manicmike

If I were forced to buy a new machine (and modern, not an Indian Singer 15 or Chinese flying man) it would be a Bernina. No other choices, as the Janomes, Brothers and Singers of today are all rubbish from China made to self destruct two minutes after the warranty expires.
There are 600 and 700 series too, from the '60s and they are also excellent. Anything ending with 30 (e.g. 630) will be the top of the range and have the largest number of built-in stitches.

SewExtremeSeams

My Bernina 830 Record has been with me since the day I bought it new. I love doing FMQing on it. It is so dependable.

SeworDye

nylon gears??? or plastic?

GreyQ

I like your handle, Sewordye. I'm borrowing a 830 record to finish a FMQ project my Elna QD can't handle. Even with some issues, I'm going to have a hard time giving this machine up. I'm going to be on the lookout for one to use just for FMQ, as well as a good FMQ Singer like a 15-91 or 301. I really like this Bernina 830 even though it can't reverse, can't loosen the hand wheel and yesterday it started sewing by itself but I got that fixed. Good luck with your search.

Macybaby

GreyQ, I've got a 15-91 and a 301 I need to rehome - and I'll be heading that way mid June too - if interested give me a PM.

My husband loves his 830, and if the electronics on my Viking 990 ever go out, that is the machine I'd use.