sure you have probably replaced your dear friend by now -- know about those plastic gears -- good ones to stay away from
i always recommend the elna su 68 on my pattern review site -- the elna made during the 60s and 70s are little workhorses -- this was before the computerized elnas -- i have three and i just love them -- i see them every so often on ebay usually selling for around $400 -- well worth the money in my opinion -- the needle action is like a garage door going down -- it just keeps grinding down until it makes it through -- have used mine to repair leather purses, shoes and coats as well as for heavy canvases
and since the su 68 are gear driven -- taken down is a breeze for oiling and cleaning