dbams

Peach  click on Daniel’s screen name and you will see a way to send a message.  That will go straight to his email.  Works for most online forums.
 
Nigel

Hi Monika. What you own is a pre-2000 Ultima longarm, not a Lenny. I don't know if that wooden table can even be upgraded to the Bliss system, which replace heavy-duty aluminum rails not used on your frame. The wheels are wood composite and I don't know if M&M wheels available now are a match to the ones on your machine. After 2000, APQS used edgerider wheels---that are horizontal and ride on the edge of the rail instead of on top. To investigate solutions for easier movement on those wheels, you should check that the tracks are pristinely clean without oxidation build-up, and clean the grooves of the wheels with alcohol on a Q-tip to remove any oxidation build-up there. Investigate if there are bad bearings in the wheels (they should turn easily) and that they aren't bent on the axles, which would cause drag. Drag can also be caused by a flexed/torqued table, so make sure it's level front-to-back in several places and along the length. If you can isolate where the drag is (like the length of the table means to check the frame rails and wheels, or front to back check the carriage wheels) it will be easier to diagnose. If it's in one distinct spot, the frame needs to be leveled. If you were able to stitch nice curves before, you should be able to again. New wheels won't fix that unless the things that support the wheels are correctly aligned. Good luck and email your closest dealer for more advice.

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.

Do you measure the quilt tops before loading?  That would give you advance warning that there is a problem.  If it is always the right side that is longer, I have to wonder if it is something you are doing as you advance the quilt, as Debbie mentioned above, or if your leaders are not quite square.  Debbie gave good advice.

Have you reviewed page 108 in the manual that offers some explanations of why it could be skipping stitches?  I would rethread everything and start over with a finer thread in the bobbin and the upper thread like Bottom Line, or Glide.  Pages 23-25 of the manual shows how to set the needle.   You need to match the size of the needle to the thickness of the thread. If you're using a thicker thread like Perma Core, YLI, Omni you will need to use a little larger needle.   Are you pulling down 6-8" of bobbin thread so you can bring up your bobbin thread and have enough upper thread and bobbin thread to hold on to when you start to quilt?  I hope one of these tips help.  
 

If you email or call APQS, they will tell you what you need and give you the pricing.  

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Thank you for your prompt reply.  I appreciate your help.  I tried the Bliss track at an APQS roadshow this spring, and did like it.  I'm going to go try it next week and I will let you know. 
 
 

Hi Deb. I will assume you mean the Bliss system instead of Glide tracks. Some newer APQS machines have "Quilt Glide", but it has nothing to do with the wheels. So---Bliss is a ball-bearing pod set on a stainless steel rod that runs the length of the frame at the front and the back. It eases the horizontal movement. The vertical movement is on M&M wheels and regular rails on the carriage, which are the best wheels available on APQS longarms. One set of four wheels on the carriage and the ball-bearing pods on the table. They are fabulous. I believe you can retro-fit Bliss for about $3000 if it's on an APQS frame. That seems like a lot when you're getting a deal on the machine, so you'll need to decide. If there's a dealer near you, try out the Bliss system versus a regular wheel system. As for being "necessary"? Absolutely not, but comparing the two (and your stamina and physical ability added to the mix) will guide you to whether it's an attractive add-on or a must-have. Good luck and have fun!

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Great job.  Thank you for sharing pictures of the finished quilt.
Cagey

Looks fabulous!!

Well, after lots of thought, I went with my Circle Lord Jester boards.  I really like how it looks, and so do my daughter and son-in-law!

In my mind no don’t scrap it parts are readily available and I don’t think the new ones really sew much better.  Do you know the manufacturer of the stitch regulator and the computer?  The most common aftermarket one was Intellistitch and Intelliquilter.  If that is the case there is lots of support available.  Let us know what you have or post a picture and we can probably send you in the right direction.  My old Ultimate 1 is still going strong daily in someone else’s business, not bad for a twenty five year old piece of equipment.
 
Nigel

JollyDude
I would not scrap this machine!  If it only runs wide open, then the settings are not adjusted or the stitch regulator is not engaged.  Pictures would go a long way in us helping you to figure out what is going on with this machine.  The ULT1 machines are power house machines and there are many of them that are still running very well today.  Another option would be to contact APQS and see if they have any suggestions for you.

Joyce. Call APQS anyway. Tell them the situation, that you don't know the name of the part, and can you text them a picture of it. I have had the need to send videos, audios, pictures, and they stayed right on the phone with me. They will help you! Blessings!

Well, after lots of thought, I went with my Circle Lord Jester boards.  I really like how it looks, and so do my daughter and son-in-law!

Well, after lots of thought, I went with my Circle Lord Jester boards.  I really like how it looks, and so do my daughter and son-in-law!

When I saw your quilt this is what comes to mind.
Corner blocks - SID and that is it
Trees - trapunto trees so they have two layers of batting behind them so they pop out at you.  Then a tight pebble, meander, something you are comfortable around the trees to stitch down the blue.
Hearts - flowing feathers to fill out the top points
Cabin - SID all the seams, and then horizontal log lines in the wood areas, vertical or sudo-wavey lines in the roof, stitch around the clouds in the sky, so they stand out
Sides and bottom border - definitely bear claws pointed different direction, or possibly on the sides make them so it looks like the bear is walking up the quilt, that is say they stair step up on each side, bottom from corner squares pointing inward, top same bear claw only smaller and pointing different directions around the words.  Maybe use a thread close to the yellow on the the heart blocks to standout a little so all your thread breaks are worth the effort; https://www.clipartmax.com/middle/m2i8i8d3i8A0N4H7_american-black-bear-bear-claw-brown-bear-clip-art-bear-claw-clipart/
Angela Walters has a book "Shape by Shape" that can give you ideas one how to fill particular shapes if you do not like the suggestions.
Let us see the quilting when you are done.  Best of luck with it.
Cagey

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Never mind, figured it out. Had cleaned the machine and lost one of the gold washers under the stitch plate. Replaced it and it works now. 

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Lora
Are you talking about the aluminum axle being loose on the bottom of the head?  From memory they are held on with two Phillips screws each and I think you can access them by laying on your back under the machine.  
 
Nigel

Serere and Gwyndolin reported.