If you can swing it, you can get a Bailey. It's a very basic machine but is known to be a workhorse. You can use it on a frame or set it up on a table.
http://www.baileyssewingcenter.com/test.html
There is a yahoo group devoted to them. People sell their 13" & 15" when they are ready to get their 17" machine. You might be able to find one at a good discount used ;)