You are not logged in. Login or create an account
|
Caring for HQ
Posted: Dec. 15, 2009, 3:43 PM
|
| I wanted to buy a HQ16 and decided to learn to use the machine first. I learned to use one and even quilted my first one from a local quilt shop. I was most troubled by how much care was required of the user. For example, the tension needed to be checked and adjusted everytime the bobbin or the thread was changed. I can understand having to oil the bobbin cradle every other bobbin change. I was even surprised by the stress I was given to have to make sure the bobbin winder winds the bobbin in the correct pattern otherwise it would jam in the machine. Before I make such a big investment I wanted to know does the HQ16 really need all this TLC? It seems a bit over the top. I understood a long arm is perceived as an industrial or commercial machine compared to the home sewing machine. From reading most of other people's comments I know that the HQ would be the best for my money and the customer service is excellent. I just don't want to be quilting and worrying about the temperament of the machine like I had read about some of the other machines. I also have four little boys and I am afraid I may not remember to do all the maintaince required. |
|
Re: Caring for HQ
Posted: Dec. 15, 2009, 4:49 PM
|
|
There is not much maintance required on an HQ16. We do recommend that you put a drop of oil on the little front shelf of the bobbin basket that the hook rotates on about every other bobbin change, but that is the only place that is needed to be oiled by the user. It is also recommended that you change your needle with every major quilt-as would be recommended on any quilting machine. As far as the tension, it is not temperamental. With any quilting machine I would recommend that you check the tension quickly (it takes not even 5 seconds to do)every time you change your bobbin. It is just a quick precaution that lets you know for sure the tension is still alright. Probably 90% of the time it will be. If the bobbin winder is adjusted right, the thread should wind evenly on it. There should not be any knotting or jamming of the bobbin winder-if it does, there is something wrong with it. You just put the bobbin on, wind the thread a few times around it, and turn the winder on to fill the bobbin. When it is full, it will stop and pop open. It is just as simple as that. The HQ16 is actually a very stress-free machine to use.
I hope this answers some of your questions and concerns. Kathi Salter Handi Quilter Studio Educator |
|
Re: Caring for HQ
Posted: Dec. 15, 2009, 8:11 PM
|
|
I'd like to chime in on HQ maintenance. I quilt all day, every day. Just as Kathi said, I oil the bobbin hook every other bobbin with 1/2 drop of oil. But before doing this, I brush out the dust bunnies in my bobbin area that is caused by the needle thread. I don't change my needle very often, about once a month. (25 quilts)
I think the most valuable lesson to have a problem free operation is to stay with the same thread in the needle and bobbin all the time. Anytime I change, fiddling with the tension is a frustrating experience. I know its not a popular opinion but I use Maxi-Lock thread exclusively. I have absolutely no problems with Maxi-lock. Good luck, Connie |
|
Re: Caring for HQ
Posted: Dec. 16, 2009, 5:37 AM
|
| Just to chime in from another user. I too brush out any lint and oil the bobbin area. How frequently depends on what thread I am using. Cottons make more mess. I mostly use So Fine but other threads work just as well with a small adjustment. The HQ method for setting the tension in the bobbin and then the top thread works great. This machine requires no more maintenance than any other commercial machine. I do a tension check before each project or if I change thread types mid project. After a short time it becomes second nature to do these things without thinking. |
|
Re: Caring for HQ
Posted: Dec. 17, 2009, 10:37 PM
|
| Thanks everybody for easing my mind. After reading all your comments I feel confident again that I might want to purchase my own HQ 16. All the lint check and bobbin oiling I can understand the need for it and I know I can get into the habit. When I was quilting my first one the top thread kept breaking. Usually when if I was quilting on my home sewing machine I do not need to check my tension when I rethread. When I was using the HQ 16 it wasn't until I needed to roll my take up rod up to expose unquilted work did I realize the tension was off since the last upper thread break. Since this was my first quilt on the machine I did not get into the habit when the upper thread broke two other times. By the way I know why the thread was breaking so that is not a problem. When I brought my completed quilt home I had to remove all the stitches that had the wrong tention. I then free motion with my home sewing machine. Do I need to check the tension everytime the upper thread breaks and I rethread? |
|
Re: Caring for HQ
Posted: Dec. 17, 2009, 11:02 PM
|
| Your top thread shouldn't be breaking, only breaks once in 100 quilts or so. But with each pass I take I do 2 things, I bring up the bobbin thread and hold both bobbin and needle thread with a medium firmness until the HQ has stitched out a few inches (I have the ProStitcher so this is a little easier but still can/should be done in the non-computerized setup). 2nd, I check the underneath of the quilt by running my fingernail across the stitching on the backing. I don't look each time, I just do the fingernail test. You should be able to feel abnormalities without bending down and looking. I can only tell you that the first quilts I did had all the kind of issues you have described. They were always caused by my inexperience (operator error) and rarely do I have these issues anymore. Learn how to test for the right bobbin tension before you load your bobbin into the HQ and once you figure out what tension combination is perfect, stick with that thread. Happy quilting |
|
Re: Caring for HQ
Posted: Dec. 21, 2009, 6:05 PM
|
| My teacher did show me how to do the finger test on the bottom of the quilt to test for tension. I thought that was such a brilliant idea I do that when I free motion on my home machine. She also instructed me to make a few "taps" to lock the threads in before starting out, as you said, and ending as well. The teacher did not tell me that the thread she had me use as the top thread might cause breaking with a beginner. It wasn't until after the second breakage did she inform me and I adjusted my quilting moves to compensate for that. I did not know whether I should have checked and adjusted my upper tension everytime the thread had broke which was a total of three times. I do know one kind of thread not to use. |
|
Re: Caring for HQ
Posted: Jan. 1, 2010, 8:07 PM
|
|
The HQ16 is wonderdul!!! I know of no other machine that you do not have to learn to time the machine!!! This is virtually a maintenance free machine. Just the oiling and cleaning of the bobbin area. I do change my needle with each quilt. They don't cost enought to not have a new needle for each macine. And every bobbin I put in I test the tension like HQ has shown. Take a look at their videos on this site. Remember if your bobbin tension is correct it is always the top if you have a problem. I love my HQ16 and am so happy I did end up with the HQ16!!
Judy |
Like us on Facebook
Follow us on Twitter
See our clips on YouTube