slimline installation

[Debbie Rinehart]

I just put my new slimline clamps on and got a bit befuddled while reading their instructions. They had me loosen the 4 mounting bracket screws so the clamp base will move freely in the mounting bracket. They never said to tighten them back down when everything was installed. Won't this cause some misallignment of the design. ALSO, they said install the peel and stick UHMW (never said what that stands for) wear strip tape (not provided as told), on the top of the sewing arm. The tape will run from the rear edge of the throat plate back. No tape; no diagram showing WHAT throat plate and WHAT sewing arm. Instructions say the clamp will be sitting on the sewing arm. Won't that cause a problem if metal touches metal as the clamp moves? And, the clamp window has 3 parts to each size selected; 1 bright yellow is the lower window that is secured to the base with a black knob, then there are one yellow in addition to one stainless steel upper windows, which attaches to the clamping arm. They never tell you which one you use. I am totally confused. The directions leave a LOT to be desired if you ask me. They tell you to do several things that are not possible (like push the black knob that holds the lower window stright down to locate the clamp base on top of the UHMW wear strip and set the proper height for support by the sewing arm. Well, it actually screws on and I don't get the rest of the babble about a wear strip and proper height...) I know this is kind of long, but so is my confusion...I'm afraid to turn the machine on and try this out for fear it may catch on something and break it. THANKS FOR ANY AND ALL HELP!! Debbie
Debbie Rinehart
Deb'z-N-Stitches
Martinsville, In.
765-342-7392

[levelbest]

Debbie:

Who did you buy this from? Sounds a lot more complicated than my slimline frame that I bought from Melco.

[Just Sew It]

Debbie, You need the vinyl strip to put on the arm. It keeps the Slim-line frame from rubbing.
Take your yellow base bracket and screw the black knob in a little. Take the upper yellow bracket, push it under the black knob and into the side holders and tighten the black knob. The stainless steel pieces are for certain kinds of material but I have never used mine and forget what the web site said.
Tell them to send you the strips or maybe you can improvise if you have something thin enough but I wouldn't.

[Debbie Rinehart]

Jo and John,
I bought it from Melco as did you, John. But, they forgot the vinyl strip that attaches to the sewing arm and the instructions are a real joke. One other concern I have are the 4 mounting bracket screws. The instructions, which by the way had no pictures to show you what parts are what, have you loosen the 4 screws but never say to tighten then. The clamp base really moves around a lot, which makes me a bit concerned about thread breaks, etc... One last thing and I will quit obsessing...Do I need to load the size of the window into the OS so I can bring it up on the computer screen with the design I'm stitching. Thanks soooo much!! By the way, Jo, where in Colorado is Delta? My daughter owns a Housing Helpers Corporation in Boulder. She lives in Arvada. THANKS AGAIN TO BOTH OF YOU!! Debbie

[Rod or Sharon]

Debbie,
You loosen the 4 screws so that you can adjust the height of the hoop and bracket to the sewing arm AND then yes you do retighten them after making the adjustment. Do not sew with them loose.

Also, be very careful with the lever that you pull down to close the clamp down on the material. if you leave this lever in the up position and do a Trace, it can catch on the back side of the needle case and push it off!! Be very careful while you are operating with this clamping system. They are great and work very well for some things--left chest on Carhartt jackets, is one......

When you select the Slimline hoop, a warning popup will appear on the computer screen warning you that damage can result if the clamping system is not used properly.....

Rod Springer
Melco Amaya Tech & Trainer

[signman]

Deb, I hope you got someone on the phone to walk you through the installation...if you do anything wrong, it can be a very expensive mistake. Sounds like you had the frames packed up by a brain dead zombie...not enough instructions, and no slider strip.
I'd be happy to talk you through it if you can call me during the day!
As for the three pieces-the bottom frame goes on the bracket, and Rod told us when he was here to use the stainless steel top piece, not the yellow one-and it did make a difference! Not sure why, maybe it is holding the material further down in the frame and closer to the needle plate. Whatever, it does work great.
The four screws (hex wrench head) are used to 'level' the frame to your needleplate/arm...and have to be tightened (and checked once in awhile) so there is no movement at all.
When we got ours, a tech told us the hoop profiles were already in Design shop and Amaya. Just had to go into the window and 'add a hoop' and browse to find them-they were right there.
But the actual sewing area is smaller by 1/4" than the window will show with the 'gray' line-if you go right to the max. line area-the frame will hit on the needle plate and pull the material and needle over.
Call me if you can't figure it out!

[Mr. Sew & Sew]

I've been following this thread for a while. Does anybody know if these Slimline clamps are the same as the ICTS clamping system. They look alike from what I can see. I was at the ISS in Atlantic City this weekend and I asked at the Melco booth and two people said they didn't know the ICTS system so they couldn't answer me.

thanks

[signman]

Okay, I'll probably be corrected if I am mistaken...but I was told by someone in Melco that both systems are manufactured by the same company...Melco resisted having anything to do with a clamp system for several years (probably testing it?) and then suddenly it was available through melco. Yet nothing shows up in the website for Melcomart EXCEPT a picture of one on one page! Couldn't find any info about it at all. In checking the manf. web, there are now 3 sizes of 'base unit' and each one has up to 6 different size 'windows' for each one. There were only 2 bases and a couple windows for each when we bought ours.
I can tell you, if you buy a system NOT from Melco and it causes damage (needle head, for example), Melco will not handle any warranty claims....best to buy it direct from Melco (and hopefully get the right instructions for assembly!)

[SilverStar]

EMS/Hooptech makes both systems. You can see the difference at their website. http://www.hooptechproducts.com/

[Image Embroidery]

When I decided to purchase the ICTCS it was because I was told that the slimline works best for lighter weight items. (i.e. totes, etc.)
I am a Carhartt dealer and I do ALOT of jackets. So, I contacted another embroiderer that pretty much only does Carhartts and he highly recommended the ICTCS.
I bought the set and they are worth 10 ten times what I paid for them.
Just my opinion.
LuAnn

[Aaron]

The ICTCS and the slimline clamping systems are both made by hooptech. The ICTCS is a taller version of the slimline which will not hit the back of the needle case (as easily at least, not sure I only have ICTCS) I bought mine before the slimline came out so I have the ICTCS system in both 1 and 2. There are 3 different sizes of the ICTCS. The smaller one is for hat backs, sides, small items with the largest hoop being 4x4 I think. I later purchased #2 which is a little larger and I use the 6x6 all the rime for bags and carhartt jackets. They also have a #3 which is even larget but not quite large enough for full back jackets. This one would be for large specialty items I would assume.

I use both of my ICTCS almost daily and they are awesome and I would assume the slimline is every bit as nice. I think the one downfall of the slimline is that it is not as heavy as the ICTCS but at the same time there is much less risk of hitting your needle case and ripping it right off the machine which can be very expensive.

[Debbie Rinehart]

THANK YOU...THANK YOU...THANK YOU to everyone who helped with the installation of my new slimline clamp system. The computer bag I put a logo on worked GREAT!! But, when I did a thinner tote bag, I think I had the window too high cuz I could see the fabric move up and down with the needle and I had a lot of white bobbin thread on the edge of the letters. So, I guess I'll have to adjust it each time I use it, depending on the item. Boy, it sure was a learning experience!! THANKS AGAIN!! Debbie in Indiana