about five and a half inches up the arm. Not much bigger than my Pfaff (7.5 inches) but a good step up from a regular modern machine.

The long arm in the OP has been sold. But I'm still on the hunt. You just never know what you'll stumble upon!