amyfaith Posted August 30, 2011 Report Share Posted August 30, 2011 I just noticed in the scrolling advertisement section on the main page that APQS is offering an M-sized bobbin, but have not been able to locate much more information than that. Will the tension and stitch quality still be as good as with the smart bobbin or smaller bobbin? Will it be possible to retrofit older machines with the larger bobbin? I sure would be wonderful not to reload so often if I could still keep the same quality. Anyone have any more information on this? Very curious! Amy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DawnCavanaugh Posted August 30, 2011 Report Share Posted August 30, 2011 Hi Amy, The Big Bobbin can be retrofitted to older machines. It requires a trip back to the "spa" at the factory because the gearbox needs to be changed to accommodate the larger hook. Then at the same time an interchangeable foot will be added. The cost of the upgrade is $1,000. I did test the big bobbin and was impressed by the performance. I think because our machine's design keeps the hook much closer to the needle plate and needle, the distance the top thread must travel to complete a stitch is greatly reduced compared to other M bobbin machines. This helps with stitch quality. APQS still believes in the physics behind the Smart Bobbin and its stitch quality, but we are answering the request from many customers who are longing for a bigger bobbin. Let me know what other questions you have! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LadyLake Posted August 30, 2011 Report Share Posted August 30, 2011 Dawn, Will the big bobbin and interchangeable feet be part of the APQS Road Show in Duluth in September? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amyfaith Posted August 30, 2011 Author Report Share Posted August 30, 2011 You are always a wealth of information. Thanks, Dawn!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jmcclannan Posted August 30, 2011 Report Share Posted August 30, 2011 Dawn, what is the cost of the interchangeable foot without the M bobbin? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MtnBarb Posted August 30, 2011 Report Share Posted August 30, 2011 Thank you Dawn. Finally a clear answer to my question. I was positive the APQS wouldn't be offering something new without a thorough design study and testing! You ROCK! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DawnCavanaugh Posted August 31, 2011 Report Share Posted August 31, 2011 Joan, I am not sure about the M bobbin and interchangeable foot making an appearance in Duluth, but I'll try to find out! Julie, The Interchangeable foot will be available for the same price as the current single piece template foot at $137.50 (or installed at APQS for $175. At the moment we are finalizing the accessory feet with our machinist so we don't have individual costs from him yet. However, I believe you'll be able to purchase the feet individually as well as in kit form. Right now we are designing low profile and high profile open toe feet, a low profile solid foot, and some feet for George users. We should know in the next couple of weeks what the final prices are once the machinist gets back to us. We hope to have them ready for debut for sure at the AQS show in Des Moines at the end of next month if not before then. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jmcclannan Posted August 31, 2011 Report Share Posted August 31, 2011 Oh, good. Another reason for coming to the Des Moines show. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sharond Posted September 10, 2011 Report Share Posted September 10, 2011 Sounds like I need to stop in the APQS booth in Des Moines. If you were to retro fit your machine with the big bobbin, can you still use a "L" bobbin in the big bobbin case? In a class at Milwaukee, we were told that you could use a "L" bobbin in a "M" bobbin case. Just wondering.......... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DawnCavanaugh Posted September 11, 2011 Report Share Posted September 11, 2011 Sharon, Technically you can use an L bobbin in an M case. The success rate will depend on the type of bobbin, whether you leave the check spring in or out, and the type of thread on the bobbin. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grammie Posted September 11, 2011 Report Share Posted September 11, 2011 I love the L bobbin so why change perfection. Glad APQS heard the call from other quilters. It's great to have an option best for you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kerileann Posted November 23, 2011 Report Share Posted November 23, 2011 But will the bigger bobbin compete with the smart bobbin in stitch quality? How much are we trading here? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kerileann Posted November 30, 2011 Report Share Posted November 30, 2011 My question has been answered... and I am excited to have heard that the APQS M bobbin does compete with the L bobbin in stitch quality!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deb2bie Posted November 30, 2011 Report Share Posted November 30, 2011 I was just at a customers home where she opted for the Big Bobbin on her new Millennium. I was very pleased to see the tension was very nice on her machine. We didn't of course go thru a whole bobbin but their machine was producing wonderful stitches. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
klwheeler Posted November 21, 2014 Report Share Posted November 21, 2014 I had a 2009 Millennium with L bobbin and now have the 2013 Milli with the M bobbin. I love it. I use Quilt Path and free motion with my Milli on the Bliss table and find it very nice to not have many bobbin changes. My tension with the M bobbin has been great, and it does have a bit louder sound but now that my Milli doesn't beep while Stitch Regulated engaged, I am really happy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimerickson Posted November 21, 2014 Report Share Posted November 21, 2014 I installed an M bobbin system on my Ult2 four years ago. I checked the stitch quality with the L system before I installed the M, and after the installation. I could tell no difference. I didn't change anything in the gearbox. It's worked without issue ever since. I think I probably have quilted 200 quilts with the M set up. Sure is nice to only change the bobbin half as often. Jim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bonnie H Posted November 21, 2014 Report Share Posted November 21, 2014 My M bobbin is a dream, too, especially doing a king size quilt with a dense 13 inch panto. It's nice to make it through a row without changing the bobbin. I hope one day to test drive an APQS, maybe own one, too. So glad they came out with an M bobbin as I would have ruled it out as a machine for me. Smart move, APQS!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.