I usually turn my iron off when peicing only because my ironing set up is in the basement and my sewing set up is upstairs. It is one way I get a little exercise. I do as much as possible on each trip up or down. I recently purchased that iron you see on Fons and Porter that pops up and down. It has it's moments as I don't have to set it upright everytime I stop ironing. The problem I have with it probably has something to do with my "mpspeedy" persona. It doesn't return to the down position fast enough to suit me. I am also disappointed in it's steam action. It doesn't work real well. Perhaps it is just my particular iron. I had a Bernina iron for more than 15 years. I had to replace it when it began leaking like a sieve.