The 185 is HEAVY, aluminum or not. I have used it many times, though I've not used it in probably 6 months. I have at least 15 other vintage machines and go to other machines instead. Because of the weight and small bed area, it's not the most transportable machine and I usually grab on of my 301's. For quilting, the 99 and 185 aren't my favorites because of the tiny bed area. It is basically the same machine as the 99. Comparable in all aspects, just the body type and paint color. Yes, it makes a nice stitch and the cuteness factor is high. But, because of it's limitations for actual usefulness, truth be told, it would probably be one of the first of my vintage machines out the door if I had to sell one.