meg_marsh Posted August 14, 2012 Report Share Posted August 14, 2012 I use mine all the time. Linda - my surgeon has forbidden me to try to touch my toes - used to be able to put my hands flat on the floor. Yes - he encourages me to stretch and make sure I stay very flexible but as to touching my toes - NO. He does not want undue stress on my fusions. I go as far as my ankles and that is ok with him. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Busy Quilting Posted August 14, 2012 Report Share Posted August 14, 2012 I was able to get my frame to go even lower using the hydraulic lift. If you look at the table legs they have a screw in bolt with the round feet underneath. Since the lift fits under the table legs I removed the long screws (silver in Vickie's pic) and was able to get my whole table two inches lower. A lot better for this vertically challenged quilter. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bonnie H Posted August 14, 2012 Report Share Posted August 14, 2012 My hydraulics look similar to the picture Vicki posted. For the first two years of having my frame, I would notice that it would get itself out of level regularly (I don't have an APQS frame). Finally, after nearly two years, it was diagnosed that one of my hydraulics may have been leaking a little bit of air, causing my frame to become unlevel. When this would happen, it was harder than the dickens to steer through pantos and I would re-level the table. A couple of months ago I called the company to ask again what might be causing my table to become unlevel so often. Luckily, this time I spoke to someone different and he told me it could be the hydraulics, if I hadn't been using them regularly, which I hadn't at that time. He had me lower the frame completely to the ground and then raise it to where I wanted it. This easily solves the problem but I am wondering if anyone out there with hydraulics had this happen to them, too? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Linda S Posted August 15, 2012 Report Share Posted August 15, 2012 Marlene - those hydraulic cylinders are kind of like a piston. When you push the button, the motor increases the pressure and the inner part (in the pic above, it's the skinny black part at the bottom) pushes the outer cylinder up and it raises the whole table. Very slick. I have pics of the installation on my table, but I don't think I have pics of varying heights. Maybe I could try doing that tomorrow. I'm in the middle of a huge custom quilt and it's kicking my butt. Oh - as it so happens, you can see in this photo that the cylinder has lifted the table leg off the floor. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Linda S Posted August 15, 2012 Report Share Posted August 15, 2012 Here it is on the back leg - please ignore all dust and mess in these photos. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Linda S Posted August 15, 2012 Report Share Posted August 15, 2012 Here's the up and down switch - it is mounted on the table just below where the break is on my machine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Linda S Posted August 15, 2012 Report Share Posted August 15, 2012 This is the controller box which is mounted near the center at the back of the table. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carathren Posted November 30, 2012 Report Share Posted November 30, 2012 I really appeciate all the feedback on this subject. I too have disc problems in my lower back and constantly fight with back pain. I just throught it was the price to pay for the job I chose. Reading about so many of you and how the hydraulic lift can make such a difference, I may have to start saving for one. I never had one and my dear hubby & I have manually changed the height a few times. It's not difficult to do but not fun, that's for sure. Thank you to everyone and the information that you posted!! :-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
o2b Quilting Posted December 1, 2012 Report Share Posted December 1, 2012 Bonnie: It would not be unusual for the table to "settle" some in one corner or another over a period of time. I simply run mine all the way down and then all the way back up and then to the position of comfort and stitch away. I have the lift on three different machines. Only one "settles" and needs some "exercising" every few days. This lift system is older than the other two but it only takes a moment to level it so I don't consider it a big deal. Even our large farm equipment with hydraulics will have this issue... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimerickson Posted December 1, 2012 Report Share Posted December 1, 2012 A suggestion for those who think their table is too high. When you install the lift system, simply shorten the legs on your table so that the machine sets lower than stock when the lift is all the way down. Just cut the legs off. I'd use my angle grinder with an abrasive blade, but a hack saw would work just as well. Jim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Farmland Quilter Posted December 2, 2012 Report Share Posted December 2, 2012 Someone suggested to me but I can't remember who that when raising the table go a little higher than you want it and then lower it back down a little. It helps the table be a little more level. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whitepinesquilter Posted December 5, 2012 Report Share Posted December 5, 2012 I missed this whole discussion back in August so sure glad Cheryl commented. I, too, struggle with the height issue with my older square leg table (too short when working with pantos and too high when working from the front). I've had two back surgeries already, and am facing AC joint surgery (joint between the clavical and part of the scapula), so either position at the table, at the wrong heights, causes a lot of pain which leads to terrible muscle spasms. I checked in to the cost of a new table and just cannot justify it. I showed this to my DH and bro - bro says he can modify for square legs, and I think DH quickly decided what my Christmas present is going to be! LOVE this forum, and LOVE my hubby! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MtnBarb Posted December 5, 2012 Report Share Posted December 5, 2012 Thanks for posting all the information on the Suspa lifts. I've regretted not getting the lifts when I first bought my Freedom. The more I age the more my back gives me trouble and I wish I'd had them put on. Now, I'll have a new item for my Christmas wish list! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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