I have the Brother 1500 and don't use it on a frame and it is a great machine. I use the John Flynn frame with the machine sitting on a table. I've had two problems with the machine, both user fault but no solution was in the manual. Don't thread the thread in all three holes at the top, just use one, I use the first one, and don't thread the bobbin thread through the cutter blade, it gets there on it's own. Oil the machine often. Be sure the bobbin winder is completely pushed back when done, or the machine won't sew or sew crazy.