After the death of my beloved Viking 6430, I purchased a new Singer (it sits in a box, I really hate that thing), then I purchased a 301a, which goes to guild and UFO's 5 times a month. It sews a consistently beautiful stitch and never complains about being overworked. It has not replaced my 6430, but it sure runs a close second. I have an aversion to plastic and my little pretty is metal and weighs in at about 14 lbs. and sports a handle for easy transport.