Honest Opinion

[Kevin]

Hello everyone, getting ready to make a final decision on the purchase of a new Amaya XT, I have been monitoring the forum here for a while now reading about he different problems you all have been experienceing. My MAIN concern is this, I presently own a 2004 SWF 15 needle machine, and I have done several hundred hats on this machine over the last couple of years, 400 hats alone over thanksgiving and christmas , and I am being totally honest here not one single thread break, the hats I have been using are ottocap camoflauge constructed front low profile hats. These hats are really abrasive on needles, I was using a 75/11 standard needle and the designs went over the center seam several times.
What I am asking here is for sombody to tell me that sounds rare that I could do that many hats and not have any breaks, or sombody to tell me yea that`s no problem with an Amaya XT machine.
Listen, I am not tremendously experienced in Embroidery, I am just not afraid to try anything with this machine, my nieveness allowed me to jump right in after I bought the machine and started embroidering hats, after I did a few I started reading where people hated to do hats cause they were so difficutlt, I would say 80% of my business is embroidering hats and I want to make sure that this machine will do the job at least as good as my SWF does.
So chime in you guys and give me your honest opinions.
Thanks alot...Kevin

[signman]

I'm just curious as to why you would switch to a new machine if what you have is doing the job adequately and fast enough for you?

[Kevin]

Good question....When we first got into this business I wanted to purchase an Amaya but was unable to due to cost, so I ended up going with my second choice the SWF, and a used machine at that. So now that the business is growing I started looking back at the Amaya because of several reasons one being the smaller footprint of the machine, we are a home based business and space is not something that I want to give up to another big machine like the SWF.
Yes my machine does do the job "adequately and fast enough" but not fast as two machines would, and I have an order due in June that is another 400 hats plus jackets and polo shirts, so in order to keep alot of that work in-house I am going to purchase another machine. Hopefully that answers your question..?
Don`t get me wrong here though, I am not expecting the Amaya to never break a stitch, certainly I have had my share of them, but my swf is a good workhorse for me, and maybe its just my dumb luck that I happen to get a good used machine when I purchased it..? maybe maybe not...
Anyway give me your best opions, maybe sombody else has been in my shoes before..?
Thanks...Kevin

[oldkush]

Kevin

First ..... are you planning on replacing your SWF with an Amaya or will you keeping your SWF and adding an Amaya ?

There are a number of factors which can contribute to thread breaks but generally speaking, I think you can expect to have more thread breaks with the Amaya [others here may disagree]. This does not mean you should not purchase an Amaya .... it's simply the answer to your question.

Bob

[Kevin]

Bob I really appreciate your honest opinion, takeing into consideration that I have only been embroidering a couple of years now...I do not consider myself an expert my any stretch of the imagination, so is it just dumb luck that i would have that much luck with my machine doing hats..? Would I have that kind of luck with the Amaya had I purchased it first..?
That is why I am looking for I guess. No I am defiantely keeping my SWF because it is a safety blanket for me, I know I can get alot of the work done on it no matter what, and since the business is growing I want to run both of these machines at the same time in order to keep work in house verses sending it out and eating into my profit.
Thanks again...Kevin

[Image Embroidery]

Hi Kevin,

I don't think anyone can promise you that you NEVER have a thread break with any machine. But, I can honestly tell you that the XT kicks butt when it comes to running hats.
I have run 100's and 100's of hats and I rarely have issues. You must of course consider all factors...good quality product, a design digitzed for hats, proper hooping, just to name a few.
Good luck...you will hear both good and bad. I can only speak for myself.

LuAnn

[Just Sew It]

Kevin,, I had an SWF and a Melco EMT when I bought this business 4 years ago. Like you, I could do lots of hats on the SWF without a thread break. Good machine. The EMT was also a good machine. I sold the SWF and traded the EMT and got two Amayas. I got them for the versitility. I could do flats on both, hats on both, or something different on each one and just a simple file called up on Design Shop and transferred to OS.
I don't have enough business for two machines most of the time, but when I need to do a big order, I can. I would keep the SWF for now and be sure to take the training if you get the Amaya.
Good luck!
JO

[Kevin]

Thanks alot LuAnn, I have to say I did take a trip over the weekend to an Amaya users home and she graciously allowed me to run one of my stitch files that I brought with me that I had run on my machine.
The thread did break right off the bat, but she told me that since her machine was up on the second floor of her house she experiences alot of drying out of the thread, and has that happen sometimes so she runs a humidifier in the room to get some moister back in it. I have to admit my machine is in the basement of my home, maybe I just lucked out there as well...?
When her machine switched needles and started running the other two colors the thread did not break and she was even sewing over the previous thread and the center seam.
The final product looked good, I was just concerned about the thread break, could have been a worn needle too so I have to factor that in as well.
Thanks...Kevin

[Kevin]

Thanks JO, yes I am planning on keeping my security blanket for now (SWF) and next year at this time if I am confident in the Amaya then I will purchase another one and possibly sell the swf.
I am really glad to get opinions from other SWF owners that have been in my shoes.
Thats some good info.

Thanks alot...Kevin

[TinaK]

Kevin!

I was able to do hats from the get go with the Amaya with no problems. I love doing hats except for those pesky unstructured ones and that is probably because I haven't done enough of those types of hats yet but will someday get those down as well.

Good Luck!

[danielk]

Kevin before you jump into an xt i suggest you consider that i own 4 xt's and i was currently happy with them until i bought a 5th xt and the third day i owned it, it broke down. Ive been bugging melco for a week to come and fix it. The machine is more delicate than a swf. Ive heard those machines are pretty much indestructible. The amayas i find when they run they run great, when they misbehave they are horrible. Don't get me wrong i love my machines but they're expensive and have to be placed in a good environment. I had a static problem when i first bought the machines. It's hard to run them on carpet in the heat etc..
Thread breaks are minimal i find when the design is digitized well. But as far a a workhorse im not sure if its a good choice. I find them to be unpredictable. Alot of people will disagree but if your into sewing fast and doing allot of caps that machine is the cap master. I find it sews caps beautifully. Im not sure if the actifeed system is totally perfected i run alot on manual. Its But like i said its personal choice.

hope i was a help

Good luck

[pennyjune]

I love my amayas We just started in the commercial business and looked at everything. We love the amayas. Thread breaks are easy and it is usually I've picked the wrong stablizer or the wrong thread. Thread is key. I agree with everyone that the ARC thread from Amaya is very mid par. Great thread is Isocore, Mederia, but I also use cotton among other things. The machine is like a VW of old it just keeps going and the flexibility is grand.

[EEAmayaTech]

Hi Kevin, I'm a Embroider/Melco Technician in Michigan, and cap embroidery can be a sensative subject amongst embroiders. It is my humble opinion that Tajima was the cap leader, until recently. I have seen a "Tajima vs Amaya XT" cap competition. Each has their own advantages. But Amayas cost less, sew faster, Does AMAZING PUFFY, and Each part of a design can be Completely Customized "settings by color", but Amayas require more maintenance.
What impresses me with Melco is that they are ALWAYS striving for improvement.
And regarding Puffy, it took me quite a while to perfect, but I got that darn Amaya to Puffy that would knock your socks off. I'm talking SQUARE 3/8th of an inch Thick Puffy with Crisp 90 degree Edges! NO rounded edges and No "belly" in middle.

[Juli in Kona]

So, EE, are you going to share how you manage to do the puffy? It's not nice to tease us like that then not tell.

And EE, do you have a name?

Juli in Kona

[susan]

I'm also hoping you will share your puffy expertise!

Susan
Embroidery Station