July 9, 2023
Dear Friends,
Had an interesting service call on Thursday, to work on a HandiQuilter Infinity longarm. Infinities, with a 26-inch throat space and high-speed capabilities, are HandiQuilter’s top-of-the line longarm model. Hardly anything ever goes wrong with them.
There were two issues with the one Thursday. First, the needle was not precisely in the center of the needle plate hole. This adjustment turned out to be a shockingly simple process, although it does require a tech. Second, the thread tension wasn’t right. The machine owner had purchased her machine from another HandiQuilter dealer in this region, so never received the training and support we always give our customers. On an infinity, you don’t adjust the upper thread tension by turning the knob. You use the machine’s software to get it done. We showed her how to do this, which is simple and accurate, and results in perfect beautiful stitching.
Fact is, I loved working on this machine. Made me think back through HandiQuilter’s progression of longarm machine engineering since Donna and I bought our first longarm, an Avante, back in 2014. Great machine, but to do repairs, adjustments, or maintenance, you had to first remove the power supply, then take the entire side off the machine.
The Amaras were a great improvement, which is plain when viewing the insides of the machines. At HandiQuilter tech training, 2019, had to dissemble and reassemble an Amara (20-inch throat space) about five times. A Forte (now called Amara 24), had the same engineering but with a 24-inch throat space. They were improved from the Avantes, and Avantes were discontinued in about 2020. What was not so impressive at that time (2019) were the Infinities. A really good machine, but taking them apart showed they were not as well engineered as the Amaras.
Since that time, I’ve put together two newer-model Infinities for customers and the one for our shop. That, plus working on the machine Thursday really showed what a vast feat of redesigning and re-engineering has been done since my 2019 tech training.
Amara machines are still great, but if you can do it, Handi Quilter’s Infinity is the one to have. It costs more because of the extra technology, but wow, what a machine. As mentioned before, but you absolutely owe it to yourself to make the drive to Fox Country Quilts in Commerce, Texas, and try out these machines. And don’t forget, if you buy one from us, you get two full days of hands-on training free, plus phone or zoom support afterwards if needed. This isn’t some empty promise . . . we really do it! Mention Donna's discount and you'll get free shipping. Mention Chip's discount and you'll get free set up in your home (we’ve heard some retailers charge an extra $500 for set up . . whew!). Come visit us soon!
Chip
