Frame extension causes sagging.
 

We recently got and installed a 2 ft extension for our BL Villa frame (same as HQ Loft). Adding the extension pieces to the poles results in the take up and idler bars sagging "significantly" - especially when a quilt is loaded and under tension. Does anyone have tips that they've tried to fix or lessen the sag? Thanks.

Did you add more legs to support the extension?

Yes. There was one center leg before where the frame table connected. The extension kit came with another leg, so now there are two (and only two feet apart).

The table itself is square and level, and feels solid, and the carriage glides smoothly.

The "feet" on the bottom of each leg are adjustable. You should have received a special pressed-metal wrench to turn the big nut on the bottom of each leg. Or, you can use a monkey wrench. Think about righty-tighty, lefty-loosey, only upside down. So.... counter-clock-wise will lower the frame, and clock-wise will raise it. You don't need a level to check if you're straight. Just gently roll the sewing machine to see which way gravity is pulling it. Check it forward/backward and side to side, then adjust the feet up or down as needed for each leg.

For those giving advice on leveling the table, the OP is having a problem with the idler and take up bars, not the table. The bars are what's sagging because they're now longer.

I'd consider asking on one of the HQ FB groups - someone has likely come up with a means of stiffening the bars.

I had problems with the bars sagging on an early frame I had. Unfortunately, the problem was that they were made of aluminum which just sagged under the weight. Some of the people with the same frame actually replaced the bars with a heavier weight bar. I think her husband was handy and got the pipe at a construction store and cut to size. A bit too much of a fix for me to do.

mkc - I actually belong to both HQ and Baby Lock FB groups. Don't know why I didn't think to ask there...Thanks!

sewingpup - I'd wondered about doing something exactly like this. I'm actually pretty handy, but it's nice to see a YT video of someone else doing it first...:)

sloscotty - you might also look at the wall thickness of the bars - I assume they're just PVC. If they're thin you could replace them (you'd have to cut to length) with a higher schedule from a home improvement store. That would also let you do a single piece per bar rather than have joints at the extention.

Your rollers are PVC???? 😳 Mine are steel...

I just read your thread. When I built my DIL backdrop for her wedding I had that sagging problem with the pvc due to the long span. I got a piece of alum conduit with a smaller diameter and slid it inside the pvc. Don’t see why that wouldn’t work for you.