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this is absolutely where i take all my friends when they ask me for recommendations... many machines are traded in because the owners want newer, more complex machines...not because they are worn out... others are sold because mom/grandma/aunt susie passed away and no one wants her old machine.... you will be able to get a better machine with more capabilities if you buy used. they will let you sew on them in the repair shops... here are just a couple of things to look for.

Pick up the machine, then pick up 2 or 3 others...you WANT metal inside your machine and the weight is one of the simplest ways to see if there is ANY in there or not. This is the biggest problem (for me.... just for me, my opinion) in the inexpensive machine in chain stores. They weigh almost nothing because they're all plastic inside.

Don't be fooled by testing ONLY the denim scraps, you need to see those, but also ask for 2 layers of more normal weights fabrics ...everything sews denim well.... sew straight across the entire scrap for at least 6" and then check both sides for tension quality...the dots in between the stitches should be the same size on both sides.

How does it sound? is it running smoothly, loud is not preferable... but also not as important as 'smoothly'... does it stop and start immediately when testing? if you put the needle down inside the fabric with the wheel, the motor should start and stop right away. How do ALL the cords and connections look? nothing should be loose (that 'non starting problem' could be a loose wire), or frayed. ask him to replace if you like the machine.

How does the belt look? is it one of the new 'plastic-looking' polyester belts... they are usually amber colored and will simply never wear out. It is also a sign about what the repairman did for the machine before putting it up for sale. If they aren't even replacing an old belt, they probably didn't do much else.

Now, what comes with it? extra bobbins (i consider a dozen a necessity, the round ones can be used as spools so there is no waste), zipper foot, hemming foot and normal sewing foot are essential and I would buy them if i found that i loved the way the machine looked and sounded and sewed but not much came with it. However, if all those things are true and they did include the basics, super, you may have found yourself a repairman to keep. if this is all true, give the person their due, ask for a few extra cards to give to your friends for maintenance. and ask his opinion... how often should you have basic maintenance done? if you like his work and his prices are good, trust his opinion and spread the word...you will want him to stay in business. Also, ask (and buy) for his recommendation of a good machine oil to use and ask how often he suggests cleaning and oiling. It is much more often than a lot of us do this simple chore. Also ask his opinion on canned air...most will steer you away, but ask and then ask how to use it if he suggests it for amateurs. (the repairpeople use it when they have the machines open, but that is a different thing.

Now how about extras? are you into piping? they have a piping foot that makes it a breeze. does the machine have a 1/4" foot? this makes piecing a joy. is there a an extra light bulb? ask the repairman how to take it out and replace it...there are 3 main types and sometimes they are hard to figure out. Now buy that light bulb...the old one will burn out at midnight when you're really in the mood to sew. The end of the extra bulb will help you remember what type you have in the machine, so you can get it out. And lastly, what kind of books come with it? I consider this an important thing to have but would not be a deal-breaker for me because almost all models of machines, new and old, are online now and many are free for the downloading, some have a small charge.

sewing on the machines is the most important thing and if they won't let you....you need to be somewhere else... good luck... think heavy, think needs (yours, not the machine's) and sew before you buy.....