DB Posted October 12, 2007 Report Share Posted October 12, 2007 Three days ago I went and purchased a used HQ sixteen. I had seriously considered a Lenni but have yet to see one, there are no dealers within 200+ miles and no road shows coming my way. With space constraints and this machine coming up for sale within a 2 mile drive I thought this might be a good first machine. The machine is stitch regulated and worked fine at the prevous owners home. I set it up yesterday and tried it out this morning, everything seemed fine, just needed minor adjustment of the tension. This afternoon I went to do some more quilting, moved the carriage to an empty area of my practice quilts, needle down to pull up my bobbin thread and then the machine stalled. I have up pulled it, plugged it back in, turned it on, off, checked the wheels, the thread, the bobbin anything I could to make sure that nothing is stuck some where that it shouldn't be. A call to Handi-Quilter was less than helpful, the woman that answered the phone kept telling me that I need to call my sales rep. even though I told her that I bought it used. (More than once).I've had this machine in my possesion for three days and I'm already not happy with this. So has anyone here owned this machine, or currently own this machine and have any experience with this problem? DB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kerri Posted October 12, 2007 Report Share Posted October 12, 2007 Hi, That message will come up and the machine will stop, as a safety feature when something is blocking the operation of the needle (ex. needle stuck in a really thick seam). If you had it off to the side without any fabric, you may have gotten some thread stuck in the bobbin race somewhere. With the machine off, you need to clear it and then turn it back on. It should then come up normally to the menu. Rotate your hand wheel a half turn at a time and check the bobbin area for stuck threads. I'm not sure if the needle was damaged, but you might want to check that too. quiltmonkey 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bonnie Posted October 12, 2007 Report Share Posted October 12, 2007 I can't help you with your problem...sorry, but I can tell you that my sister bought one when they first came out and she just loves it...so far hasn't had any trouble with it, but again she bought it brand new. Without knowing how the past machine was maintained its so hard to purchase something used and not have something go wrong with it right way...and am so sorry that this is where you are. I know that there are several dealers in Montana that would answer your question regardless of where you are...one in Helena and the other in Great Falls....I'm sure you can get those numbers from the operator...and I sure would try that or find the dealer in your area and ask them what they feel is your trouble. As I said I'm sorry you are going through this, but once you have it up and running you will have a great machine....sister is using her all the time and it has a great stitch. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DB Posted October 13, 2007 Author Report Share Posted October 13, 2007 OMG You guys are the best! I called Handi Quilter earlier today and got no where, I'm still waiting for a call back. Within 5 minutes of posting my problem here, I had the answer. Kerri, Thank you so much, if you were here I'd hug you. I did what you said, quite honestly didn't know that the hand wheel was the hand wheel until you mentioned it. Got the needle up and sure enough there was a 1/2" of thread wrapped around the needle. It's back to running just fine. I can't believe that was the problem. Bonnie, Thank you for your words of encouragement, I was quite hesitant about buying a used machine, but the previous owner let me try it out and walked me through it. It was hardly used, she showed me what she quilted on it, one big quilt and a bunch of baby quilts for charity. Simple stippling, nothing fancy. Purchased in 2004, serviced and had a stitch requlator added 2006, I checked with Handi Quilter. I don't think quilting was her thing, she has a bunch of embroidery machines and does alot of that. I had my heart set on a Lenni, maybe even a George because of my space but couldn't pass this up. Thank you both again, DB quiltmonkey 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kerri Posted October 13, 2007 Report Share Posted October 13, 2007 DB, I'm so glad to hear you found the problem! phew! It is a very sturdy machine and I hope you have lots of fun! Bonnie is right, a local HQ16 dealer should be the most helpful. I think that is how HQ tried to structure the sales and service. Happy Quilting quiltmonkey 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cmoore1223 Posted October 13, 2007 Report Share Posted October 13, 2007 DB, There is an HQ16 group that you might want to join as well as this group. They are very knowledgeable and helpful. There is a data base that has answers to a lot of questions about the HQ machine. I have an HQ16 and since I gave her new wheels she's a joy to work with. Enjoy your new toy! Coleen Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lindasewsit Posted October 21, 2007 Report Share Posted October 21, 2007 Hi Coleen! I am looking into a Lenni or an HQ16. The only thing about the Lenni, is there is no store even close to where I live. But the HQ 16 has a store about 2 hours away.... better than nothing! Where do I find the HQ16 group or chats? Do you have an address? Do you like your HQ16? Do you have a business, or just quilt for yourself? I read somewhere on these threads that the moter is not as powerful as the APQS machine. Have you had any problem with that? Thanks for taking the time to answer a "wannabe" Linda Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DB Posted October 23, 2007 Author Report Share Posted October 23, 2007 Linda, I have now owned the HQ 16 for several weeks and I can honestly tell you that I love it. I might occasionaly quilt someone elses quilt, but mostly it\'s just for my quilts. It\'s a great machine if you have limited space, which is an issue for me. I currently have mine expanded to a 7 foot table which works well for me. The Pro table that I purchased is pretty sturdy, and expands with leaves. I have chosen not to put them all in at this time because of the amount of space it would take up. There is no bumping up when you cross from one leaf to another. I can quilt a twin size on the current set up possibly a full size, quite honestly I haven\'t checked because I\'m still just playing around with it. The stitch regulator stitches wonderfully, mine also has a laser for pantos on the back of the machine. Previous to purchasing this machine, I had tested one, there is a dealer not too far away and had called the makers of the Circle Lord to make sure that their products could be used on the HQ 16, which they can. They have a line modified for this machine. From my limited use the motor seems quite impressive. With all this said please keep in mind that I bought mine used and saved thousands off the new retail price. I got lucky and located one that was in great shape and had been hardly used and was properly serviced. If I had more space and was going to buy new I would probably go with the Lenni, it\'s about a grand more. They both have limited quilting space but that\'s ok for me, I like to work close to where I can see. One clincher is that there are no APQS dealers remotely near me, no road shows heading this way and I just can\'t bring my self to spend over 10 grand on something site unseen. Oh the other hand, when I had the initial problem and didn\'t know what to do I called HQ for help. I was told a tech would get back to me. I\'m still waiting. I got my help from this site. When I had questions about an APQS machine and posted questions either Mark or another APQS rep answered them even though I don\'t own an APQS machine. In my opinion a big difference in service. Just a few things to mull over. If you want to locate the HQ chat site just look up Handiquilter, it\'s on their site. It\'s not as lively as this site, this site is pretty entertaining at times. Hope this helps your decision making. DB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dixieqwv Posted October 23, 2007 Report Share Posted October 23, 2007 HQ16 yahoo email groups http://groups.yahoo.com/group/HQ16/ http://groups.yahoo.com/group/HQ16Chatters/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lindasewsit Posted October 23, 2007 Report Share Posted October 23, 2007 Thanks DB and dixieqwv!! All the info I can get helps!! I received a packet with APQS info and a DVD yesterday. Read it and watched the DVD. I have to say, I am leaning toward the Lenni even though it cost somewhat more than the HQ16. I have heard a few people say that they like their HQ16 but wanted to bump up to an APQS. I really want to start a business with whatever I get , so hearing that makes me think Lenni. OH!! The wait to get enough $ is hard!! But good things come to those who wait.....paitiently!! Thanks again, ladies!!! linda Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crazy Stitcher Posted May 5, 2019 Report Share Posted May 5, 2019 Wow. Thank you all so much for everyones much appreciated advise. I too am the proud parent of a used HQ sixteen ... she was gifted to me by a fellow quilters family when she passed. So she had sat quietly waiting. We got the frame and system all set in place. I had sewn on her a few practice times so I am learning step by step and had a motor stall. Call to Handi Quilter was a waste of time. But I got the info here to get her back up and running in this older thread. Wonderful site! Wonderful help. I named my new sewing dream Big Mama. !! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dolores Brogdon Posted October 19, 2020 Report Share Posted October 19, 2020 I bought a used HQ16. I love it. However, I am having a problem. I have a quilt loaded. Mine does not have a stitch regulator. I turn it on and it turns on. Sometimes the needle will go down to pull up bobbin thread. Sometimes it won't. Sometimes it sews and then stops. I have oiled the bobbin case. I have thoroughly cleaned the bobbin case and bobbin area. I have unplugged and replugged all the areas that have plugs on the machine. (3). I have unplugged and replugged in the machine. I want to quilt. What do I need to do?Pleasehelp! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dolores Brogdon Posted October 19, 2020 Report Share Posted October 19, 2020 I also have changed the needle. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RunningThreads Posted November 9, 2020 Report Share Posted November 9, 2020 Maybe check the motor brushes if it has them. Nigel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laura Turner Posted March 13, 2021 Report Share Posted March 13, 2021 Reading through these, great help.! I am having a communication issue with proststcher and my HQsixteen sooo I am only air stitching. Can not get communication going. Any thoughts? Thanks for reading Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RunningThreads Posted July 11, 2021 Report Share Posted July 11, 2021 Spam reported dbams 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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