Go Back  Quiltingboard Forums >
  • Main
  • Very frustrated with my longarm >
  • Very frustrated with my longarm

  • Very frustrated with my longarm

    Thread Tools
     
    Old 07-17-2015, 02:05 PM
      #1  
    Junior Member
    Thread Starter
     
    glassnquilts's Avatar
     
    Join Date: Nov 2010
    Location: Georgia
    Posts: 258
    Default Very frustrated with my longarm

    I have a Tin Lizzie longarm machine. I have been struggling with skipped stitches. I have been asking on another forum about how to help. I think they have given my all the advice they can. Maybe someone here can help. Here is a list of what I have tried.
    1. I scrubbed the poles with a scotch brand scrubby.
    2. I have leveled my bars.
    3. I have adjusted the tension.
    4. I have changed the o rings on my encoders.
    5. I have cleaned the encoders, bobbin casing, wheels, and everything else I can clean.
    6. I have changed my needle, straightened it, and made sure it is as far into place as it will go.
    7. I have adjusted the bobbin tension.

    The skips happen in the same general latitude if that makes sense, about 4 inches from the back bar.
    Anyone have any ideas? I am desperate.
    glassnquilts is offline  
    Old 07-17-2015, 02:08 PM
      #2  
    Power Poster
     
    Join Date: Jun 2011
    Location: Southern California
    Posts: 19,127
    Default

    Sorry. Did you buy this from a dealer?? If so, I would contact them. I am so sorry for your frustration.
    ManiacQuilter2 is offline  
    Old 07-17-2015, 02:23 PM
      #3  
    Junior Member
    Thread Starter
     
    glassnquilts's Avatar
     
    Join Date: Nov 2010
    Location: Georgia
    Posts: 258
    Default

    ManiacQuilter2, my husband got it for me about 5 years ago. It was a surprise and he didn't know the importance of having a dealer. I know it still isn't under warranty.
    glassnquilts is offline  
    Old 07-17-2015, 02:27 PM
      #4  
    Power Poster
     
    QuiltnNan's Avatar
     
    Join Date: Mar 2011
    Location: western NY formerly MN, FL, NC, SC
    Posts: 51,430
    Default

    since it seems to be happening at the point where you extend your arms the most, maybe you are slowing down too much there. just a thought.
    QuiltnNan is offline  
    Old 07-17-2015, 02:31 PM
      #5  
    Super Member
     
    Join Date: Jan 2012
    Posts: 4,783
    Default

    Is your quilt sandwich a little baggy? It should not be drum tight. Everything should be smooth, then loosen the sandwich on either the take up roller or the quilt top and backing rollers until you can grab the end of a finger (almost up to the closest knuckle to the fingernail) with your other hand, when the finger is pushed up from underneath the quilt sandwich. You need the sandwich to be able to flex with the machine's movements so the needle doesn't have to. If the needle flexes, it may miss where it needs to be at the instant it needs to make the stitch.
    JustAbitCrazy is offline  
    Old 07-17-2015, 02:57 PM
      #6  
    Senior Member
     
    Pagzz's Avatar
     
    Join Date: Jul 2013
    Location: Dallas, TX
    Posts: 677
    Default

    try calling the company. years ago I heard they were very good with customer support. I think there is a yahoo group for tin lizzie also.
    Pagzz is offline  
    Old 07-17-2015, 03:42 PM
      #7  
    Power Poster
     
    Join Date: Jan 2011
    Location: Southern USA
    Posts: 16,074
    Default

    Most all the reviews posted about Tin Lizzy customer service have been negative. Two guild members have a Tin Lizzie and they have had nothing but trouble with customer service. One was told sorry, we can't help you, call your dealer. The dealer died a year after the machine was bought.
    Onebyone is offline  
    Old 07-17-2015, 03:52 PM
      #8  
    Senior Member
     
    Pagzz's Avatar
     
    Join Date: Jul 2013
    Location: Dallas, TX
    Posts: 677
    Default

    years ago I belonged to this yahoo group as I had a viking megaquilter and inspira frame. they were very helpful and I believe the 18" machine is the same as the tin lizzie or was https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/...ndQuilter/info Additionally since I was considering buying a tin lizzie I belonged to a yahoo group and it was very informative. I think this is the Tin Lizzie group https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/tinlizzie/info

    Sorry you are having trouble. I ended up buying an APQS machine in 2009 so I stopped following the groups.
    Pagzz is offline  
    Old 07-17-2015, 05:33 PM
      #9  
    Super Member
     
    Join Date: Dec 2010
    Location: Finger Lakes, NY
    Posts: 1,873
    Default

    Sorry to tell you this but I went to a dealer to look at a Tin Lizzie and she said she no longer sells them. Said people had so much trouble with them she refuses to sell them any more. Said she is not going to sell something that people are unhappy with.
    However, if there is a dealer in your area or a good sewing/longarm machine repair person, he or she may look at it for you.
    GagaSmith is offline  
    Old 07-17-2015, 06:19 PM
      #10  
    Senior Member
     
    Pagzz's Avatar
     
    Join Date: Jul 2013
    Location: Dallas, TX
    Posts: 677
    Default

    there also appears to be some youtube videos https://www.youtube.com/user/TinLizzie18/featured I don't know if they will help for future reference.

    also there is a lot of getting to know your machine with any longarm. it's frustrating at times but keep trying. sometimes turning the eye of the needle slightly left like 6 to 6:30 on a clock helps. clean bobbin area, change size of needle, loosen or tighten sandwich.

    you could also post on www.mqresource.com which is a machine quilter's forum and see if they have suggestions.

    Last edited by Pagzz; 07-17-2015 at 06:26 PM.
    Pagzz is offline  
    Related Topics
    Thread
    Thread Starter
    Forum
    Replies
    Last Post
    yweinst
    Main
    40
    04-13-2013 05:04 AM
    Snorky Lvs2Quilt
    Main
    16
    04-21-2011 09:57 PM
    EllieGirl
    Main
    11
    04-07-2011 12:09 PM
    Airwick156
    Pictures
    23
    01-27-2011 08:50 AM
    dkays
    Main
    19
    12-21-2010 11:33 AM

    Posting Rules
    You may not post new threads
    You may not post replies
    You may not post attachments
    You may not edit your posts

    BB code is On
    Smilies are On
    [IMG] code is On
    HTML code is On
    Trackbacks are Off
    Pingbacks are Off
    Refbacks are Off



    FREE Quilting Newsletter