I'm sorry I wasn't clear - I wasn't advising you to get the 5830c. I know nothing about that machine, but the newer Singers don't have a good reputation at all. In your situation I think I would look for a different vintage machine, such as a 15-91, or 66, or (if you can find it) a 301. These machines come up all the time on craigslist at really good prices, and you can usually try them out before purchasing, unlike the Goodwill machines. I believe the 128 is a 3/4 size machine, which means it has a smaller harp size, and I believe the 15-91 or 66 would be much easier to use and find bobbins and other parts for than the machines in the 27 series (27/127/28/128).