slimline clamping system or hoopmaster

[smeggy345o]

I have finally narrowed down my search to 2 items, but I am having a really hard time deciding which one be my purchase. Since they are so expensive and I am just starting up I want to choose which will be best for me …..
I hate hooping!
I mostly do sweatshirts, tee shirts and sometimes jackets. What would you get if you could only get one?
I was thinking that the clamping system would be easier than a normal hoop to line up since it is rectangular. The hoopmaster would be great for lining things up, but the downside would be that you would have to fool with a hoop. If you have a slimline clamping system, how hard is it to clamp things into it?

I really liked the idea of the Magna hoop, but they don’t make one for the Amaya 

[Redina]

I received the slimline clamping system with my machine and have used it for 2 years. Once I got everything working right (tension, backing, the usual stuff) I find I use them alot! For bags, sleeves, baby blankets, basically small, flat areas. It is very easy to use, the only disadvantage is the grippy strips on the inside surface, it can snag delicate knits if you are not careful.
I have an all-in-one Hooper for the tubular hoops which have their own advantages. With them, if something happens requiring you to remove the garment to fix (birdnest, bobbin issues) you can pop it out and then replace in the arms with no problem. When using the slimlines, it is a much bigger problem to remove the entire apparatus then re-install. You cannot take out just the garment and get it back in the same place to resume work. And I am still having a problem with them rubbing on the arm cover, though a minor annoyance. As for the hooper, I bought mine for half what had been paid for it from a shop which had "outgrown" it. The employees found they could hoop faster without it and always got the left chest design in the right place. I am not that skilled and use it for almost all shirts. It gets the design in the correct place AND in the same spot for each shirt plus being straight and level. Are there any downsides? Having to reposition the hoop guides for each size shirt, and it is large, but it fits on the cart under the machine so it stays out of the way and takes up no room in my tiny shop.
Hope this helps.

[signman]

You can't use the slimline clamping system on sweatshirts, teeshirts, or jackets except for just a name or small logo on the chest pocket area...there is no 'space' for the hoods, backs, excess material to go when you clamp it.
I bought the slimline first-and it is on our machine half the time. Tried it for polos-big order, small logo...about the 30th shirt suddenly realized that every single one was crooked...my lineup was off.
Ruined a couple hundred dollar order...but for knit beanies, fleece blankets, back of hats...it's the greatest thing since sliced bread. After the polo disaster, I bought the All in One hooper...and haven't ruined a shirt since. Bolted it down to a little rolling 'microwave' stand so supplies are stored underneath it. Got tons of free artwork (digitized) with it as a 'package'.
Also talked with Sal, the owner of the ocmpany..and he says anyone from the Amaya group here-will get 10% price by saying so!
We are not a high production shop-the Amaya sometimes will sit for weeks doing nothing...but the clamp system and hooper have already paid for themselves in saved time and less rejects.
Next thing from Santa-more sizes for the clamp system!