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Longarm Tech Tips

WHY WOULD YOU...

by Dan Novak, Nolting Manufacturing

When I share these articles, I always try to write about things that have recently come up. I hear from people all over the world and the brand of machine each person uses always varies. From this network I notice trends in problems. They seem to run in cycles.

One of the biggest problems I encounter is people getting incorrect technical advice for their longarm machines. Often, this incorrect information comes from the Internet. People on the Internet genuinely want to help. They offer their best advice, but often the combined advice comes in a wide range. The correct answer is usually in there somewhere, but you need to be careful when you are researching.

Another chance for trouble comes when the correct solution is not the obvious answer. E-mail can be limiting when conversation is needed. It can be hard to communicate the exact problem via e-mail. I find it much easier with a phone conversation. Over the phone, I can diagnose the problem quickly with a thoughtful series of questions. This process eliminates the things that aren’t wrong with a machine and narrows it down to the true problem quicker.

And finally, trouble comes when the correct technical solution is not chosen because it is too obvious. More times than I can count, people have tried to reset hook timing or move the needle bar because they were breaking thread. Sometimes the solution is as simple as adjusting the tension, loosening the quilt, putting the needle in correctly or simply changing the thread.

This always makes me wonder why anyone would make a major adjustment on their expensive quilting machine based on information from someone who does not fix quilting machines for a living. It is great that everyone is trying to help, and trying to give their best advice, but sometimes this leads to more problems than you started with. This could even lead to a costly repair because it makes the original problem harder to diagnose.

Save yourself some time and money and please call the people that work on these machines every day. Always try to call when you are near your machine.

I hope this helps you find the solutions when you need them.

Good luck and keep the quilts rolling!

Dan Novak is the lead technician for Nolting Manufacturing Inc. Dan is responsible for the assembly, retro fit, repair and adjustment of all longarm machines built and repaired at Nolting. Dan is a technical instructor at quilting trade shows and enjoys working on all things mechanical.

Reprinted from Quilting NOW, February 2008