I have the Hobby Quilter (now called the Fun Quilter) by Nolting. It has a 17" throat. I have it on the Hinterburg frame. I purchased them separately. And I did purchase the rails for my frame. And they do come apart. Mine has been moved from one room to another. I can not imagine the shipping that would be done on these if they were put together.
I like my machine. Of course, I haven't tried any of the other ones. When I got it, I had to go with one that was in my price range. I tried it before I bought it also. And I did get a free learning class after I purchased it.
I don't quilt for other people. My daughter makes alot of quilts as gifts and she uses it from time to time. I do make quilts as gifts also and since I bought it, I find myself making more for myself. I did send them away at first, but my problem.............the wait to get them back. Now I just do it at my leisure, but I can get it done so much faster. And when in a time crunch to make something...........it is so available!!!
My grandson used it when I first got it. I was practicing on it with sandwiched muslin and I let him glide the machine around and make designs. He was about 5 at the time. He had to stand on a stool, but he enjoyed it. So see, it is so easy to use a 5 yr old can do it!!
I love having mine and now don't know what I would do without it.
Barb