RunningThreads
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Posts posted by RunningThreads
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3 hours ago, CBing said:
Iquiltit, why do you say "don't tell them you are quilting for a business"?
~C.
The professional machine manufacturers don’t care if you are using the machine for business the warranty will be the same but the others reduce their warranty for business use.
Nigel
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Exactly that is why I suggested you call my info is at least six years old. I guess I should have said call service. Enjoy your new machine.
Nigel
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Thanks Cagey
That is an updated version of what I have in my manual. Looks like there are a couple of units recommended.
Nigel
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We have the Tripp Lite SU1000XLA as recommended by APQS a few years ago.It is a little pricey but works excellent. If I understand correctly it constantly filters the power and gives pure sine wave output. I have unplugged the unit while the Millie was running and the machine didn't skip a beat, we couldn't do that with the cheap UPS we had before.
It looks like they are still available but make sure you are sitting down when you see the price. On the other hand you don't want the power going out while you are merrily quilting along and tear a quilt because you can't stop as fast as the machine does.
Maybe call the factory and see if this is still the current model they recommend.
Nigel
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Funny thing is I had about a half dozen Schmetz needles given to me with the U1 but never used them and I'm not sure they are even in the house anymore.
Nigel
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Hey Jim
i was just rereading this thread. Do you have Intellistitch on both machines? The reason I ask is the Millie will skip stitches all day long if the hook doesn't kiss the needle and you can run your machines with the slightest gap. Maybe I will try retiming my U1 to have the gap and see if the stitch quality improves. Currently the Millie is superior and I think my U1 degraded a little after the addition of the Intellistitch. As we have discussed before neither system is way better than the other.
Cagey
If the needle systems are the same then the needles should be interchangeable but as Jim points out there can be differences. I did get some yellow packet SNS needles from APQS years ago that caused me grief with skipped stitches until I adjusted the hook to kiss the needle. The old needles I had been using in the identical packaging would kiss the needle but the new ones didn't. So you may have to retime even if you don't change manufacturers and the Schmetz may or may not be better with the APQS regulator, I guess someone will have to try them.
Nigel
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My setup is very similar to Matt Sparrow's original lighting. If I was doing it now I would use the LED fixtures rather than the fluorescent, I also have my lights plugged into a wireless switched outlet with the remote mounted near the quilt advance switches.
Nigel
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Sheri
Was it Mike's lights you installed. http://www.mcautomationinc.com/led2 ? I had forgotten about his lights but they would be quite a bit more expensive than a direct bulb replacement.
Nigel
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The bulb Tammy showed does require some rewiring.
Nigel
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Hi Tammy and welcome to the forum. I don't see any reason why it couldn't be done. I'm not sure there would be enough of an improvement to warrant the effort. If you can't find the bulb locally let me know my brother has a friend in the lighting business and he might be able to help. The fluorescent bulbs last pretty well, I've changed the bulb twice in eleven years.
Nigel
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I haven't tried the latest machines with Bliss but the non Bliss machines will want to go in a north/south east/west direction with just a two finger imput from you. That is why everyone has trouble with square circles in the beginning. Try guiding the next machine you have access to and see what I mean.
Nigel
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Thanks for the SAN code. Now if we can only identify what application each number code means. Jim
Here is a couple of them. I believe san 11 is the needle developed for our application, larger eye and strengthen for multi directional sewing. https://www.groz-beckert.com/cms/en/products_services/sewing/smn_produktprogramm/san_sewing/
Nigel
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Gail
Two simple checks come to mind. Unthread the machine back to the tension assembly, and start the machine in regulated mode and watch the black rubber encoder wheel when moving side to side. Is the wheel moving consistently or does it need adjusting? The other check would be to wiggle the stitch regulator wires while the machine is running in regulated mode. Brenda's machine has had a broken wire right at one of the pins in that white connector. Actually I have fixed it twice. When I wiggled the wire the machine would cut in and out.
Good luck
Nigel
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Diane
That is one of the symptoms we had with the static issue a few years ago. Brenda's machine would fire the needle down and usually turn on one of the channel locks at the same time. A couple of times it happened when moving the head back to the next starting position for a panto (did tear one quilt). Call the factory Monday and I am sure it will get fixed.
Kay
Do the newer machines have the grounding clip and wire? Maybe one of them has come loose.
Nigel
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Lynne Marie
I assume you have a manual for your Ultimate 1. If not the screw you want to try adjusting is under the top cover. If you take the top cover off and lay it to the side you will see three cubes on the circuit board with tiny screws on the top. The one you want will be the one on the right when looking from the front of the machine. Warm the machine up first and then adjust the screw about a quarter turn. Try the single stitch and see if it cycles faster or slower. If it is faster turn the screw the other way and try it. You are trying to get the single stitch to be fairly quick without overshooting the stop.
Amy or Dawn will fix you up tomorrow if this doesn't work.
Nigel
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It is not too bad of a job. I just changed the one on my Ultimate 1 in about 45 minutes. If you have never done timing before that will be the hardest part.
Nigel
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I think I remember someone having the set screw(s) on the motor pulley behind the rear cover coming loose. If the flywheel isn't any harder to turn than normal that would be my guess.
Nigel
Comparing APQS Millie with Handi Quilter Infinity
in APQS Machines
Posted
It looks like there is only about a thousand dollars difference in price until you add some options. Another way to look at it is what is the value of the machine you buy now going to be in five or ten years compared to the purchase price. I suspect the APQS will cost you less over that time period. Also there is quite often factory overhauled used APQS machines with new tables and warranty at a very good price. Check the events calendar for a Road Show or Quilt Show because they always have special show pricing. Having good tools always makes the job more pleasurable so buy the one you think is best for you.
APQS always encourages us to service our own machines and is very good with detailed instructions should you ever have to do a repair.
Just my 2 cents.
Nigel