mamaahma Posted May 13, 2015 Report Share Posted May 13, 2015 Does anyone have an idea why my machine would get hard to move in the middle of the quilt? In about the middle third it feels like I'm trying to push an elephant around (and a stubborn one at that!) I have M&M wheels - it just shouldn't be this hard! The stitches are great, the thread never breaks - ideas, anyone? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
barbm Posted May 13, 2015 Report Share Posted May 13, 2015 Are you talking the middle third of the table? It could be that your table width has changed just a little bit, so that the wheels aren't riding on their "sweet spot" in that area. It could also be that your table is drooping in the middle just a little bit. What size table do you have? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mamaahma Posted May 13, 2015 Author Report Share Posted May 13, 2015 It's a 12' table, Barb. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Busy Quilting Posted May 13, 2015 Report Share Posted May 13, 2015 Check the table and then are the Cords hanging up on something? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mamaahma Posted May 13, 2015 Author Report Share Posted May 13, 2015 Thanks Lyn - I did check the cords. They are plugged into the ceiling, and the only thing they ever hang up on is my neck! At first I thought it might be the take-up roller being bowed, but I checked that and it was level. Will check the table after dinner - thank goodness for this forum! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sue E. Posted May 14, 2015 Report Share Posted May 14, 2015 Did you turn your channel locks on by accident? This would make it very hard to move the carriage. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mamaahma Posted May 14, 2015 Author Report Share Posted May 14, 2015 Channel locks are off - it's only hard to handle in the middle third of the table. I'm disgusted - the harder I have to push, the more wobbly my panto looks. I think I'll go to bed - it won't solve anything, but I'll wake up tomorrow ready to tackle this problem with a better attitude. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
barbm Posted May 14, 2015 Report Share Posted May 14, 2015 Leslie, tomorrow morning, give APQS Service a call - they may have some more pertinent suggestions. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ffq-lar Posted May 14, 2015 Report Share Posted May 14, 2015 My first thought would be a skewed table. But maybe check your wheels. There was a batch of M&Ms with bearings that would seize. If your wheels have yellow next to the center, they may be part of the bad batch. Mine were worse at one end of the table---which doesn't make sense, but that's what was happening. They should be replaced without charge if they are bad. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Janice Posted May 14, 2015 Report Share Posted May 14, 2015 I will be happy to hear the answer to your problem as I , also, am experiencing the same thing. It is really hard to move the machine over certain areas of the quilt. I struggle with it. My shoulder and arms hurt . I have a Freedom, 12ft. table. I had the problem a couple of years ago and APQS replaced my M&M wheels. That worked until recently and It is happening again. We have checked for level of table, width of table, anything interfering with movement. We even tried adjusting the wheels. Thanks for bring up this subject . I was going to do that today. Janice Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mamaahma Posted May 14, 2015 Author Report Share Posted May 14, 2015 I have a call into APQS and am waiting for them to call back. Janice, as soon as I know what to do I'll let YOU know. I could've written your post - my arms and shoulders are killing me. Later...... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Janice Posted May 14, 2015 Report Share Posted May 14, 2015 I thought I had posted a reply but I don't see it. If this is a duplicate--so be it. I am experiencing the same problem with my Freedom. It is very hard to move the machine over certain areas of the quilt. I had this problem a couple of years ago and APQS replaced my M&M wheels. It was O:K unil recently. I am having the same problem. We have checked the level of the table , the height and width. I clean the machine rails daily hoping that will help. My arms and shoulder hurt from pushing & pulling the machine. I was going to address this problem today. Thank you for doing this. I am anxious to hear a solution. Janice Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BethDurand Posted May 14, 2015 Report Share Posted May 14, 2015 Probably not the solution to your problems, but those of us with pets have to be aware of why our machine heads are suddenly not moving as smoothly as they should. It's because the dog is laying on the cord and holding it to the ground. Making sure that it doesn't leap up and attack anything. Then he's so sad when I make him move. Poor boy. He's such a helper. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mamaahma Posted May 14, 2015 Author Report Share Posted May 14, 2015 That's too funny! My dog used to lie on the batting - that got stopped when I started doing customer quilts! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cegates Posted May 14, 2015 Report Share Posted May 14, 2015 Check the bolts that go through the center of the wheels to see if they need to be tightened. Sometimes they get loose and cause movement problems. Be careful that you don't turn the adjusting cams while you are doing this. I just did this on my machine and it does make a difference. Carol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mamaahma Posted May 15, 2015 Author Report Share Posted May 15, 2015 I talked to Amy today and, as usual, I think she came through. She thinks it's the table and sent me complete instructions on how to fix it (Janice, I can forward them to you if you want). I'm going to try it tomorrow first thing. Thank God for Amy! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
barbm Posted May 15, 2015 Report Share Posted May 15, 2015 Send to me, too, please, Leslie! Pearls of wisdom from Amy are ALWAYS welcome! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mamaahma Posted May 15, 2015 Author Report Share Posted May 15, 2015 It's WORKING!! Got info from Amy and went to work. Adjustments were minor, but oh, what a difference! Thanks to everyone who chimed in to come to my rescue! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kimjohny Posted June 2, 2015 Report Share Posted June 2, 2015 Hi Leslie, I was also on the phone with Amy today regarding the same problem. Could you possibly send me the same info you received? I would really appreciate it. Thank you so much, Kim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ruthie1 Posted June 12, 2016 Report Share Posted June 12, 2016 It's WORKING!! Got info from Amy and went to work. Adjustments were minor, but oh, what a difference! Thanks to everyone who chimed in to come to my rescue! mine machine gives me grief only on bottom part and only in certain areas, I think I might need to give them a call too. Thanks for the info Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GMALKB Posted June 12, 2016 Report Share Posted June 12, 2016 Maybe post Amy's information on here for all to see? Sounds like a common problem that many could use help with. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mamaahma Posted June 13, 2016 Author Report Share Posted June 13, 2016 I'll try to find it, meanwhile read my post on straightening leaders - it cured what leveling the table didn't! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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