RunningThreads

Did you just change bobbin winders? Some brands of winders wind clockwise and some are counter clockwise. Some where in your APQS instructions it will say how to insert a bobbin. Pretend you took a wound bobbin out of a drawer and it has holes both sides which side goes down in the case?

The little fingers push on the bottom of the bobbin not the bobbin case. The bobbin will sit slightly proud of the case when the fingers are correct. Of course the other question is are you sure the bobbin is spinning the correct direction? Nigel

If I remember correctly I think the white machines started around 2010 or 2012 before that they were grey. I’m sure one of the dealers will correct me if I’m way off.

Hi Kitten As Sue said. Yes you should be cautious. The first thing you should do is click on the users name and see how long they have been a member and read some of their posts. If you click on SueD above you will see she has been around for a couple of years and her posts are always on point and helpful. If she decided to sell her machine her ad would be legitimate. Someone who joined yesterday and their first post is a machine for sale I’d definitely want to see in person. Most machines don’t sell immediately so there is no rush to send anyone money. Nigel

Thanks for posting your solution Helen. This could help someone else down the road.

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Here is a couple of APQS YouTube videos on the adjustment. The first is for LED machines and the other is for the fluorescent light machines. https://youtu.be/6tb0kLasBC8 https://youtu.be/DQXtnehc2i4 Hope this helps. Nigel

For a long stitch you can also turn off the stitch regulator, turn the speed down and control the stitch length by how fast you move the machine. I doubt you can get your Millie to do one stitch per inch that way but you could probably get decent results around three stitches per inch. Nigel

Also make sure you pull the bobbin tail after you insert the bobbin to make sure it pulls smoothly.. I’ve had the thread get caught under the backlash spring and it will snap the top thread immediately if this happens. Nigel

Unthread and start from the beginning, you may have an extra loop somewhere. Look very closely anywhere the thread touches (guides and check spring). Over time your thread will wear a groove into those areas and cause tension issues or thread shredding. Use a magnifying glass or grab the tread above and below the guide and drag it around the inside of the guide. If there is a groove you will feel a slight catch. If you find a groove on one of the pig tail guides loosen the screw and turn it upside down until you get a replacement. I’ve also had a spool of thread that wasn’t wound properly that would catch and release causing all kinds of ugly tension every couple of feet. Hopefully this gives you somewhere to start Nigel

When you say GTA do you mean Greater Toronto Area? I would think it is still worth a thousand to fifteen hundred dollars if it is complete with the frame. They were very durable machines and parts are still readily available. Nigel

If you are talking about the aluminum tubes that keep the rails parallel they are all identical.

Probably like this. https://www.apqs.com/fuse-replacement-video/

Check your fuse. Here is the video. https://www.apqs.com/fuse-replacement-video/

From the picture it looks like you have an Ultimate 1 and if the motor is original it was made around 1992. If I remember correctly the serial number was stamped in the underside flat area above the hopping foot. Hope this helps Nigel

Also don’t forget to add contact info.

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Linda Follow Barb’s suggestion. Also if your machine was built for Canadian standards you probably have another fuse under the top cover. It used to be the American machines the lights and motor were on the same fuse while the Canadian machines used separate fuses. I don’t know if this is still the case. Let us know how you make out. Nigel

Had both either work fine. If you have never had a machine with the electronic locks you won’t miss them. Now if I was buying a new machine and going back into business (I’m not) I would even consider a Lucey with the deluxe table ($2000) and power quilt advance. Same warranty and same quality stitching, you lose the touch display and you can’t have Quilt Glide (again don’t know what I’m missing). I certainly wouldn’t make it as a salesperson for APQS. Nigel

Most APQS machines have horizontal wheels and most other brands have vertical ones. So it may not be easy. Nigel

We had two machines both with bobbin thread cutters and never used them. You have to cut the top thread anyway so why not pull the bobbin thread to the top and cut both at the same time. To my knowledge APQS is the only machine I’ve seen with the bobbin thread cutter. Just my two cents Nigel

Next time it stops try rotating the flywheel a bit and see if it starts back up again. I had to replace the motor on our millennium because of symptoms like you describe. Call the factory on Monday and they will help you diagnose your problem.

Check your brushes. Most things you can fix yourself with instructions supplies by APQS. Here is how to check the brushes. https://www.apqs.com/motor-brush-maintenance-video/ Nigel

FYI Intelliquilter and Intellistitch were developed by the same people. Here is a link to the intellistitch manual. You probably have a CL turbo. https://www.intellistitch.com/manuals.php

All Millennium, Lenni and Lucey machines are stitch regulated. Some early Freedom machines were not. Hope this helps in your search. Nigel