I have an HQ16 and love it. I've had it a little over a year and am amazed at how good it is with different threads. The only oiling is in the bobbin case, 1 drop every bobbin or two. And the HQ people are really super.
If you're looking for the 16inch machine, you can get some really good deals right now on lovingly used ones since some people are selling them to get HQ's 18 or 24" machines. I wouldn't be at all afraid of a used HQ. They're built like tanks.
--Heidi
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