Long-arm quilting machine question
 

Hello everyone!

I am starting to look for my first long-arm quilt machine. I am looking for some feedback from y'all on what machines you like, what you think is important in a machine and what isn't so important. So far, I have found that Gammill seems like the Cadillac of them - costing about what I paid for my car... I realize that cost is relative, but I would like to know if anyone out there found any decent brands that perform like the big boys?? Anyway, any responses are appreciated. It's a big investment. TIA.

I dont know how much you plan to quilt but the Nolting machines are good starter machines and are not real pricey. They have excellent customer service. Look at their website, they have used machines also. I have the FunQuilter 17. I quilt for myself and have a few customers.

I was sold on the Gammill 16 years ago when I test drove a Nolting, A-1 and Gammill. My Gammill has been a work horse with no problems. It has no stitch regulator nor computer, but I love it. Now there are a lot of machines out there and everyone loves their machine, but you will need to test drive and ask a lot of questions to find the machine that you love. I went to a quilt show last week and played with an Innova for a few minutes. It was fun, handled easily, but I'm still sold on my Gammill.

It really helps to start with your budget. That will eliminate quite a few machines.

I have a Voyager 17 with Hinterberg frame that I bought for $3,000 some years ago. This is a fine setup for an entry level quilter. My dream setup would be an Innova with lightning stitch, but it is costly for what I would use it for (just my own quilting).

I recommend looking at dealer sales of used machines also. In 2009 I bought a used 2003 APQS millenium. It is still going strong.

Everyone has a favorite. Mine is the Innova.

I second the innova

I learned on a Nolting funquilter at a store where I worked. When i retired I bought a used HandiQuilter 16 for $5,500 about 3 yrs ago. "Harriet" has not given me any trouble once I figured what threads she liked.

The only other thing is I have not been able to find how to change the LED lights on the front handle bars, but I sew from the back...still I need to work on getting those lights fixed.

I have an older Nolting with a 26" throat, that I bought from a friend. The first thing I did was add a stitch regulator. That was important to me.

If I could buy any one I wanted, I probably would look at the Millennium with the hydraulic table. I've tried all the machines at the International quilt festival in Houston for several years. The Millennium was the smoothest. http://www.apqs.com/machines/millennium/

I have friends who have Gammills and Innovas. They would tell you to buy the ones they have. It all comes down to price and the feel to you. They will all have their off moments when the tension isn't right or maybe they just don't like the thread you are using and they just won't act right. The Innova with the computerized quilting program is one of the best buys. http://www.innovalongarm.com/

I bought my Gammill Vision 18/8 for around $10,000.00 which was comparable in price to a lot of the other brands. I love it!