DebLou Posted November 15, 2006 Report Share Posted November 15, 2006 I am a beginner and would like to know the advantages of the Hartley Fence vs. the Circle Lord. Which would you recommend for a beginner. I know nothing about either of them. I would like to know if this is something I would get a lot of use out of. Deblou Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Myrna Ficken Posted November 15, 2006 Report Share Posted November 15, 2006 I really used my Hartley fence all the time. It's fast and easy. It has paid for it's self many times over. Myrna Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sylkamode Posted November 15, 2006 Report Share Posted November 15, 2006 I own a Circle Lord, which came in the mail a couple of days ago, and have to start things up after I have finished making the quilts for my customers. I think this device will make circles, spirals etc. much more easy! I cannot wait to try it out! Sylvia Kaptein Sylka-Mode www.sylkamode.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
circlelord Posted November 15, 2006 Report Share Posted November 15, 2006 DebLou, You can take a look at the "Quilting Gadgets and Goodies Page" to see a a couple of years of reviews on the Circle Lord by APQS members. http://www.apqs.com/quiltboard/forumdisplay.php?fid=15 Just Google "Loricles" , or "Circle Lord" Cheers, Michael Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dixieqwv Posted November 15, 2006 Report Share Posted November 15, 2006 I sort of thought they were basically the same device. You might be interested in Circle Lord blog at http://www.circlelord.blogspot.com/ I don't own either one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
k8 Posted November 15, 2006 Report Share Posted November 15, 2006 We owned the Harrley fence first and while it's not a bad product, it wasn't the best fit for us. We have since replaced it with the Circle Lord (and sold the HF) and have been much happier. Of course all this falls to personal opionion, and that's worth exactly what you paid for it, lol. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Linda S Posted November 15, 2006 Report Share Posted November 15, 2006 I also had a Hartley Fence but sold it and bought a Circle Lord. For me, the Circle Lord is just so much easier to use and has so many more design possibilities. In the long run, it will boil down to what you want to do with it and what your budget is. Linda Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Evelyn Dobbins Posted November 15, 2006 Report Share Posted November 15, 2006 I bought my HF from Merilyn Badger when she was in Brookings, OR. I was taking the beginners class from her right after I got my Milli. We did crosshatching, circles, different designs with partial circles, like babtist fan, ..to name a few. I use it a lot. Evelyn Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Judi Posted November 15, 2006 Report Share Posted November 15, 2006 DebLou - I would suggest looking at the top left corner and click on the search and read some old posts. Many things have been covered about both of these products. Personally - I have both, and will keep both, depends on what you want to do and use them for. They both have their advantages and dis-advantages Read though the posts, look at photos of quilts that have been done both ways. I HAVE to have the Hartley to do the Batpist Fans correctly, that is my opinion. But the Circle Lord is very fun and easy to use. Sorry I am not alot of help here, I am just lucky and glad to have both!! It is not always how FAST you get something done, it is sometimes more a matter of doing it the way you WANT it done! Good Luck! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DebLou Posted November 16, 2006 Author Report Share Posted November 16, 2006 Thanks to all who have replied. I will most certainly check out the web sites you've suggested. I appreciate all your info. Happy quilting, Deblou Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lyonden Posted January 17, 2007 Report Share Posted January 17, 2007 When I first bought an APQS, I also ordered the HF. I finally did get the unit to do pretty good circles but had to be really careful. Not being a patient person, I soon tired of the time it took to do a good job. I also have most of the cookie cutters but the unit kept coming loose so the designs were distorted. I know some have wonderful luck with this unit but like I said I have very little patience (getting worse with age). I was really leary of spending more money to buy the CL but finally bit the bullet and did so. The CL unit sat under my machine for quite a few months before taking it out of the box. All I can say is I'm just thrilled with the CL. You can't distort the design. I find I use it all the time. It's so easy to just plop the unit down and use a fill in design. The CL is what makes my job FUN!!! In comparing the CL with all the other templates on the market, they have more than one use and design built right into each template. There are probably thousands of variations available in the templates. This is not saying there is anything wrong with the HF or any other brand of template out there, (I have many other rulers), it's just that the CL works best for me. Just my opinion. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JudyL Posted January 22, 2007 Report Share Posted January 22, 2007 I've never seen the Hartley Fence so I'm not putting it down but .. the Circle Lord is fantastic! And, even more fantastic than the gadget is the service you get from Michael. I've probably been one of his worst (ok . maybe THE worst) customer. I ordered the CL and kept it for 2 years because I was afraid to raise the machine. I'd write him every now and then and tell him I was going to install it and he'd write me back with encouragement. I even lost some of the parts (screws or bolts I think) and he had to send me more. Then when we moved last month, I handed the whole setup to the packer and said "DO NOT TAKE THIS APART". No problem. It will fit in a wardrobe box. I even gave him batting scraps to pack around it. Got here, opened it up. Packers had taken it completely apart and had thrown nuts and bolts and washers loose into the box. I had no clue where my instructions were on how to get it back together -- in another of the zillions of boxes we have here. I contacted Michael and he sent me pictures, I still couldn't figure it out and he called and walked me through it! It's now put back together and working again. I don't think you can beat the service given by Circle Lord. And, they're always coming out with new toys for the CL user. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SandraC Posted January 22, 2007 Report Share Posted January 22, 2007 I agree with you, Judy, about the service from CircleLord...these days it's more likely to have complaints about the service one gets from companies these days!!! Also, I can hardly get over your never-ending problems with the move! I bet there are times this past month that you wish you could smack some heads together... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
annlittle1 Posted January 24, 2007 Report Share Posted January 24, 2007 I'm really hesitant to write this. I figure I will probably get my head chopped off for giving my opinion. Please don't come back and YELL at me. As I stated this is my opinion, and I know that it differs from most everyone else. I have the CL and I find it to be a pain in the neck. I have the basic CL with the circle template, the Aztec template and book, and the crosshatch template. My husband installed it on the machine, so I know that it was done correctly. I found the instructions for the basic circle template impossible to understand. Thank goodness for the book that I bought for the Aztec template. It was well written and I was able to figure out the basic circles from the Aztec book. I've used it on four or five quilts in the last eighteen months. I've also played with it on practice muslin. I've always had problems with the templates slipping, even with non-slide stuff under them. Yes, I've tightened everything down. I'm afraid to tighten it any further because I'm afraid that I'll strip the screws on it When I make circles, the ends don't come together because it has shifted just slightly. If it doesn't shift then the stylus slips out of the groove and I wind up having to frog stitches that don't belong there. To me, just setting it up on the machine and trying to get it in the right place is a headache. I bought the crosshatch template a few months ago to do a quilt. Slipping was a problem, even with the non-slip stuff under it. The other thing was that I could only do about three complete lines on the 10 inch border before I had to shift it. Shifting it and getting it perfectly aligned was frustrating. About half way down the sides I gave up and went back to a ruler. Lastly, I think that it is over priced. I know, "you can make $50.00 an hour using the giant templates". Well, that's great, but you have to have the volume to justify paying the price in the first place and I doubt that most of us have the volume that we feel we can really pay that much for those templates. The crosshatch template that I recently purchased sells for $179.00. For Pete's sake, its a piece of that fake wood (sorry, can't remember the correct name of it) with grooves cut into it and painted red. It doesn't even include the non-slide stuff that Michael suggests you use under it to minimize shifting. $50.00, maybe, but not $179.00. So, why did I buy the template? I reasoned that since I already had the CL, I might as well try to use it as much as possible. Michael, please don't call me. We've already had one confrontation about it and I really don't want another one. Everyone else loves you and the CL. If anyone is still interested after reading my opinion, I am willing to sell the CL and the templates that I have. I have $1032 invested in it, but I'm willing to sell it for $625.00 plus shipping costs. Okay, let the flames begin! I think I'll hide out for a week or two. Phyllis Hughes Oklahoma City Phyllis Hughes Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mary Beth Posted January 24, 2007 Report Share Posted January 24, 2007 Phyllis, Don't be afraid to post your opinion here on this web site. If you are having problems with the CL or any product, thoses of us that have been considering them should hear about it. It seems that everyone loves the CL, I kept thinking there has to be something someone doesn't like about it. As for price - that is my big draw back. I just don't have the volume of business it would take to justify spending that kind of money on the CL and templates. I know there are lots of quilters out there doing the volume it takes, but not me, not yet. Maybe in a few years when my machine is paid for I will feel more comfortable spending the money on the CL - but for now, I have the HF I'm going to learn to use it and be happy with it. Thank you for sharing, and please don't hide out for 2 weeks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Linda S Posted January 24, 2007 Report Share Posted January 24, 2007 Phyllis - never be afraid to post your opinions. I installed my Circle Lord myself and had it all working in a matter of about an hour. I've never had any trouble with slippage. Sorry it didn't work out for you. It is best that you sell it and let someone else have a go at it. Tools are only good if you can use them! Linda Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ramona-quilter Posted January 24, 2007 Report Share Posted January 24, 2007 Phyllis, I agree with Linda S. A tool is only good if you can use it. I had some problems with the book too, initially. I finally broke the code on it and don't know what made it finally click. I did have trouble with one of the templates in the beginning. It was because I was putting the yellow one on top of the grey base one and then put the template on top of those two. I had a hard time trying to make the template (spiral or crosshatch) stay put. I got the template center to mount on the circular nut-thing but then when I tried to lock it with the side hole on the template, it kept coming off. Once I removed the yellow thing so that it was just the grey rectangle with the template on top, I got a bigger bite of the lock in the side hole. I still have to remember to tighten every thing up. I also have a highspot in my table where the joint between the 2 halves of the table is. I have to lift the CL a little as I move the base over that area. If you don't like the CL, though, I bet you won't have a hard time selling it at that price. Somebody will snatch it up. I also agree with the other comments. This is an open forum, we don't have flamers here. All opinions are welcome. You may be saying something or asking a question that a lurker is afraid to ask. All questions are good. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Judi Posted January 24, 2007 Report Share Posted January 24, 2007 Well said to both Lindas - we should be able to speak our piece here - that is what this forum is for!! Phyllis - Sorry you have had such problems! I am sure you will be able to sell it. I do agree with you about the price - I am just lucky enough that I was able to get a used set-up as well - at a good deal! The bonus was - it was all put together already too!! I don't have a real high volume - I would if I quilted faster or more hours a day - but I am still having FUN and that is what is important to me!! I want a new template - but right now batting purchase is much more important - and some threads too!! We all have to do what works for our own situation (sp?). P.S. I still have not figured out the code in those books!! I just play and do what I like - and take photos of how I had it set-up to do cetain things - for next time! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
annlittle1 Posted January 25, 2007 Report Share Posted January 25, 2007 Thanks everyone. I was really nervous about that reply because everyone else loves CL and I've just not found it to my liking. Everytime I think about using it on a quilt, the next thought that follows is "I don't want to deal with that today." so I find another way to do the quilt. Michael did contact me today and he was not confrontational this time. He will be in the Oklahoma City area next Friday, so he offered to come and take a look at it and see if he can fix it for me. So we'll see what happens. Judi, the Aztec book really helped me understand how to use the CL. The instructions in it are written very clearly. After reading them I finally understood how to work the basic CL. Its also full of designs for using the Aztez template. Phyllis Hughes Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dixieqwv Posted January 25, 2007 Report Share Posted January 25, 2007 Thank you Phyllis. I almost purchased the HF at a greatly reduced price. Alas, I was scared off by the negative postings .... I think only 2 people were happy with the HF. I'd love to own the CL but since I only quilt for myself and charities it'll be a long time before I can afford it. I love looking at the the CL blog and seeing everyones work ....... ahhh only if I had been born ugly but rich (I could have had plastic surgery and bought the CL). I hope you'll post after Michael stops by to see you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dixieqwv Posted January 25, 2007 Report Share Posted January 25, 2007 Phyllis I sent you a U2U message ....... I don't see an email button for you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
annlittle1 Posted January 26, 2007 Report Share Posted January 26, 2007 dixieqwv, Oh my goodness, I had seven U2U messages to be read! Sorry everyone. I always forget about U2U. I've replied to all of them. Maybe I need to go into my profile and see about putting in an email address. Phyllis Hughes OKC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phyllis Posted January 28, 2007 Report Share Posted January 28, 2007 I am truly a Circle Lord fan...it is costly but boy, can it do some beautiful patterns. I have had some trouble with slipage, but it is usually my own fault. It's probably that Craft thing again. Had the Hartley Fence and could never get the hang of it. I need EASY! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
annlittle1 Posted February 3, 2007 Report Share Posted February 3, 2007 Hi all, Michael was here today to work on my CL. Evidently, I was one of the first ones for a Liberty. Since then he has made a few changes that make it work better on the Liberty. He also found some problems with the long arm part. He fixed that. He realized that I needed a longer stylus because I have the blue pads under the head. Of course, he also found that a washer was on the wrong spot on the arm, and I must confess that I'm probably the one that did that. DH had installed the arm on the wrong side of the machine and I moved it around. I managed to get the washer in the wrong place and there may have been another thing that I put back wrong, but I don't remember what it was. By the time that Michael finished, nothing was going to shift unless you released it. The stylus didn't jump out of the grooves either. Michael told me that he was going to be out this way anyway so he would stop by and fix it. When I talked with him this afternoon I found out that he came a 1000 miles out of his way to come fix my CL. Yes, Michael does believe in customer service. I realize that when I spoke with Michael on the phone several months ago, he was really trying to help me, but he tends to come on a bit strong at times. That doesn't work well with me; you have to take a "softer" approach with me. I think that I am going to keep the CL for a while longer and try to use it. If I still find that I am uncomfortable with it, then I'll put it up for sale on this forum. Now that it is fixed, maybe I'll enjoy using it instead of getting an instant headache. Phyllis Hughes Oklahoma City Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Judi Posted February 3, 2007 Report Share Posted February 3, 2007 Good to hear the update Phyllis. Sounds like everything should be smooth now for you, just relax and play..... It can be a bunch of fun, but like everything else in life -- it sure is a headache when it ISN't working right! Amazing how just one little washer can be such a pain! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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