I always research before I buy too. When I was getting ready to buy my embroidery machine I saw the Brothers in WalMart much cheaper than the older model Brother I wanted to buy. At the same time DH was looking for a small riding lawn mower. John Deere is popular here and are sold all over, but like the Brother machines, the prices, and the warranty vary. We found out that many of the internal components in inexpensive machines aren't replaceable, and are made with cheaper materials. Even though they carry the name they are sold as 'throw aways' and don't last as long as the higher end machines. I have read so many complaints about the WalMart Brother machines and my older, but higher end model works great. So I would ask questions and research any prodeuct you buy. $300 may not be a lot of money to some, but it is if it only lasts a few months!!! Rosa

Pirate Girl is correct! Singer machines made before the 70s are well made and not made in China out of plastic. That is why so many people collect the older machines and still use them. I have my mom's 15-91 model from 1950, my 237 model from 1969, and a Featherweight from 1947 and use them all. Check the classified ads and Craig's List in your area. Ask any senior citizens if they have or know someone who has an older Singer sewing machine that they are not using anymore. Also, check thrift stores, consignment shops, Salvation Army, Goodwill and the like.

What weights of leather and vinyl are you planning to sew? My commercial walking foot is a Consew. Easy for me to maintain. I did pay to have it downgeared by 25% as I had no need for the max speed. I paid $500 about 15 years ago and it was 2-3 years old. I could sell it today for more than what I paid. Try to locate the person who could service the machine you buy. I was in the DC-NYC corridor area and was able to find a person who regularly made "house calls" to various businesses servicing thier sewing machines. My machine is a floor model and not what you would want to heft into a van for servicing. In my current area, I have been unable to locate anyone who provides in the home or business service. On the other hand, there may be a machine out there that is a portable model that you could clamp onto a base table. It would probably be Chinese made, for, despite what so many believe, really have been the leaders in compact sewing machines. When we lived in China, I wanted to bring one of their sergers home, as it was simplicity and efficiency superb, unlike any of my non-Chinese made sergers. Am not familiar with your mentioned brands. Please do look for a walking foot machine. I have a 1938 Singer 31-15 (non-walking foot), that is wonderful for standard leathers, but not polished or glazed. Vinyl is a challenge. Take pieces of your materials with you as you check out machines. Try to locate folks in your area who have the machines and get their feed back. Good luck.

I had one that was pretty close to that model. I gave it to a friend of mine. It's a nice sturdy machine, but very heavy to take to classes. My main gripes with it were that sometimes the tension got a little wacky and I couldn't find a 1/4 foot for it. But when the tension was worked out--it sewed nicely. The buttonhole attachments are really hard to get used to, but once you do, you won't find a machine that makes a nicer buttonhole for you. I also liked the manuel--very well designed. If you're not afraid of playing with tension, don't mind lugging a heavy machine around and don't have to have a 1/4 foot--you may be pretty happy with that machine.