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gear versus belt driven--which is better? (Moderated by Sharon1952, EleanorSews)
Posted on: 3/9/09 12:01 PM ET
I'm in the most preliminary info gathering stage and am looking at the Gammil Classic and the APQS Millennium machines. The Gammill is gear driven and the APQS is belt driven, both manufacturers claim that their respective chosen processes result in a superior stitch quality or reliability.
I thought higher end sewing machines were gear driven? Are industrial machines belt driven?
Which of these drive mechanisms is preferable? Does any one have either of these machines, I'd love to know of your experiences.
thanks
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I thought higher end sewing machines were gear driven? Are industrial machines belt driven?
Which of these drive mechanisms is preferable? Does any one have either of these machines, I'd love to know of your experiences.
thanks
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Too much fabric to count...
Posted on: 3/9/09 4:08 PM ET
In reply to chrisquilts_2
Hi,
Before making any decision on a long arm machine you really need to do your homework. New systems are flooding the market and different options on each one of them. You will also need to decide on the type and size of frame.
I have a 17 inch Nolting Machine on a Hinterberg frame. It has the stitch regulator and is considered for the hobbyist. For what I do I am very pleased with my system, you can go to the Nolting site and look at what they have to offer. I would say the 24 inch is the most popular throat size for commercial use.
This is a yahoo group that I would strongly recommend joining. Angie the list owner has a APQS system, there is a little of everything on this list so you can get some good information. If you go into the files and link section of this list you will find great places to learn about long arm machines. Each one is good and they are all different, you really need to also go to quilt shows that have the machines on display, try them out and ask lots of questions for this type of investment.
Both APQS and Gammill have yahoo groups dedicated to that particular brand, join all of the groups you think you would have interest in. I've learned a lot and have bought some good book/tape that have been recommended from this list to help me perfect different techniques....
Between belt driven and gear driven, google industrial machines and see what they are....I would go with Juki and Brother then switch to different long arms.
I didn't realize the Gammill was a gear driven machine...interesting!
-- Edited on 3/9/09 8:56 PM --
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Before making any decision on a long arm machine you really need to do your homework. New systems are flooding the market and different options on each one of them. You will also need to decide on the type and size of frame.
I have a 17 inch Nolting Machine on a Hinterberg frame. It has the stitch regulator and is considered for the hobbyist. For what I do I am very pleased with my system, you can go to the Nolting site and look at what they have to offer. I would say the 24 inch is the most popular throat size for commercial use.
This is a yahoo group that I would strongly recommend joining. Angie the list owner has a APQS system, there is a little of everything on this list so you can get some good information. If you go into the files and link section of this list you will find great places to learn about long arm machines. Each one is good and they are all different, you really need to also go to quilt shows that have the machines on display, try them out and ask lots of questions for this type of investment.
Both APQS and Gammill have yahoo groups dedicated to that particular brand, join all of the groups you think you would have interest in. I've learned a lot and have bought some good book/tape that have been recommended from this list to help me perfect different techniques....
Between belt driven and gear driven, google industrial machines and see what they are....I would go with Juki and Brother then switch to different long arms.

I didn't realize the Gammill was a gear driven machine...interesting!
-- Edited on 3/9/09 8:56 PM --
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Pfaff P5.0, Bernina 560, Juki 654DE, Elna 745
Posted on: 3/9/09 9:49 PM ET
In reply to RadarRadiance
I'm finding that researching this purchase has become a second job. Thanks for the links on the yahoo groups. I'll definitely look into it. I'm VERY interested in user comments.
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Too much fabric to count...
Posted on: 3/9/09 10:23 PM ET
Qbot
18.8 plus quilt table
Here's a couple of links for Pfaff's brand new 18" Industrial quilting machine. From needle to throat edge is 18" and the height is 8". It runs very smooth, I have seen it in person and have used it. They also have a Qbot, a control panel that you can program and it will quilt your full 10 feet of quilt from one edge to the other. The Pfaff link also has information on their new quilting frame.
If I could find 10 feet of free space in my apartment............
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18.8 plus quilt table
Here's a couple of links for Pfaff's brand new 18" Industrial quilting machine. From needle to throat edge is 18" and the height is 8". It runs very smooth, I have seen it in person and have used it. They also have a Qbot, a control panel that you can program and it will quilt your full 10 feet of quilt from one edge to the other. The Pfaff link also has information on their new quilting frame.
If I could find 10 feet of free space in my apartment............
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Janome10001, Babylock ESG3, Brother ULT 2001, White 634D serger, Pfaff 1472, Singer featherweight, Singer 14T957Dc, Bernina FunLock 009DCC coverlock, Brother PQ1500S, Janome CP900.
Posted on: 3/10/09 9:54 AM ET
In reply to chrisquilts_2
Are you looking to do this professionally or just for your personal use? It makes a difference in what type of frame and machine you are looking for. Are you interested in free motion design and custom quilting or a computerized system?
I wouldn’t go without the stitch regulator if you plan on doing ruler work or pantograms, and you’re right…it can be a full time job researching machines! You can also pick up some great deals on used systems. Many people buy these and then decide it isn’t anything they want to do. It’s more work than one thinks and either you love it or hate it! If unsure and never owned a system you can start out with a used system or just buy a frame that will adapt a standard machine with it. You can pick them up for less than $1000 and see how you like it before buying a full-blown system. I’ve got about $6000 into my system and that is a minimal price! My system also isn’t covered under warrantee if I was to use it for a business so make sure you check into that. With the latest and greatest on Gammills you can easily have $30,000 plus invested, then you’ll need a studio to keep it up. Frames can be wood or metal, different sizes, stand-alone or table top, you’ll just have to “go” for it! Ha ha….
I first started out with a Voyager machine and had problems, it was one of their first manufactured machines, and they’ve greatly improved since that purchase. The “home quilting” yahoo group actually has commercial and home system users on it and everyone is very helpful. You can also look through the archives and get some ideas.
Formerly used machines.
Nolting used.
Long Arm University
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I wouldn’t go without the stitch regulator if you plan on doing ruler work or pantograms, and you’re right…it can be a full time job researching machines! You can also pick up some great deals on used systems. Many people buy these and then decide it isn’t anything they want to do. It’s more work than one thinks and either you love it or hate it! If unsure and never owned a system you can start out with a used system or just buy a frame that will adapt a standard machine with it. You can pick them up for less than $1000 and see how you like it before buying a full-blown system. I’ve got about $6000 into my system and that is a minimal price! My system also isn’t covered under warrantee if I was to use it for a business so make sure you check into that. With the latest and greatest on Gammills you can easily have $30,000 plus invested, then you’ll need a studio to keep it up. Frames can be wood or metal, different sizes, stand-alone or table top, you’ll just have to “go” for it! Ha ha….
I first started out with a Voyager machine and had problems, it was one of their first manufactured machines, and they’ve greatly improved since that purchase. The “home quilting” yahoo group actually has commercial and home system users on it and everyone is very helpful. You can also look through the archives and get some ideas.
Formerly used machines.
Nolting used.
Long Arm University
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Pfaff P5.0, Bernina 560, Juki 654DE, Elna 745
Posted on: 3/11/09 10:25 AM ET
In reply to RadarRadiance
I am clearly out of my league here. I had no idea the costs were so great until I started looking into it. $30000 seems like quite a bit for a hobby..especially when I have no where NEAR that kind of $$.
Thanks so much for taking the time to respond. I think I'll just put this on the shelf for a bit. My pre-conceived perceptions were just wrong. i thought the systems would be somewhat foldable, etc. But it seems like these are quite permanent.
Maybe I should look into the John flynn system where the frame moves, not the machine.
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Thanks so much for taking the time to respond. I think I'll just put this on the shelf for a bit. My pre-conceived perceptions were just wrong. i thought the systems would be somewhat foldable, etc. But it seems like these are quite permanent.
Maybe I should look into the John flynn system where the frame moves, not the machine.
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Too much fabric to count...
Posted on: 3/11/09 1:32 PM ET
In reply to chrisquilts_2
Chirs, you might want to look at the short or mid-arm machines and frames. They are not the huge investment as the longarms and there are a lot of ladies out there using them.
Posted on: 3/11/09 2:12 PM ET
In reply to chrisquilts_2
Look at the HQ16 by Handi Quilter. It is a 16" mid-arm gear driven machine with a frame that can be mounted on a table. The frame can be easily adjusted to do quilts from a crib size to a king.
You should be able to get the entire set up with a stitch regulator for under $9,000 with tax and shipping. It is easy to set up and easy to take apart.
You should be able to get the entire set up with a stitch regulator for under $9,000 with tax and shipping. It is easy to set up and easy to take apart.
Posted on: 3/11/09 3:28 PM ET
Has anyone yet seen the new Bernina 800 series quilter on their new "longarm" frame? I've seen pictures but no one in my area has one yet or knows anything about it. They must be available in Europe, though, for there to be pictures on the web.
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Betwixt mine eye and heart a league is took…. (Shakespeare)
Posted on: 3/11/09 10:34 PM ET
In reply to Natalie D.
I have the new 830, although I didn't purchase the "longarm" frame as I have an HQ16. I think it will work just fine for sit down quilting as the throats is 12 inches, but I wouldn't want to use it on a frame personally.
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Bernina 740, 700, and 430 -- Babylock BLCS, and Ovation -- APQS Millennium -- Vintage Singers 401a, 403, 404, 421g, 301, 15-90, 201-2
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