slimline clamping system

[Joanna W.]

I bought the slimline clamping system but the directions that came with it were worthless. There are two yellow pieces; one that fits to the clamp that goes on the machine and the other one fits on the upper lever that forms the window to clamp the fabric.

Questions:
The rubber grip on the clamp on the bottom window is not facing up when assembled. I don't see any other way I could assemble it though??? Could this be correct?

Also what there is another window that is all metal that I am not using. What is it for?

Any help?
Joanna

[integrity]

Joanna, the bottom plate is assembled upside-down; loosen the black thumb screw at the back and flip the bottom over the right way. Then put the top clamp with the gripper side down so they meet the fabric in the middle to get a good grip.

Enjoy them, they are great to work with.

[Theresa S.]

Hi, everyone...yippee skippee...I just installed my slim line...(unfortunately, even though I bought the largest window, the project I wanted it for is too large, oh well, next project). Question: My instructions say there will be a base window and 2 types of clamping windows...a heavy yellow one and a stainless steel one (for lighter weight fabrics)...However, I received the stainless upper window only. Is that correct? Has it changed since the instructions were written? I looked in the box carefully to no avail. thx

[Juli in Kona]

I got a slim line too and I got what you got. I think that stainless steel piece snaps one the yellow. I haven't used it ( the stainless) yet, But I have used the yellow one. Great for putting designs in a corner. I use it for can Koozies too.

Juli in Kona

[Theresa S.]

well, I put it together so the stainless piece snaps into the side of the arms that rise when the clamp is released. So, the fabric is clamped between the yellow window and the stainless piece, with the rubber "gaskets"(for lack of a better term) gripping the fabric to keep it in place. I'll bet that is very slick for using on the Koozies. I'm looking forward to trying it out tomorrow.

[v-embroidery]

I bought the 7 in 1 Fast Frames and have not used them yet as I am still learning how to configure the center of the hoop for each frame. Is the Slimline clamping better than the Fast Frames or are they equally good? Just curious.

[Juli in Kona]

Oh, I'd say the slim line is pretty wonderful. You just stick the material in there with the stabilizer and just close the clamp and you're ready to stitch. With the FFs you have to deal with glue or clamps all around. But the slim line is -- well, you have to be really careful. You absolutely cannot leave the clamp open. If it is open and you bring the thread bar closed (the bar that tucks the thread in) the bar will hit the frame and you can do some major damage. I ALWAYS take it off when I am finished with it. Even if I am going to use it in the morning, I still take it off and put it back on AFTER I have started up the machine. Bad things can happen if you don't.

But that being said, I love that thing. It is super easy to use. I use it on golf towels to put a design close to the corner. The clamp holds very tightly. It is a very good piece of equipment.

Juli in Kona

[signman]

If you look at the yellow and steel 'top' clamps flipped over, you'll see the difference. The yellow one is 'flat', the steel one curves down on all four sides. This helps to keep the material taunt and closer to the needle plate. Your kits should come with BOTH plates, although I have never had to use the yellow ones, there might come a time where something can't have the 'sides' pushing down on it.
And like everyone else said, never leave it 'open'!
When you shut down for the night, remove the whole assembly or at least the 'hoop's so you don't forget it's on there when you power up the next time.

[Theresa S.]

Juli - I wrote to Melco Tech support regarding our frames...I explained I had the large one..they told me we should have both the yellow (heavier) and the stainless top frame and advised I should call customer service. I emailed Customer service and cc'd Nick Reinking. He replied as follows: "I apologize that the instructions are misleading; the slim line windows only come with the painted yellow piece on the smaller sizes. The larger frames cannot support the heavier top frame and with the larger items there is not a need to have that extra weight on there. The two frames are all that you need to get that thing up and running. Let me know if you have any more questions on it,Nick". So, I guess we're good to go.

[Juli in Kona]

I have been simply clamping the material between the two yellow heavy frames (the top and bottom). Is this right? I haven't used the stainless steel one that has the curved down edges at all. My frame size is about 6 x 7 - maybe it is 5 X 6. I am doing mostly towels.

Think I am using this thing correctly?

If we have a machine on the cruise, I am going to bring my slim line and someone can do a demo! I sure wish we, as a group, could do some You Tube videos. It is so hard to verbalize this stuff and so easy to show.

Juli in Kona

[Theresa S.]

I think you're doing it right - you have the smaller sizes...I bought the largest one (for doing totes)...and for the large size(s) they only include the one top clamp. You're right about trying to describe it..but...improves our writing skills!

[Redina]

The slimline frames came with my machine 2 years ago and as everyone has already said, the instructions were useless. I even used the 6.5 X 5.5" frame wrong the first time with the 2 yellow frames (a top & a bottom)as they came, stuck together! The flange with holes that the upper arms fit into was stuck to the bottom of the mounted frame, so that when I used it, the black grippy sandpapery stuff was rubbed partially off by the arm cover. I requested another strip a couple of times but it has yet to arrive. The frame is still usable, just less grippy there. I am also missing the blue tape which was supposed to go on the arm cover to make it slicker for the frames to slide across but after mentioning it a few times, I just gave up on ever seeing it. Inspite of these setbacks, I love these frames and use them all the time. I also managed to damage the machine that first time. I bent the thread grabber bar by hitting the frame because I forgot to clamp it down after removing the garment. Needless to say, now I always clamp it down immediately after use and open just before use. It wasn't that bad, about $60 for a new thread grabber and left arm plus shipping. I was able to bend the right arm back into straight. But it was upsetting to have damaged my 1 month old machine!