I have a gammill classic purchased in '96. I quilt for others at least 3 days a week sometimes more. The stitch regulator was added about 6 or 7 years ago. I love it. I think I have more issues with tension than some, but I wouldn't give up my Gammill. It has been professionally cleaned and serviced twice for general maintainance. The only thing that it ever really needed was a new spring behind the tension. I know how to do that now, so I replaced it again recently when I was getting ready for a big project, just on general principle. Keep your gammill oiled per instructions and she will run indefinately. Mine is still going strong and I see no need to replace it for a long time. They were designed for commercial use.