srichardson

If the there is no chance of the colour bleeding try spritzing with water and using a soft toothbrush. Good luck and welcome to the forum.

Have you tried to contact Kay Bell to see if she can help you? https://www.apqs.com/retailers/borderline-quilter/

All of the brands that you mention are reputable. The best thing you could do is to check to see if there are any large quilt shows scheduled in your area where you could go and try the different machines. It is a little like buying a car, one make and model doesn't fit everyone. APQS has road shows in various parts of the country and they are a good place to start. I don't know if the other companies do anything similar. It is a good idea to stick with a company that produces purpose built industrial machines and has been in the business for a long time. There are lots of machines out there that are just little more than a stretched version of a DSM. Buyer beware! Check if you are able to do the maintenance yourself or if the machine has to be shipped back to the factory? Is telephone support available? Is there any training offered when you buy the machine? Think carefully about the throat size. There often seem to be quite a number of smaller machines for sale as owners decide that they would prefer a machine with a larger throat. Have you checked out the APQS demo machines? They come available occasionally and are a good deal. I bought my Millie during a demo sale and have been very happy with it. Good luck with your search and welcome to the forum.

There is indeed a winner! https://www.apqs.com

Is the thread catching on something in the thread path? If there is nothing catching try using a thread net. It is possible the thread isn't feeding smoothly from the cone.

Try e-mail the sales department at sales@apqs.com. They should be able to help you.

APQS have leaders in the store. https://shop.apqs.com/pc_combined_results.asp?search_prod=(searchlike~p.sku~leaders|Or|searchlike~ p.nm~leaders|Or|searchlike~ p.ds~leaders|Or|searchlike~ p.search_terms~leaders|Or|searchlike~ p.child_rollup_search_terms~leaders)&search_keyword=leaders

Have you checked out the used APQS sale? There was one recently and there was a 2019 Lucey for $9,950.00. It may well have sold but the sales roll around every so often. If you don't already get APQS e-mails it might be a good idea to sign up. I don't know anything about the HQ machine you are interested in, but one thing I would check is if it is possible to do any repair work yourself or if the machine would need to be shipped back to the factory. APQS machines, as you probably know are industrial machines and are very solid, reliable machines. It is possible to change out parts when necessary, with the help of customer service. There rarely is a need to ship the machine back unless it is going for a spa treatment. Good luck with your shopping!!

Have you tried changing your needle and checking the thread path for burrs?

Me too!!

I don't know which bobbin winder you have. Does yours have a fuse? If so it may have blown.

Have you checked for burrs? Also check to see if the thread guides have worn down into a groove. It they have try turning them upside down so the thread is running through a different part of the guide. If you can work out where on the thread path the shredding occurs it will give you an idea which area to check. Good luck.

Urban Elementz now sell the R&S design boards. The couple that owned Circle Lord have retired. https://www.urbanelementz.com/design-boards.html

If you contact APQS and give them the serial number on your machine they will probably be able to help.

I seem to remember reading the IQ are helping Compuquilter owners. You might try contacting them and see if they can offer any suggestions. Good luck.