Longarm Frame Bumps, Dips, Dragging - "the longarm is fighting me"!
๐ ๐ผ๐ฑ๐๐น๐ฎ๐ฟ ๐๐ฟ๐ฎ๐บ๐ฒ ๐ง๐ฟ๐ฎ๐ฐ๐ธ ๐ฆ๐บ๐ผ๐ผ๐๐ต๐ป๐ฒ๐๐ (๐ผ๐ฟ ๐น๐ฎ๐ฐ๐ธ ๐๐ต๐ฒ๐ฟ๐ฒ๐ผ๐ณ)
If you are having (or think you are having) Frame Issues in a multi-section frame (Janome, Baby Lock, Handi Quilter, etc) s - bumps, humps, dips, etc. causing stitching issues or your machine to not move smoothly (the machine is fighting me...) they are likely at or near the joints. These issues can be caused by incorrect assembly, misalignment of components, movement/settling of floor, material thickness variations or combination of some or all.
I have measured these issues on Babylock, Janome, and Handi Quilter (Frames come from the same source) and have resolved several.
After normal levelness checks the first thing to verify with commonly available tools is the flatness of the track top over the joint. Easiest way I have found to is take a straightedge - spirit level, carpenters square, rigid yardstick, lay it in line with the track over the joint and try to rock it - if there is no rocking move on to the other joints. If there is rocking place a flashlight behind the straightedge on one side of the joint - push the straightedge flat with the track on the other side of the joint, and see how much "space - equaling non-flatness" there is - the photos below show examples.
I will be posting more info on this topic - I have spent hundreds of hours and more $ than I want to remember identifying the problem(s) and corrective action(s).
If you want lots of detailed info, PM me with your email and I will load you up with several procedures to identify the issue along with mitigation techniques.
Quilt on!
Do you have questions on this topic or a suggestion for another one you are interested in?