BKrenning

Machines made specifically for quilting don't have feed dogs. In the 9" straight-stitch only machines which are "semi-industrial", I know the Janome 1600p did not "drop" the feed dogs--it came with a cover plate.

I lusted after a mid-arm for 3 years before I stumbled across a deal on ebay. I was a complete nerd about it also and had the spread sheet and all my pros & cons of each model. My Voyager is NOT the machine I lusted after but I couldn't pass up the chance and I don't regret it.

ABM Innova was a new player in the hobby/home quilter market when I bought my setup but folks were raving about it. ABM made commercial quilting machines before dipping in the hobby quilter market.

Is Babylock still selling the Crown Jewel? There was also a Crystal Quilter but I can't remember who was selling it.

I just notice Nolting's FunQuilter isn't on your list. That has been an extremely popular beginner level mid-arm for a long, long time. It was one that I was really lusting after. The 19" Indigo is also missing.

There were 2 yahoo all-makes machine quilting groups that I lurked on for years. I think that's where I got my first spread sheet and just added to it as new machines were added to it.

I just remembered the B-Line 18 for the Canadian's among us. http://www.tobequilting.com I think it is still being made although I have heard through their yahoo group that the wife of the maker has been very ill. They started out with very nice wood quilting frames--a table top model and a free-standing one. I bought & learned on the free standing one when I made my first foray into quilting my own tops. Jorst later branched out and stretched a Janome (I think) into the B-Line 18 and made a special hopping foot that the Voyager owners were going crazy over.