Fisher price

[cmack]

Does anyone else feel their AMAYA's are the fisher price of embroidery machines?

Especially when sewing hats. Every hat I do looks horrible, compared to say a Tajima.
It has a smaller sewing field.
I have had customers actually laugh at the sizes I have had to sew their designs at.
If I make it the same size as the sample it pops the hoop off the hat frame.

[Rod or Sharon]

There are many of us on this group who run very successful embroidery businesses with our Amayas, Amaya XTs and Amaya XTSs which includes sewing hundreds of caps---very successfully. I would put our caps up against any Tajima sewn cap. I am not saying a Tajima is not a good machine because they certainly are, I am just saying our Amayas are every bit as good. In fact, I know of some techs who work on both and they would not trade their Amayas. If you are having troubles with caps, you need to revisit hooping, stabilizers, digitizing, etc. Have you had any "good" training on your machine? If you want to see beautifully sewn caps on our Amayas, you need to see Herb Acree's display wall in his shop! It isn't the machine.
Sharon

[levelbest]

Wow - harsh. Why not trade in your machine if you aren't happy with it? Life is too short. I'm not sure how posting that an amaya is like a fisher price helps you one bit. The machine certainly is no toy nor have I ever come close to even considering it as one.

Personally, once I learned to do hats, I haven't had any issues - mine sew fine and look great. I'm not a huge fan of the WACF and much prefer the CCF, but that's just me.

My machines work great and I wouldn't trade them for anything. They are serviced regularly as they should be and I and my wife both attended training. The rest we learned from this group and great people like Rod, Sharon, Ed and Herb who spend their down time, helping folks like you and me learn how to do what we do better.

Yes, before I ran the site, I was just a guy who was trying to make the jump from a single needle brother to a commercial embroidery machine - and it was a HUGE and PAINFUL transition... but we got thru it and are very sucessful now with our 3 Big Reds.

[drose700]

I too, love my XTS and it sews caps beautifully. When I purchased my machine I also saw a demo on a Tajima. The XTS out performed the Tajima in regard to caps. The Tajima had a bit of a problem on a ladies cap because of the lower profile. I've never had an issue with my XTS. I would put it up against a Tajima any day of the week.

[Posh LittleThings]

First time I've ever heard that the AMaya XT is a toy. It is a fantastic machine.

[Steve]

There are many reasons why caps do not come out well. I have always disliked the Melco cap system and bought a hoop-tech cap system since I never get requests for sides of caps. I have never had issues!

[Pro Image]

If you are having problems of the cap coming off the frame due to trying to have a certain height there are a couple of reasons and if you are comparing to a logo stitched on a different style hat, your hat may be constructed with a lower profile that may be the problem,particular with constructed (structured) caps as you go higher the arm of the machine will hit the top of the cap causing it to push off.
I too had that problem and I must say that I was able to solve it to some degree by purchasing the new XTS type of hoop and gauge. The newer hoops hold considerably better and are a lot less prone to come off the frame even when I push the limits.If you decide to go that way you will need the new gauge as well as the hoops. The old hoops work on the new gauge, but the new hoops will not work on the old gauge- sorry. With the new hoops adjusted properly it is extremely difficult to pull the cap off the frame (Try to pull it off with you hand and compare to the old style of XT hoop) which will give you an opportunity to sew taller designs. I know that you might not want to spend additional money but you might want to see them in action first but in my experience they have been well worth the investment.

[gcannon]

There is a sharp learning curve on these machines, especially for a beginner/novice. I had a lot of "issues" with the WACF, So I bought 8 of the CCF's, because all I do on caps are the fronts, and sometimes names on the backs. I agree that the cap frame system that comes with these machines are not that great. I love the flexibility that the Amaya's offer- I really do like them. Been running them for over 2 years now, and I wouldn't want to have to go back to the others for anything. Get yourself one Conventional Cap Frame & try it- you will probably be happier- like me.

[Greenwing]

Perhaps it is because I have never used another cap system,
But I truly have no Idea what the problem with the wide angle frame is.
I do 100's of caps and I have never had one push off.
I am able to get ver low to the bill if needed and the wide field has saved many rehoopings.

The only thing I can think of that I do differently is I welded up a framing station that the gauge mounts one and with a foot pedal I am able to pull the cap tight on the gauge prior to banding.

The only complaint I do have is the need to put a slip cover on the bills to prevent friction damage to the bill from the back of the needle case. But it has become second nature.
I have thought about the CCF frame due to all the comments it being so much better but disided that I had no need hooping for me is very quick and sewing is flawless.

Happy in the minority I guess

[Pro Image]

I purchased some self adhesive velcro and I put the loop (softer piece)on the back of the machine's needle case and that helps.

[Rod or Sharon]

Mark has touched on the "new" WACF frame and guage.

The difference between the old and the new is that the old style was a "hooping" stlye frame and the new is a "clamping" style of frame. The "new" has smaller sharper teeth on the band and frame and bites into the seam material, clamping them together. The "old" kind of pinched the band and cap material between the band and the frame body, for lack of a better description. It is kind of hard to explain, but it is a definite improvement in the design with the "new" frames.

As far as the "old" style frames, if folks have watched the video, on this site, that Herb Acree and my wife Sharon made to help folks with cap hooping problems, AND they followed his instruction "precisely", they would eliminate 99% of the difficulty with the WACF style of cap frame.

Rod Springer
Amaya Tech & Trainer

[gcannon]

Mark,
I have just been using 2 inch wide painters tape on the bill of my caps- you gave me an idea that I hadn't thought of- thanks for that. And, still, I can't stand the WACF- guess it comes down to personal preference (note that I haven't seen the new ones you are talking about Rod).

[levelbest]

We use masking tape on designs where it's tight to the brim [img]smile.gif[/img]

[gcannon]

Thank you, John- from the webmaster himself!

[Jenny]

We've been doing caps on our Amaya XT since 2006 and have never had a problem with any design or hooping. I know I have read many posts from people that have a problem but so far we have been very successful with our caps.

Jenny
Westbrook Wonders