SueD

Are you pulling down/putting to much weight on the handles? I did that a couple of times. I have to consciously force myself to keep a light grip on my handles. It makes my quilting better plus ergonomically better than a tight grip and tense muscles.

led - it would helpful for anyone searching for a machine if you would update the title of your original post from "for sale" to "SOLD" so they don't have to search in individual messages to find the status.

It would be helpful to provide the table size, any included accessories (ruler base, rulers, pantographs, thread, etc.), any shipping options. If you don't know the model year, APQS can give you this information from the serial number.

Have you considered raising the whole table a bit? This would give you a better viewing angle of the quilting area. You still want your hands in a comfortable position so it helps if your handles are adjustable. My older Lenni had the fixed vertical handles but I upgraded to the curved adjustable ones and I’m glad I did. Sue

A couple of other thoughts. Is your table level? Does the machine roll by itself in any direction? It may have been level when you set it up but could have settled. Check to see if any of your cords may be causing drag. Are you only noticing the drag with round designs? If so, it may just take some practice. I have an older Lenni with no computer or bliss and was struggling to get circles instead of squarcles. Remember, you're trying to make the carriage move in two directions at once - horizontal and vertical. Start your design smaller and work your way up to larger circles. Try stitching out a lower case cursive alphabet (or words or your name) since those "designs" would be instinctive (assuming you can write in cursive).

Have you disengaged the QP clamp from the belt? Disclaimer - I don't have a computerized system but have read a lot of posts here and on FB - that's been a frequent suggestion. Make sure your wheels are clean. Check for any threads that might have gotten wrapped up in the wheels.

Mine has a metal piece in that groove on the spindle. It’s heavier than wire. It sits in the notch on the bobbins and I assume keeps the bobbin on the spindle.

It does take some practice. You’re making two sets of wheels move in perpendicular directions to go diagonally. Don’t go too slow and hold the handles loosely. Try one hand on a handle and the other on the back of the machine. Look for YouTube videos by whirlsnswirls quilting. She just did a series of 8 videos about pantos and free motion. Take the thread and needle out to practice or warm up for quilting. Have you looked at the info on APQS website for tension? There is some good info there. If you’re having tension issues in one direction only, rotating the needle left or right just a smidge may help. Sue

Rhonda - you're unlikely to get a reply. The last time the original poster visited the forum was Nov 2019. If you click or hover on profile names, the forum will show you this. Good luck in your search for a machine. There is a Facebook longarm selling group you could join also.

Tammy - a response from the seller here is unlikely. They posted the item for sale in October 2019. That was the only post for that user and they haven't visited the forum since that first post.

You can try to contact APQS and ask them. You should also ask APQS for the cost of the table/frame only that would be compatible with this head. I haven't seen many APQS machine-head only listings either here or on longarm selling groups on Facebook. Just my opinion... It may be a harder sell as I would expect most buyers would need to purchase a frame. If it was a newer head, it might be an upgrade for someone. But it would seem that someone interested in a 15 year old machine would be looking for a complete setup. Again, just my opinion. Sue

The suggestion I've seen most is to cut a piece from an old bike tire tube and slide it over the rails. If you have a bike shop nearby they might just give you one that's unrepairable. You could try shelf liner but you'd need a way to attach it without the seam getting caught when you turn the rails - maybe a double sided tape?

The machine heads should be interchangeable on the table frames. However, you would need to buy/trade the longer rails. You can contact APQS directly through their website and ask which parts would need to be changed out and what the price of the longer pieces are.

If a potential client requests something you don't feel you're capable of doing (or capable of doing well), then just explain that. Not every quilter is good at or willing to do all types of quilting. Just because a sales person in a store suggested this one thing to your client doesn't mean another client won't ask for the same thing unprompted. It doesn't really matter whose idea it was - either you can/will do it or your can't/won't. Ultimately, it's the customer's quilt. If they ask for purple thread because someone in a quilt shop suggested it (or purple is their favorite color or any other reason - legitimate or not), and you, as the professional are unsuccessful at changing their mind, then you have two options - A) quilt it as they requested it (with everything documented in writing), knowing it may not look as good as it would with different thread (or quilt design or whatever); or B ) refuse to do the quilting with the understanding that customer may not ask you to quilt any other projects. It doesn't seem very productive to wonder about all the things clients might ask for that are above your skill level when that energy could be better spent improving your skills or learning new ones.

Are you saying you have a problem with someone who works in a quilt shop giving suggestions or ideas to the quilt maker about how to finish a quilt?

It's a Colorado Log Cabin pattern - look for available patterns online.

Here's the link for the APQS lighting system. The inventor is a member here - mikeferris - but I think it's been a year since he last logged on. http://mcautomationinc.com/apqs-long-arm-led-lighting-system

John - you may want to create a new listing for your item instead of adding this to the end of a listing originally posted more than 2 years ago. It's also helpful if you include photos, your location and any shipping/delivery options.

Mindy - there’s a manual in the files in the Facebook group. It has a rev date in 2014 so it looks like that might be the right one. There’s a photo showing front handle installation and it looks like you have it plugged into the correct connector.

Mindy - contact APQS and they can send you the manual for your machine. Are there any dealers near you? You may not need the full "new owner" classes ($200 if you didn't purchase from a dealer), but you may be able to arrange for a shorter training with them. There's a Facebook group "We Love APQS". Members are very helpful and there are some dealers in the group. I've watched a lot of quilting videos and haven't seen any "how to operate an APQS".

On groups.io there is a SewItsForSale group where you can post items for sale. There are also destash groups on Facebook.

Betsy - that's a great and very simple idea! I'm going to have to do that. Thanks!

https://www.aquilterschoice.com/shop/NotionsLongarm-Supplies/p/Clamp-Supports---Millie-Freddie-Lucey-MY-19-machines-Set-of-2-x50172110.htm

I'd recommend cheap curtain rods like these. Spend <$10 on a couple these the next time you're near a hardware store/Target/Walmart. Or find wooden yardsticks. https://www.homedepot.com/p/28-in-48-in-Single-Curtain-Rod-in-White-869465/309976524?MERCH=REC-_-pipsem-_-309976880-_-309976524-_-N& Or spend $55 (+shipping) on these which are ridiculously overpriced and probably why they're hard to find. https://www.aquilterschoice.com/shop/NotionsLongarm-Supplies/p/Clamp-Supports---Millie-Freddie-Lucey-MY-19-machines-Set-of-2-x50172110.htm If you want the "worktable" (the Lenni version they sell is $135) - get a couple of the curtain rods and attach (gorilla glue, painters tape, nut & bolt) a piece of plexiglass from your local hardware store on top of them. You'll spend at most probably $25.

You may want to add photos if available. Also, provide your location and any shipping options (will ship, pick up only, will you disassemble?).