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Should I buy?
administrator
Joined: Aug. 26, 2008
Posted: Aug. 13, 2008, 12:45 PM
I am currently a Grace Pro user with a Janome1600. I tried the HQ16 at a quilt show and now I am very tempted. Has anyone out there used both? Is it worth the up grade? I was a little discouraged by all of the talk on this forum regarding the tension issues, the sagging poles and the $200 light bulbs. Also the groovy boards are not as good as the Grace since you have stop pick them up and move them forward??? any advice? Should I talking my self in or out of this? Tell me what you think ladies?
Should I buy?
administrator
Joined: Aug. 26, 2008
Posted: Aug. 13, 2008, 1:21 PM
lfcquilter
I had a Grace frame with a Jukie machine(can't remember the model #). The Juki did not have a stitach regulator so I had a difficult time getting my stitches even. After I used the HQ Sixteen and a local shop I was hooked. The tension issues that are reported here are also experienced with other long arm machines. Each time you change your bobbin you need to test the bobbin tension, very easy to do. I have not experienced problems with my tension that weren't self induced, ie. lint in my tension disks or in the bobbin casing. I have used different brands of thread like Signature and King Tut and found them all to work well. I personally wouldn't trade my HQ for anything. I find great support on this forum and I haven't had to call tech support because the wonderful quilters on this web site have taken the time to put their experiences out there for all to learn from. I did my very first quilt without much practice because the pantographs are so easy to use. I haven't used the groovy boards on the HQ and I never got past the practice stage on my Juki/Grace to even try all the boards that came with it. If you can find a shop in your area go in and play with the machine and ask lots of questions. I wish I would have done that before I bought the Juki set up because I was never happy with it. Hope this helps.
Should I buy?
administrator
Joined: Aug. 26, 2008
Posted: Aug. 13, 2008, 1:58 PM
I had the Juki TL98Q on a frame and used that set up for a bit over a year. As you probably already know, if you have a quilt of any size, it gets a bit tight fitting in the arm. I got the HQ16 w/regulator and the large white QuilTable and have not regretting a single penny spent.

I tried all the "top name brands" and even had a deposit on one when I tried the HQ. After trying out the HQ, talking with the dealer comparing HQ with the brand I had the deposit on, I IMMEDIATELY went back to retrieve my deposit and bought the HQ.

With the "other brands" you will find you not only have tension issues, but you are given instructions on replacing switches, machine timing, replacing motors, rewiring lights, flywheel replacement and so on. I, personally, don't want to be a mechanic in order to quilt. The HandiQuilter 16 is a "closed" unit, meaning that you really don't have all of those issues to deal with (yeah!)

I did ask my dealer's tech about the $200 bulb replacement issue, since I found that one very hard to believe, and found out that the FIRST MODELS of HQ did have soldered in lights, and to replace the lights they had to be unsoldered, bulb housing cleaned, and bulb soldered back in. The new handles don't have this problem. But he did say, "The lights are LED lights and if you DO happen to burn one out, take the handle off, bring it in and I'll replace for the cost of the light bulb which is about $1.00"

You are going to have tension issues with ANY longarm machine. It is simply a matter of adjusting either the needle tension (amounts to turning a knob) or the bobbin tension (just like on your domestic machine) I do check my tension each time I have to do a bobbin change. I just do the drop test like they show in the videos on the website. Knock on wood, I've only had a problem with some VERY LOW END serger thread that kept breaking.

I don't have the groovy boards but am considering getting something similiar to them. There is a company that makes the "groovy boards" that are high quality, larger, and cheaper. Their website is www.rns-designs.com You can get the stylus for $35 and their boards are much longer and I think you get a price break (not sure though) if you buy more than one board. Also, the owner of rns is also an HQ16 owner.

I have had my HQ set up for over a year now and have done numerous quilts. I still love this machine and wouldn't consider getting a different set up AT ALL. I've not looked at the Pro Stitcher yet, and I'm not so sure I want to put that much money into a computerized system. To me, that takes out the fun of quilting.

Regarding the sagging poles, so far my poles don't sag. Yes, there is some give to them but that is actually a plus in my opinion. But if they do get to sagging on me, I can just buy a pole at the lumber yard and stick it in the middle of the pole to firm it up.

If you have any other questions, feel free to ask. I'm more than happy to help! I researched machines for over 4 years before buying my HQ, so I can pretty much tell you what you need to know.
Should I buy?
administrator
Joined: Aug. 26, 2008
Posted: Aug. 14, 2008, 11:36 AM
Gracie Owner -- I too had a Gracie with a Janome 1600 and had great fun learning with her! I could do stippling and meandering with the Janome 1600 but got frustrated when I'd try to venture into anything beyond that.

Now I've sold my Gracie (I had the Little Gracie II) to another person who is just starting her journey into quilting on a frame and have a HQ 16 (finished my first baby quilt last night) and am so excited to continue learning. The difference in the amount of space you have to quilt on the HQ is significant -- I'm ready to get into feathers and patterns that I could only dream about when I had the Gracie!

I am glad I had started with the short-arm -- I know now that I like the frame quilting and also convinced my husband that I was ready for the up grade!
Should I buy?
administrator
Joined: Aug. 26, 2008
Posted: Oct. 21, 2008, 5:45 PM
Dear Crashnquilt, I am dreaming of getting a longarm machine and would like to know what you found out about the advantages and differences between a HQ16 and the tin Lizie 18.
Thanks,
NannyB