Thank you for your reply, that was very helpful! I will ask about the Schmetz needles - not that it matters to me too much because that's my brand of choice but I don't see why timing would effect the needle brand? I see that they've been selling this "hybrid" machine - the Homesteader - since 2007? Is that right? The one that is basically a Singer 15 cut in half and "stretched" sort of, into a long arm? What appeals to me is that the arm is long and narrow like a Nolting and the Homesteader goes up to 20".
Hopefully some other people who have one will pipe up and show pictures and share experiences! Thank you!