Hello from Minnesota. I'm about the same age as you and have two Singers, a 328 I got from my parents when I was in high school and just got a new one, a 1732 that's got a self-threader, serger attachment and is supposed to handle rather thick work. I guess I should say "we just got" since DH is the only one of us that's used it so far. He said it worked fine sewing through several thicknesses of heavy pack strapping. It's price was pretty cheap too.