I have the HobbyQuilter by Nolting. It is now called the FunQuilter. It is a 17" throat. I have mine on the Hinterburg stretch frame (wood one that you don't want) I have no problems with mine. I don't have a stitch regulator on my machine, but I believe the FunQuilter comes with one. But the price might be out of your range. I don't know what a regulator would feel like using one so I don't miss it, but I am sure it would help out lots. I think my stitches are pretty even when I do a quilt freehand.
There is the Voyager17 machine also. When they first came out I was on a waiting list for one of them, but I got impatient and checked for a local dealer in the longarms. Local being 2 hours from me. That is how I ended up getting the HobbyQuilter. I read alot on here about people talking about the Bailey, but I am not familiar with that.
I really commend the women on here that can do their quilting on a home sewing machine. I don't think I could ever attempt to quilt a queen size quilt on one. (let alone a twin one!!) I only use my home sewing machine for the smaller things........potholders, placemats, tote bags..........things like that.
Good luck with whatever you choose. I am sure you will get lots of information from this board.
Barb