When I was longarm shopping I went to 3 different shows over 2 years to test drive them and I talked to a lot of owners. One thing I asked every owner was about maintenance and repairs. Consistently I heard from APQS owners that they almost ever have to do any maintenance and when they do, they can do it themselves.
They were right. I've had Willie since the week before Katrina hit and I rarely have to do anything to it and, so far, I have done every adjustment or repair myself. Yesterday was a case in point.
I've been working on Kim's quilt and noticed that when I take a single stitch (like to bring the bobbin thread up) that often the thread would catch something under the quilt and I'd wind up breaking the thread or bringing up several loops. If finally got on my nerves enough to try to investigate it.
A quick look in the maintenance manual suggested that the cause may be that I needed to adjust the mag collar (whatever that is).
Every page of the maintenance manual has very detailed photos like these. I removed my sole plate and, sure enough, when I did a single stitch my bobbin case looked like the one it the top right photo......in other words, wrong.
Ten minutes later I had the back cover off and was making an adjustment to the mag collar (it has a magnet in it).
Ten more minutes and Willie was back together and I was back to cross-hatching and stitching perfectly again. I should finish all of the cross-hatching today because I am totally engrossed in an audiobook and will quilt as long as the book lasts. With the cross-hatching done I will be half done with the quilting on this one and so far I am loving it......even if it is pink.
that is great that you can do the repair/adjustments yourself. You sound like me although for me it is watching/listening to old tv shows or movies - once I get going I can quilt through the entire show or movie. I don't do audio books as I am a page flipper and need to reread spots (which I am finally adjusting to with my kindle)
I know two local quilters that have the same machine you do and they are both satisfied with it also.
Posted by: Karen | November 08, 2012 at 12:30 PM
Most of the longarmers I know have taken the time to understand the basics so they can maintain their own machines and troubleshoot problems and mostly resolve them. Once you're not afraid of digging into the book (and the machine), I think you've crossed a major hurdle for some. Brava!
Posted by: Sophie | November 08, 2012 at 05:19 PM
sounds like your research paid off! I've thought about a long arm quilter but decided I lack the talent and it's less expensive for me to hire it out. around here, it's $30 for a queen size quilt which is more than affordable.
Posted by: Sandra at Thistle Cove Farm | November 08, 2012 at 07:43 PM
I love my APQS also. i've had mine 6 years now and rarely have any issues. a couple issues that i had happened in the first year and they helped me over the phone. i do want to take the case off and clean it up real good and oil. i took a class last year but still haven't done it. my motto is....if it aint' broke...don't 'fix' it. LOL happy you and Willie are compatible. i love my Anna.
Posted by: shirley bruner | November 09, 2012 at 08:17 AM
Pink rules!
Posted by: KimP | November 12, 2012 at 10:03 AM