Koda1021

Hi Everyone!
Hope everyone is well! I know I know..Yet another person (me) posting and asking advice on a long arm, but I'm at a bit of a loss. My mom and I have an HQ that we purchased last year, that has sadly wound up being a machine we cringe at even using. It was finicky with thread from day one to where we could barely go for 10 minutes without thread break (until we found just the right thread that finally worked). Then other issues that basically made the desire to use the machine unpalatable. We worked with the dealer that we purchased the machine from regarding the thread breaks, etc. but ultimately we spent more time fixing issues then we did quilting. And yes, it could very well be us in that once we grew unhappy, it was hard to bring us out of that.
Anyway, we still love the idea of a long arm and are looking around. We saw Gammill at a quilt show and my mom was in love. Of course, the machine on display was stitching perfectly and the sales person was nothing but gushing. But, I've learned my lesson that salespeople aren't there to tell you the truth. So even though I know Gammill is a big/good name, I still worry. I've been talking with a rep who has given me a good price on a pre-owned machine and wants me to put a deposit down, but I'm just nervous. So, I'd love to get other long arm owners opinions on the machines they like/use.
I should stress that my mom and I don't FMQ too much. We'd love to learn, but for now we mainly want good robotics that are intuitive for edge to edge, fill, etc. I did really like the Pro-Stitcher software, so it's frustrating that we had so many issues with the HQ.
I'm seeing a lot about Innova and there is a dealer a few hours away that offers service and support, which is important. Can anyone offer insight on service with their brand? I've seen a few posts regarding Gammill owners who have trouble getting service. That turns me off, especially considering the cost.
I just don't want to make another costly mistake considering the prices, so I would really love some honest feedback and advice. Thanks in advance!

lmanna

Sorry, I can't help. I have an HQ Forte with Prostitcher and use Glide thread with Magna bobbins. I LOVE it.

TBH though when I first got it, I struggled. I attended their retreat in Salt Lake Utah on how to use the machine and I haven't had any problems since. Have you considered attending their retreat before you buy something else?

Adam Sew Fun has a youtube channel with lots of older free videos using an HQ Amara w/ Prostitcher.

Koda1021

Yep, Glide thread is what we finally discovered worked best. I've literally watched all of Adam's videos as well, and even emailed him once and he was so awesome and replied to try and help me! At one point, it worked really well and I thought we'd worked out all the bugs, then at the tail end of a quilt, on the last row, the machine suddenly hiccuped and the needle didn't pull up all the way and it tore the lower half of the quilt. I turned off the machine and when I re-started it, I couldn't get it to do it again, so when I contacted HQ they couldn't troubleshoot and said it might have just been a glitch.
We've basically watched all the tips and tricks videos, you name it. I, unfortunately, work a full time day job so I can't attend a retreat. My mom is older and just can't do longer events. I've even considered taking it to a local repair shop for service, but I worry I'll pay for service in relation to bugs I can't really "prove" if that makes sense (since what happens is inconsistent).

tallchick

I started with a HQ Fusion in 2014, and a few years later invested in ProStitcher. The learning curve for ProStitcher is steep IMHO and convoluted. I felt that they made it that way so that users would need to pay for classes to learn to use it. I accidentally sold it in 2020 & just before the pandemic I found a used 32in Innova, fully upgraded with Mach 3 & the embroidery software. I got a great deal and drove to Virgina & picked it up just a few weeks before they shut everything down. All I can say is WOW! This is such a user friendly interface & so much easier to use, I am always amazed that it is so easy. They are designed to be serviced by the user and they offer 24/7 365 free tech support.
It was on wheels when I bought it, so I just rolled it into the trailer after removing the machine, and rolled it into my garage when I got home. I did not have help, but I did disassemble to move it to my basement and had to reassemble it myself too. His name is Claude and I have never ever had any issues with him at all. I wish I had bought an Innova to begin with. Do try an Innova and see the difference!

NoraB

I don't know if you have purchased another long arm, but I second the recommending the Innova. I have an 18" Innova and after the learning curve, I've loved it ever since. My dealer was able to help me with just some operator issues, but Innova has a 1-800 number and they have a technician on-call to talk you thru any issues or problems. Great customer support and it's a great machine!

Koda1021

I'll admit, I'm not super familiar with Innova. It seems I'm always bombarded with info (and sales calls) from the bigger brands. But based on the used prices and how it retains it value, it seems to suggest they are popular machines.
I saw the embroidery software, and I'm curious about it. It seems interesting! I also like the idea of a machine designed to be serviced by the user. I'm a tech person, so I'm not afraid to get my hands dirty! Thanks for the info!

Snooze2978

If off, go try out all the machine/robotics that you can before plunking down your money. I started out slowly with a 9" Viking MegaQuilter on a Grace Pro 10ft, then added PCQ robotics which worked fine but 9" doesn't give you much room to move around in so after trying out a friend's machine she had stretched to 18" (Juki 98Q) I was hooked and found a used Juki machine and put my name on the list to have it stretched. Sorry folks, I'm sure that man has long since died as his health was not good back then and that's been 14+ years now.

Anyway, when I started making larger quilts I decided someday I wanted to go larger with the machine and frame so went to my 1st quilt show in Des Moines, IA. I played with every machine I could get my hands on. The friends I went with, one of them had an Innova plus by that time I had moved up to MQR robotics which she also had so I knew my robotics would work on this machine. Came home with the brochures, told my mother what I saw and wanted, later she gave me the money to order it as she wanted her quilt done quickly. I did have to upgrade my MQR robotics so I took it down to TX where the folks were and had it done.

Years later, he went MIA so no longer support for the robotics and it started giving me fits so I started searching for another roobtic system similar to what I was used to. I remember the robotics for the Innova used a cable you can to disconnect and I didn't want to have to do that all the time and finally I cam across the IQ, watched every video I could get my hands on and decided that was the robotics for me.

Also with the Innovia, you have 24/7 phone customer service and most times Michael on the other end could walk you thru just about anything. Also with the IQ there are videos to help you with most any problem you might have with it. Just my take on this subject.

But again, try them out. Take some fabric with you and even threads you have on hand to make sure that machine will stitch with it. I found with my Innova, I can used just about any thread I throw at it including embroidery metallic threads.

BonnieJP

I can totally relate to your problems with your Handiquilter. I have had a Juki J350QVP long arm for 4 years. I LOVED this machine until the end of August when I started having problems with the thread shredding and leaving birds' nests. I had used Glide thread without any problems since the day I got the machine and never had any problems. I do a LOT of charity children's quilts for my guild (470+ in four years) so I actually have used the machine a lot. My dealer came out and said I had a burr on the hook assembly and fixed it. The machine worked okay when he left, but the next day the thread shredding started again. To make a long story short, I took the machine in for service to my Juki dealer 3 times. The dealer insisted the problem was with the Glide thread. That was funny because the Juki dealer at the Great Wisconsin Quilt Show was using Glide thread to demonstrate the J350. They were even using the same color thread I had been using when my machine problems started. Anyway, the hook assembly was changed twice, I got a new bobbin case, tried several different brands of threads, different brands of needles, different needle sizes, etc. I didn't even want to do any long arming ever again. I was ready to junk the machine, but then decided to give it one last try at fixing the machine. I took it to a local quilt shop that actually sells Handi Quilters. The HQ dealer adjusted the timing and needle position. Most importantly though, he showed me how to use a Towa gauge I already had but never used. Major game changer. He told me to make sure the Towa gauge setting is at 220 for the Glide thread. This dealer uses Handi Quilters and Glide thread for professionally long arming quilts so you know they have to be perfect. Anyway, I've used the machine for about six weeks now and have done about 10 quilts on it and absolutely NO problems. It is sewing perfectly. So my suggestion would be to invest in a Towa gauge and try setting the tension to 220 before investing a lot of money in a new machine. If you still end up buying a different machine, you would still be able to use the Towa gauge for that machine too.

Pam S

I've had a Gammill for 12 years and I absolutely love it. I do all the maintenance myself (they have great videos on their website) and have never had a service call. I've called tech support twice but the problems were easy to solve (one was operator error). Gammills are pricey but they are made to last. Mine is not computerized (I really love ruler and custom work) so I can't speak to that. I have friends who have bought used Gammills and love them too.

Spellingbee

Not sure what issues you’ve had other than the thread breakage, but I have a small suggestion for that. I have a Handi Quilter Moxie XL that I bought in April. At first (after the trainer left, of course!) I was having a lot of problems with thread. It would break, or shred going through the needle, multiple times in every quilt. It felt like it was happening every few feet! I tried everything I could think of - new needle, rethreading, fiddling with tension, changing the thread type - nothing worked. I was about to give it up as a lost cause. Then in one of my many google searches I ran across someone who said that some machines prefer the face of the needle to be canted ever so slightly to the right (think between 5 and 6 on a clock face, but a smidge closer to the 6). So I carefully twisted the needle the tiniest bit and it worked! I bought one of the little cylindrical magnets so I can tell exactly where it’s facing and I use that every time I change the needle. I’ve used So Fine, Omni and Glide so far, all without problems. I don’t have Prostitcher yet, I’m only doing FMQ, but I’m pretty confident it will be okay with that when I finally get it.