Originally Posted by BoJangles

Well the 403 is basically like the 503 so I can see why you like it better! The only problem is I love the shape of the 500, Rocketeer, series better than the 400 series! I also like the 319 and 306 because they don't have that weird slide plate where the feed dogs don't drop - you just raise the slide plate! That is one part of that 400/500 series I don't like! The 319 and 306, though have - also in my opinion - a weird slide plate that snapes off completely, but the feed dogs drop. The one problem with the 306 and 319 is the bobbin - so hard to get to! I have to remove my treadle belt everytime I have to change a bobbin on the 319 - I have to gotten use to that - but, at first what a pain in the you know what! I guess it is just what you get use to - they all have their little idiosyncrasies! Of course, the one thing bad about the 306,319,206 is that they take a special 206x13 needle, and special L bobbins, which most of us don't have because most every other machine uses a 15x1 needle and a class 66 or class 15 bobbin! Oh well, I still love both the 306 and 319 - what powerful machines!

Nancy