Great information from all of you. I have been looking at frames and wondering if I want one. Right now I'm learning FMQ. And still really learning. Not at all accomplished. I found this setup made by a woman's son and seems to have lots of happy customers
http://f9g.yahoofs.com/groups/g_18266016/.HomePage/__sr_/e666.jpg?grACQkIBpHdDWjWh

and certainly much cheaper.

Here's their Yahoo group:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/TerryMframe/


But still don't know if I want to work that way.

Good points here in this thread to consider.

I also have an HQ16 and have been very pleased at it's performance. I went to Houston's IQF to look at all the mid, long & stretched machines. I soon learned that I did not want a "stretched" machine but something built for the designated purpose of machine quilting. HQ does have many qualities of the larger commercial machines and if you want the poles, SR, computer guide, etc. HQ has all those items. But I took my time and decided that, for my purposes, I simply wanted the HQ with a sit-down table. I move the quilt rather than handlebars but it is just what I like. I wish HQ made smaller needles (they have size 16 & 18 only) but it is completely satisfactory otherwise.

I have a HQ16. Perfect for my situation - I didn't have enough room to setup a permanent frame for a "big boy" machine like the Gammill or APQS. I bought the expandable table for the HQ16 and I am able to set it up in my dining room and then take it down when I'm finished or needing my dining room back (although that is not a quick task, it's do-able with help lifting the stuff).

I liked it enough to go ahead and purchase the Pro-Stitcher computerized upgrade for it. Now, I'm quilting with computerized - what amazing things I can do now! Suddenly I'm a good quilter instead of a beginner!

My machine has worked beautifully for me - no problems.. And it solved my space problem with it's portability.

HandiQuilter makes the HQ16.
http://handiquilter.com/?a=LP&cat=C000

I agree with Patsy... if I were to do it again I'd skip the frame. I've come to enjoy quilting more sitting down than using a frame.

<a href="http://www.wanderingquilter.com">The Wandering Quilter's Life in a Box!</a>

Who manufactures the HG16. I have not seen one and would like to find a dealer where I could see one set up. Approximately what is the price? I want to start quilting my own things, this might be the answer. Thanks for any infromation you would like to share.
Rachel

I love my HQ16 and I feel like it gives me plenty of additional space to cram a quilt. I don't use it on a frame, and this saves several thousand dollars. I have a plexiglas extension table that fits right up against the throat and gives me a very large level surface on which to move my quilt. For anyone who enjoys push-through free motion work and is considering a mid-arm or long-arm machine just to get th additional space, you might want to think of a system like this. I posted a picture on my website (it's in the post dated 4/10/07) of my system, so if I haven;t explained it well here, check out the picture to get a sense of how much extra space this will give you!
Patsy Thompson
http://www.patsythompsondesigns.com

I had to sell mine when we went fulltime in our RV, but the HQ16 is a wonderful machine!

<a href="http://www.wanderingquilter.com">The Wandering Quilter's Life in a Box!</a>

HQ16 has their own email group http://groups.yahoo.com/group/HQ16/

Thanks, I went ahead and bought one, and played with the one in the store and LOVED using it. I think I will be very happy

I am selling my Pfaff Grand Quilter and looking at buying a HQ16. Does anyone have any comments about this machine, pro or con. I wasn't happy with the throat space of the Pfaff, I love my Pfaff 2144 embroidery machine . Thanks