One step closer

For those of you who helped me a month or more ago with setting up the Grace frame and long arm machine, I have incorporated every bit of advice you gave me and now have my leaders attached to the frame. I think they are on the right poles. Before I got this far, I decided I needed more light over the machine and frame, and began loading some extra flourescent fixtures with new bulbs. You guessed it, one of the bulbs fell out and smashed to a million tiny pieces over everything. That curbed my enthusiasm for a few hours, but I went to the hardware store and bought new bulbs and will be extra careful when I load the other fixture.

I have a question about the machine. Do you run the power cord up and out of the way, or down under the table? Seems to me it would drag either way.

I'm going to get back after this project after some dinner, and who knows, I may be long arm quilting before this weekend is over.

I can't help with your question, but good luck.

Hey Jean, I don't know if anyone mentioned this, but to protect your investment in the machine, it's a good idea to run it plugged into an Uninterrupted Power Supply (UPS). I run all my high end electronics on one, computer, new sewing machine, living room TV set. It provides battery back-up to shut things down correctly and is a set above a really good surge protector. You can get them at any office supply store, Best buy, Sam's Club, etc. One of the smaller $50.00 ones would work for your longarm and take away a lot of risk.

Jean, I personally have an extension cord mounted midway underneath my frame and plug my machine cord in that. I can reach both ends of my frame and the cord doesnt drag much on the floor. When I had my Gammill, I used a power bar mounted in the same spot. The cord on the Gammill is a heavy cord that looks like a spring. Whne it dragged on the floor you felt a very definate pull. Other LAers have mounted a wire above the machine and their cord hangs from this. Some ride on wheels while others hang from a spring.

Here are a couple pics:

Attachment 23170

Attachment 23171

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Originally Posted by K. McEuen

Hey Jean, I don't know if anyone mentioned this, but to protect your investment in the machine, it's a good idea to run it plugged into an Uninterrupted Power Supply (UPS). I run all my high end electronics on one, computer, new sewing machine, living room TV set. It provides battery back-up to shut things down correctly and is a set above a really good surge protector. You can get them at any office supply store, Best buy, Sam's Club, etc. One of the smaller $50.00 ones would work for your longarm and take away a lot of risk.

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Karen, never thought of that for a sewing machine. My husband had one for his computer when we lived in the country and we had a lot of quick off and on power outages. I may still have it tucked away in the basement. It was a huge thing, and weighted a bunch. I am struggling with how and where to plug the machine in, because it is set up in the middle of the basement work area, and all the plugs are on the wall behind some shelves, I'll have to look in to that idea.

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Originally Posted by Denis

Jean, I personally have an extension cord mounted midway underneath my frame and plug my machine cord in that. I can reach both ends of my frame and the cord doesnt drag much on the floor. When I had my Gammill, I used a power bar mounted in the same spot. The cord on the Gammill is a heavy cord that looks like a spring. Whne it dragged on the floor you felt a very definate pull. Other LAers have mounted a wire above the machine and their cord hangs from this. Some ride on wheels while others hang from a spring.

Here are a couple pics:

Attachment 23170

Attachment 23171

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I was hoping to get advice from you, Denis! You've guided me through a lot of small problem areas in this venture already with great advice. I found that video that you suggested to be very instructional, I haven't looked at the entire thing, but need to get it out and look again at the end of it. My machine will probably be plugged in to a ceiling outlet, so that first picture is most likely to be the way it will have to be. I'll have to see about making sure the cord can reach from one end of the frame to the other.

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Originally Posted by Jean Sewing Machine

I was hoping to get advice from you, Denis! You've guided me through a lot of small problem areas in this venture already with great advice. I found that video that you suggested to be very instructional, I haven't looked at the entire thing, but need to get it out and look again at the end of it. My machine will probably be plugged in to a ceiling outlet, so that first picture is most likely to be the way it will have to be. I'll have to see about making sure the cord can reach from one end of the frame to the other.

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Is that second picture a ceiling mounted set up?

Best of Luck Jean - Hope all goes well - sorry to hear about the broken glass, glad you were not hurt (this time)

Attachment 23185
Hi Jean, here is a pic of my setup. My power leads go to a power board and that then runs under the table. I have my leads cable tied together. It doesn't cause me any problems and moves freely from side to side.


Also my DH made a frame and put up these fluro lights for me... bless him :-) they work really well.
Attachment 23184

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Originally Posted by wendyw1

Attachment 23185
Hi Jean, here is a pic of my setup. My power leads go to a power board and that then runs under the table. I have my leads cable tied together. It doesn't cause me any problems and moves freely from side to side.


Also my DH made a frame and put up these fluro lights for me... bless him :-) they work really well.
Attachment 23184

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I bought a heavy duty extension cord, which I think i can mount in the center of the frame like you did. The machine cord seems long enough to reach both ends of the frame. I'm so happy, it seems like the encoders work correctly, had to guess how to install them, they hadn't updated the directions for the kind of table they are selling now. But there is really only way for them to attach. What a learning curve this is!

Love your light frame! It's great to have enough light to see what you are doing.

What machine are you using on your frame?

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Originally Posted by Jean Sewing Machine

What machine are you using on your frame?

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I'm using a Janome 1600P. It's a semi industrial, hight speed machine. It has 9" throat space but once you start quilting with the take up roller you get down to only having about 5" working area, so very limiting for patterns etc. But I love to be able to just 'finish off a quilt', even if it is only with stippling, which I do enjoy doing anyway.

You have done well Jean to get as far as you have, you must send some pics soon. I hope you enjoy it as much as I enjoy mine. Wendy

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Originally Posted by wendyw1

I'm using a Janome 1600P. It's a semi industrial, hight speed machine. It has 9" throat space but once you start quilting with the take up roller you get down to only having about 5" working area, so very limiting for patterns etc. But I love to be able to just 'finish off a quilt', even if it is only with stippling, which I do enjoy doing anyway.

You have done well Jean to get as far as you have, you must send some pics soon. I hope you enjoy it as much as I enjoy mine. Wendy

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I thought that it was or a 6500 or 6600. I had 6600 with thoughts to put it on a frame like yours. I traded it in when I got this set up. Machine is a Pfaff Grand Quilter 18.8 , aka Husquvarna 18.8, aka Tin Lizzie.

I will be interested to see how you go with your tin lizzie.

I'm interested in knowing if you run into any problems. Don't forget that I have the HV Mega-Quilter 8x18 and have been down the road of problems . . .

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Originally Posted by Sandy Navas

I'm interested in knowing if you run into any problems. Don't forget that I have the HV Mega-Quilter 8x18 and have been down the road of problems . . .

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Yes, Sandy, I know, and I a'fearin' that! But my dealer isn't as far away as yours was, so it will go back to him if it doesn't work right. Did you say they said the timing was off? I have a video that teaches you how to fix that, but it sounds like a scary proposition. I'm about to sew my first stitches, so wish me luck!

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Originally Posted by Jean Sewing Machine

Yes, Sandy, I know, and I a'fearin' that! But my dealer isn't as far away as yours was, so it will go back to him if it doesn't work right. Did you say they said the timing was off? I have a video that teaches you how to fix that, but it sounds like a scary proposition. I'm about to sew my first stitches, so wish me luck!

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Wishing you luck. The cable from the quilter to the computer was damaged or in some way dysfunctional. They replaced it and the encoders (twice).

What computer system did you get with yours?

Oh, and after talking to the Tin Lizzie people (who actually make your machine and mine) I found that they were more helpful than the HV dealer I bought from. So, if you run into real problems just give them a call. They were fantastic to work with.