this machine has been my go-to girl for about 10 years and she sews as well today as she did on day 1!! Keep her oiled and do your normal machine matience weekly and your girl will give you years of great sewing. I have done about a million quilts from start to finish and I love to FMQ....everything from baby size to King size without a frame....but that is just me!! Find a good sewing machine store and you can pick up metal bobbins for about a dollar apiece....just make sure they are made for the Brother machines. You found/got a GREAT DEAL on this workhorse of a machine. FWIW....I never sew petal to the metal, just a nice easy speed when I FMQ and have gotten great results...remember to drop the feed dogs!! Enjoy her....