Originally Posted by Miz Johnny

If this gives you any idea, two of the nicknames are "Touch and Swear" and "Touch and Throw". I know someone will jump in and tell how they LOVE theirs, but the machines are at the far side of their lifecycles. With the exception of the 600 and 603, the machines all have plastic gears, most of which have crumbled by now. They cost more to fix than they're worth, and many repair people won't bother.

The 600 and 603 both have metal gears. I have had one of each, and they worked great. The only thing to worry about on them (as far as I know) is the in-place bobbin winder. Sometimes they need work.