I have 3, my old Kenmore that is almost 30 now, a White serger and a Husqvarna #1+ that I bought used a couple of years ago. If I had unlimited cash I would probably go shop for a new one, but I am pretty attached to the Husqvarna. The Kenmore has a larger throat but is so old I can't get a walking foot for it and the feed dogs don't lower so it really isn't much good for anything but piecing. It doesn't have warnings for empty bobbin, auto tension or variable speed so I have no idea why it is still taking up space...oh yeah, so I have a backup:)
I had the same problem with the top thread bunching up on the Husqvarna and after cleaning, new needle etc it still wouldn't work. $60 later I was told that it needed cleaning and he just took 4 little screws off the front of the bobbin area. I can do that!! NOT :( I can take them off but am screwdriver challenged. Now I get my husband to put it back together while I walk the dog. When he is not home I get soo frustrated. Why does it have to be that difficult to clean, are all machines that difficult??