I purchased one this past spring - a very artsy lady was selling the one that her husband converted. It is a basic mechanical machine and once converted can never be a "sewing" machine again. She said he had to go a long ways back into the machine to switch things out. When in JoAnns this past weekend noticed they have a new one - believe Simplicity brand - that was selling for $229. Was glad to see it there because they had replacement needles. I find that I don't use it much - Think you can do just as well with the Clover brand "hand" felting tools with a lot less of an investment in case you don't like. My local machine distributor says they sold the one they had on display and haven't had any requests for one.