SueD

Hi 2Guyz - I've seen this question a lot in the APQS fb user group. I managed to find one here on the forum as all I got with my Lenni (bought used) was a flimsy plastic one. Linda's Electric Quilters based in McKinney TX is an Innova dealer and they sell the Innova bobbin winder. It looks to be a speedy, heavy duty one like the APQS turbo. Plus it will wind both L and M size bobbins. It's cheaper than a new APQS turbo. https://www.longarmsupplies.net/products/innova-bobbin-winder

I release the tension also. Plus I move the machine so it’s off of the quilt. I don’t want oil to mysteriously drip on my quilt. Lastly, I turn off the power strip to my machine. Sue

Users can message other users through the forum. The email would come from the forum and can also be viewed on the forum using the envelope icon by your user name. You can see any other postings by the user in the forum by clicking on their user name. Have they sent you photos of the machine? Is the machine going to be shipped or can you see it in person? It could be legitimate - just be cautious. One other thought, if you have the name and the machine serial number, APQS might be able to confirm that info for you. Sue

If you're on Facebook, there are some longarm specific selling groups where you could list this. You can also list items for sale on Wednesdays in the "We Love APQS" group there. Good luck with your sale. It looks like a well maintained machine.

@browneyedquilter Hi Emily - I'm interest in these! Sue

@dbams Apparent spam is right - it reads like a line from the movie Jumpin Jack Flash.... "Dog's barking. Can't fly without umbrella."

You likely do not have the tension properly balanced. The threads should lock in the middle of the quilt layers. If you have "eyelashing" (straight thread on top or bottom, and the other thread looks like eyelashes coming off the straight thread), you need less tension on the straight thread and/or more tension on the thread creating the eyelashes. There are a lot of online posts and videos that address tension. Search for "balanced thread tension" or "balanced thread tension longarm".

You should be able to use any quality thread in your George. It really depends on the the look you want on your finished project. The polyester based threads will typically have less lint than cotton threads. So Fine is 50 wt poly with a matte finish, Glide is 40 wt poly with a sheen. You can also use different threads in the bobbin and the top. Just remember to check the top and bobbin tensions if you change threads. You may need different tension settings even if the thread is the same weight. Quilted Joy does have a thread sampler pack with different weights/brands - it's currently $93. You may need to change your needle size up/down to match your thread.

When your carriage/machine moves, the larger wheels make the smaller/rubbery encoder wheels turn. The encoder wheels tell the machine head (through the cables) how fast the machine is moving which tells the machine how fast to move the needle up and down. Look in your manual and check that all your encoder cables are firmly connected in the right slots. If those aren't connected, then the machine wouldn't get the "message" that it's moving and should make stitches. Check that your encoder wheels are properly adjusted and making good contact with the head/carriage wheels. If you have a bliss frame, there's only one encoder wheel. Other than that, you may need to call APQS unless someone else here has any other suggestions.

When you say it won't "run at all", what does that mean? Does it have power? Have you checked the fuse(s)? Have you checked all the cable connections? If you happened to unplug them, make sure you have them all reconnected correctly. It's possible to get them switched around. What is your stitch length set at? If you've turned it as low as it will go, the machine won't sew. Increase it a bit. Does it work without the stitch regulator on? Regarding the vibration/bounce in manual mode, did that happen at multiple speeds or just one particular speed? The motors can have a harmonic vibration at a certain speed and may not vibrate as much if you change the motor speed. We can help you troubleshoot this, but need more information as to what it is or isn't doing as well as what changes, if any, you made to the machine other than turning the SR on. Sue

@MorMor you may get better interest if you create a separate listing for your machine. Users may not think a post originally started in 2019 has a current for sale item. Well, never mind I guess. I see you did create one - I just hadn't seen that post yet.

There's a Bernina tech on YouTube - Bernina Jeff. He has a tutorial on removing the bobbin from the bobbin case. I'm not sure if this is exactly your problem. Also not sure if this applies to an 880 machine. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UPgnrr_AwRA

Is your frame square? Did you install the carriage correctly on the frame? When I put my carriage on, I tilt the back end up because there's a lip on the front that needs to go underneath an edge on the table. Can you post some pics of where the carriage sits on the bliss rails?

Honestly, you’d think with the price of these machines, they’d include that bobbin winder with all of them, not just the ‘big ones’. Sue

Here's an APQS video on using invisible threads. I'd try a 3.5 needle. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D-M_dBl1iNM What quilting design are you going to use?

Helen - is this the plastic "Sidewinder" bobbin winder? I don't have a solution for you. I got one of those with my used Lenni. It did the job ok but I found someone here wanting to sell the APQS turbo winder. It was expensive but I like it much better. I do see there are some high speed winders on Amazon (one with +700 mostly good reviews). Just an option.... Sue

I've thought about quilting for others as sort of a money-making hobby. Not a full time schedule but just to generate some fun money. Then I hear horror stories like this and think that I don't need that kind of drama dragging down my fun. But maybe the drama is of our own making by feeling like we can't turn down potential customers.

There’s a 2012 Lenni listed on Facebook located in AL if you’re still looking for one. There’s no computer on it though.

There is a private Quilt Path group on Facebook that may be helpful for you. I think a dealer has to invite you into the group. Have you looked at this tutorial? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a_zK-2gvRhk&t=883s

APQS machines don't have a basting stitch. You can hold the needle up/down button rather than clicking each time. You just need to make sure the needle is out of the fabric before you move the machine to the next position.

Do you have the manual to look at the setup for thread break? The thread has to go around the small wheel above the first 3 hole thread guide above the throat of the machine. Thread thru one of the 3 holes first then wrap clockwise around the black round disc. The machine senses if that wheel is turning to determine if the top thread has broken. If the sensor is one but you don't have the thread going around that wheel, you'll get the alert. You can also turn the thread break sensor off. There's a switch towards the front of the machine on the same side where the thread path is. But it's below the cover so you need something to slide it on/off (pen, end of a paper clip, etc.). If you don't have a manual, contact APQS directly using the contact info on their website and they can send it to you.

Duffie - you may need to look for a different machine. This listing is from 3 years ago and the seller hasn't logged in to this forum since Apr 2019. You can see this by clicking on a user's name. Good luck in your machine search.

Terry - if you are actually listing the machine for sale here, you will probably get more interest if you include the following: Photos of your actual machine (not stock photos) Your location and any shipping options (do you have the original box for shipping?) Accessories or other items included with the machine - table, bobbins, needles, thread, etc. Asking price Good luck with your sale. Sue

Another option would be command strip hooks for scissors. How and where were you planning on attaching the magnet to the machine? I would think if you used a "regular" magnet and not the rare-earth neodymium super-strong ones, it's probably not going to hurt the machine. I have a couple of those small needle alignment magnets that I keep on the top laser post so I don't lose them. I have a small magnet strip with adhesive backing stuck on the top of my computerized Bernina sewing machine and it's not caused any problems. I also have a grab-it magnetic pin cushion that sits near that machine. Personally, I'm not sure I'd use a magnet as a needle keeper on the machine. I'd be afraid I'd knock it off or any vibration from the machine might make it fall on the quilt somewhere. I'd feel more comfortable using a piece of felt or batting like Gail suggested. Sue