Jump to content

hydralic table lift?


Recommended Posts

I never thought that I would want or need a table lift but now I'm rethinking that. I am the only one who quilts on my machine so I thought setting the height to me would be enough. Now I'm doing a quilt that I wish I could change the table height several times to get my eyes, hands and tools just right.

So, my question for those of you who have this do you change your height several times during a quilt?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Sheryl:

I change the height numberous times while quilting. I have found when loading a quilt I like to raise it up real high so I'm not bending over even a little bit, even bending over a slight bit hurts the old back.....;) Then when quilting if you change the tables position it really does relieve your back.

Granted, the lift is expensive, but it does give ones back a surprising relief when you need it.....So....I highly recommend the lift.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Guest Linda S

I have recently injured my back very badly. I have to see the spine specialist next Friday. As soon as I finish saving up the money (almost there), I'm ordering my hydraulic lift. I've had several times when I really wished I had it. Life is too short to not be able to change positions when you're dealing with deadlines and can't stop to massage your back!

Linda

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Linda,

I so hope there isn't anything seriously wrong with your back. I know what it feels like. REST and take anti inflammatories and ice your back. Swimming or floating is also good, sometimes even when it hurts cause it helps relax the and take pressure off your disc's.

Take care!!!

Quilt Hugs

Tish;)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Like Linda, I too have a back problem--seems to be hereditary in our family. I've been going to the chiropractor regularly for the last month. I really popped it bad this time. <p><b>I LOVE my lift. </b>I can choose to lift the table to change a bobbin or to sew at a different height for any details. No, I do not move the height a lot for each quilt, however, it sure is nice when you need to do details. </p>I also have found that I use the back of my table for cutting. Now, the height adjustment is wonderful for that. I can lift the whole table, put my cutting mat on the table and may back is so thankful. </p>

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Guest Linda S

Tish - I find out just how bad it is this Friday. I fell backwards and landed on top of my lawnmower, striking the engine with the small of my back. I've been bruised and limpy for four weeks now. The disc at the bottom of my back (L5 to S1) is ruptured and the one above it is fairly well herniated. The three above that are all bulging out. I'm hoping to get by with injections to shrink the discs, but my doctor said he doesn't think that will work for the bottom disc. I've been spending most of my time on an ice pack and doing gentle Pilates-type exercises to strengthen my core and relieve the pressure on my back. I've been on percocet for the past two weeks and there are times when it just doesn't quite touch the pain. Needless to say, I'm not quilting right now. :( Can't wait to be better!

Linda

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Linda,

You are the queen of the Circle Lord...I think I am the queen of lower back problems :) I fell down our stairs a few years ago and hit my rear right on the edge of a step. My elbow went through the sheet rock wall, and when my feet hit the lanolium at the bottom my feet stopped the spill, but my momentum kept me going up and over, finally I landed in a heap at the bottom of the stairs. My bottom was bruised to the bone for several months. They used ultrasound to help heal that bruise. My L5 was also protruding. I tried the shots in my spine...I think they give 3 shots - once a week for 3 weeks or until the pain stops. My pain didn't stop. Finally I had surgery and that didn't help. Then I found a chiropractor - don't like 'em, don't want to go back, but he did help me. But it had to be the right one, becuase I went to one before surgery and he just wanted to see me 3 times a week at $40 each visit with no end in sight.

Anyway, I say all that to say this...keep up the Pilates - they are one of the best exercises on the planet to do, also, walk, walk, walk. I know it hurts to even think about it, and if you are like I was, I couldn't lift my feet off the floor to take a step. It was horrible pain and I can honestly say I know what you are going through. Hang in there, girl, it will get better, just takes time.

Keep us informed on your progress.

Mary Beth

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 4 weeks later...

I got my hydraulic lift when I purchased my machine last Jan. It has become THE most useful add on to the frame. I raise the frame to load the quilt, custom set it to my height/sight requirements for stitching and also use it to raise the frame legs to slip three wheeled casters under each leg. The frame is then lowered onto the casters then the hyd. lift leg is raised up to clear the caster. I then can waltz my big ol 14' frame across the concrete floor with one hand. ;) In my opinion it is worth the cost, especially when you consider the cost of back pain and worse.

Sincerely

pat K

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Have to report on my lift OHMYGOSH :P:P:P I love it. I sent several days just pushing the button to watch my machine go up and down..... How Cool......... Well I was actually unpacking and didn't have time to quilt so that was the best I could do. Now that I am quilting OHMYGOSH, I love it even more.

Linda hope your back is better soon

Myrna

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Linda, I feel for you so much, hang in there girl, I've had a tender lower back on and off for a long time since I moved to our last house and lifted one too many heavy boxes. My doc said exercise would help the most, anything to strengthen your back muscles. I also had to get the best chairs for back support or buy those little things from the office supply store for back support for driving, at the office etc. You might also get some help by placing a board under your mattress to keep it firmer.

Myrna, you are the most amazing quilter and made quilting look effortless, absolutely effortless on the Millenium. I felt like I had an aerobics instructor or personal trainer right next to me! I was wondering, maybe other people are too, what would we be in for on cost for the lift if you can mention it on the post. I didn't know there even was such a thing, although I've seen a sewing machine cabinet/table thing with a hydraulic lift that looked fabulous.

As it is, for any dsm quilters on the forum, at the moment, I am using an architects chair which has a longer range for adjustment so depending on what I'm doing, it gives me lots of options for getting comfortable or seeing better, etc.

I'm sure everyone knows this already, but I also bought one of those plastic pipes for sprinkling systems (PVC?) that I used to give my cutting table stilts so I never have to bend down to much which really helps on back pain alot.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

LOL Kathy and thank you. I do have a bit of energy that gets away from me here and there:D

Of course I can mention it. The lift is 1500.00 + shipping. I know that is a lot but it is so worth it even though it took awhile for me to get it. It was worth the wait. let me know if you want to order one ;) Have you tried the saddle chair to sit at your longarm? It rocks too and goes as high as I need it to go with my lift.

For my small cutting table I had 9 in pieces of 4x4 drilled out to the dimension of my table legs. What a difference.

Myrna

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

×
×
  • Create New...