juliagraves Posted June 8, 2007 Report Share Posted June 8, 2007 I rent my machine and had a gal that was about 5' 10" and she had a very difficult time seeing where she was heading with the machine when she was going towards the pickup roller. Her line of sight to behind the needle was completely blocked by the machine head and light. I had her try standing farther back from the machine but she said it was uncomfortable to have her arms stretched out. She ended up quite hunched over, which can't be very comfortable... I don't have a hydraulic lift and don't really want to purchase one. Any other ideas? Any tall people out there? What do you do? Thanks - Julia Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mary Beth Posted June 8, 2007 Report Share Posted June 8, 2007 5'-11" Raised my table. I think that would be the only thing she can do. I have a hard time going back toward my take up roller too. Like when I do a meander and I need to fill in something going back, I miss where I've already been and cross a line I hate that! It's kind of difficult when you are tall to be able to see. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BethDurand Posted June 8, 2007 Report Share Posted June 8, 2007 How about a stool for her? Something that she could sit down on, lowering her overall height to that of something more "normal". I would think it would need to be on wheels obviously. By the way, I'm 6', so I feel her pain. Beth Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CucumberQuilting Posted June 8, 2007 Report Share Posted June 8, 2007 Wow, at 5'7" that practically makes me a shrimp! Don't know why I haven't gotten around to getting the hydraulic lifts. It would save a lot of hunching over and peeking around to quilt. My husband was going to put my table legs up on blocks for me but we've never gotten around to doing that either. I think you just sort of get used to working with what you have. silly sometimes. I have a saddle stool that adjusts up and down but it really only gets used when I'm doing close work in a small area, like micro-stippling. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Crafty Unicorn Posted June 8, 2007 Report Share Posted June 8, 2007 Raising the table was a BIG help for me. I'm 5'11" and was having back issues for the first month I had my machine. The instruction manual never mentioned there is 9" of adjustment room in the legs... I found out through this forum. The only problem is, it's not something you want to do often- the whole leveling the table thing can be a pain. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mary Beth Posted June 9, 2007 Report Share Posted June 9, 2007 I would say, once you get it where you want it....leave well enough alone!! Hydraulic lifts would be nice, after using them at MQS I can see where they would be a big help if you wanted to sit or stand or you have more than one person on a machine....but for the price...how many quilts would I need to do to pay for that feature?? Just adjust it and we will save whatever money I have left after MQS to buy groceries next week Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sewingupastorm Posted June 9, 2007 Report Share Posted June 9, 2007 I am 5'10" and used to use the longarm that my guild rented. I always left with a very sore back that hurt for a few days. My machine was set up with the table for my height. I would suggest getting a hydraulic lift as there are many tall people out there and you do not want them to have back pain. I do have a chair but only use it for detail work and when I use it I do love it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mary Beth Posted June 9, 2007 Report Share Posted June 9, 2007 If you are tall, you can raise the legs on your table to accomodate your height. I didn't know that at first. We put 2 2x4 blocks stacked on top of each other for about a year....then one day someone psoted something asking if the legs were adjustable - I remember thinking how nice that would be Then I realized I had that feature. We readjusted and now the table fits me fine. My next purchase will be a saddle stool. Currently when I sit, I sit on a bar stool, which works ok, but I have heard that the saddle stool makes you sit up straight and I need that. I would not invest in the lift, unless you just have a lot of money to spend. I really don't think you need it unless you want to readjust the height all the time - that would be up to you...personally, there are so many gadgets out there that I would rather have. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
georgia Posted June 10, 2007 Report Share Posted June 10, 2007 If anyone is still quilting with their table at the lowest height, please consider raising the table. I am a relative shortie (5'3") and just assumed when I set up my machine, that I should have the legs adjusted to the lowest height (and quilted that way for 2+ years). My painful back issues were deteriorating and I was growing concerned that I might have to give up longarming. A quilting friend of mine recommended a trainer and biomechanical specialist who came over and observed Millie and I at work (front and back of machine), sitting at my DSM, computer and TV chair. I have to admit that more of my time is spent there than folding laundry and cooking! Well, long story short.... The specialist had me raise my table 4" and it has changed my life. Pain was almost immediately relieved and I can spend hours longer at the machine. (1 twin and 1 full Panto today). The only one not pleased with changing the table height is my Chiropractor - haven't been back to see her for awhile. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nora123 Posted June 28, 2007 Report Share Posted June 28, 2007 I am 5'9" so my husband bought (6) 52" 2X6's which we put under the feet (3 under each side). We tried raising the feet that was a joke. It went so far but not as high as was described in the information APQS passes out. So we lowered them back down and the wood works great. Looks funny but it works. Nora Millenium Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Crafty Unicorn Posted June 28, 2007 Report Share Posted June 28, 2007 Nora, There is about 9 inches "hidden" in the leg of the table. That's what that big black wrench is for... you know the one that's never mentioned in the instruction manual. The lower portion of the leg is just for leveling, the real lift is between the lower nut and the table itself. I can't explain it very well. I'll try to get some pictures. I thought about blocks (I'm 5'11"), but was affraid with all the vibration, the machine could walk off them and that would be an ugly surprise! Leslie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mary Beth Posted June 28, 2007 Report Share Posted June 28, 2007 Nora, Oh my, I did the exact same thing....we had two 2x4's under each foot on the legs of the table. Then I kept reading where everyone was talking about adjusting the legs. It worked. I am 5'11" and we were able to raise it to fit my height. Mary Beth Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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