My mom had a Cast Metal (heavy) sewing machine which we had to use at home when we took home Ec. I think it was a kenmore & it was in a cabinet. Mom was good (wanted everything perfect) to the point it wore on her nerves and she didn't enjoy sewing. She & I tried to work on her machine, I thing to adjust the tension. Took it apart put it together, you know how you end up with extra parts. Really, LOL. My sister uses it for a tall side table in her sewing room for a lamp. It never worked again, Duh, big surprise, huh? Now the first one that I bought is a Kenmore which I still have & use. Also have a Janome too like them both.