Any ideas for a two machine shop setup?

[ruester]

OK, so we pulled the trigger on two XT's with #9 pro+, flex+, all dem hoops & a few extras, one set of 5k yard - 66 spools and one set of 1k yard - 288 spools to start us off.
No extra bedroom available so a part (1/2) of the garage (11'X9') will be sub-walled, sub-floored, dust free and heated so that she does not give me a frying pan facial.
Any suggestions, beware of's, ideas, and/or photos would be emmensly appreciated. I will sleep with a catcher's mask on until this is done.

Thanks,
Don

[Rod or Sharon]

Hi Don,
I strongly suggest checking into a hooping station such as HoopMaster. You can view it at HoopMaster.com and watch little video clips of how to use it. Makes life so much easier for placement.

Secondly, you are from Nevada so you will have dry, hot air. You may need to purchase a small humidifier. Lots of grief can be created from dry thread.

If room, get a small table that can fold up so you have room to hoop, trim, fold, etc.

BE sure you take training--either at Melco or have a trainer come to you. Save yourself many headaches and really learn how to oil and lube the machine. Maintenance is absolutely imperative with these machines---don't wait for the timers to come up because they are created to think all needles sew the same amount of stitches and we know they don't. So keep the needlebars that are used most often oiled a bit more frequently.

It is late so that is about all I can think of off the top of my head. Do remember there is a learning curve with these machines and don't get discouraged. It does take time and lots of practice.

In our very early days of embroidery someone told us "you just have to pay your dues" and it kind of ticked us off. However, we have since learned that there was a lot of truth to that statement. You will have great days and days you close the door and walk away for awhile---don't get discouraged. There is a lot of help on this board and glean all you can from training.

Sharon & Rod Springer
Techs and Trainers
Star, ID

[ruester]

Sharon & Rod,

Barbara & I are pleased that you are the first reply to our first post. You are among the knowlegable group that has been very helpful. The video you & Herb did is da bomb.
I have spent 45+ hours reading these posts & doing the follow-up research prior to the purchase.

From that I have learned, as you said, maintenance is key. Run it dry...say good-bye. So-o-o...
Prior to the first start-up we will want a service call to make sure all is well & lubed properly. Any techs close to Reno?

If the thread is not in a sealed package & is left out for some time, will the humidifier correct the problem?

We have a folding table, thank gawd. I am still wondering how much space should be dedicated for spools, table, work bench, 2 machines, and cabinet for tools, bobbins, oil, etc. Garment storage is elsewhere.

Comes with All-in-all One Hooper w/ leveler Pro. Should we still look at HoopMaster?

Learning curve & paying dues... We have a fresh supply of reality pills to help us. I hope they work.

Humility = Saying grace before eating Crow.

Your feedback has and will always be welcome.

P.S. Signman said he had links to wholesale prices. Did he pass those along?

Regards, Don

[Steve]

Since you have the all-in-one hooper, you wont need a second one running two machines. If you have 3 or 4 machines and have two people running them at all times, you may need an additional hooper then. There is a training facility in LA with more info on Melco's website at Melco University.

[signman]

Quick hint...a 2'x 3' piece of peghook wallboard on 3/4" spacers with 4" peghooks will hold several hundred rolls of thread-and you can put them in order to match your color chart-makes it easy to find the right spool when the customer is going by the chart. Fits both small and large spools, but have to put the hooks apart an extra hole for the large ones. Buy spares of your basic 6 threads (red, black, white, blue, green, gold) or whatever you find you use a lot. Get the 'mesh' covers and use them-if you have forced hot air heat, or 'modine' overhead heat-it will unwind your threads when you aren't there.
Cut a slot in the bottom of each spool 'foot' and hook the loose end in there to keep them from unwinding.
Roland
what wholesale links do you want?

[ruester]

Roland,

Julie had a post on 10/05/09 about wholesale pricing that you responded to with excellent information and "I have links to prices that 'commercial embroidery' shops with large number of 'heads' and what they charge...don't give away your time!"

Demz da links,I guess.

Do I need a 9 x 11' room, or can I go smaller with the pegboard idea?

[signman]

Atlas Embroidery is one of the commercial ones I get an email flyer from every month...I'll see if I have one and send it to your direct email if you give it to me-can't post attachments here.
I have 1 XT and it is in half our office- 9' x 10, with a counter around 2 walls for computer, small fridge, parts, etc. and spools are on the wall, All in ONe hooper is on a rolling cabinet..and we don't have enough room. Get a couple cases of goods to sew and you can't walk around. You want at least double that for space-you need room to lay out goods as you hoop them, place to set them for trimming, folding, and where are you going to put the cases of goods and backstock? I have 4 rolling steel 'restaurant' racks out in the shop, 6' high-filled with back stock for shirts, polos, jackets, totes, you name it. We screenprint also, so we always have to have something in stock for small orders. Not unusual to get in 4-6 huge cases from Sanmar at once...that limits floor space!

[ruester]

Roland,
I have storage elsewhere but it looks like I will use more space than intended. I really appreciate your input.

Email is [email protected]

Don