The decals on mine are in good shape..all except the one on the bed and all the blackside finish and machine finish is very nice on mine. I would tell your hubby that the hand crank will make it quieter. I did notice mine scoots all over the table from vibration of the machine and possibly the knee control. It' s a nice conversation piece and I used it for a whole weekend, but I doubt I'll ever use it again. It sits on top of the antique piano in it's case now. It was the first shuttle machine I've ever used and I enjoyed it. But, I have so many other vintage machines that don't create that noise level;>