I bought a White 4-spool serger in 1986. It is a workhorse. I did a lot of garment and home dec sewing on it...even 6-hr. quilts. Lately I have had trouble threading the lower looper. (Don't know if it was the machine or just me) While at the shop I saw a basic Janome serger -- not a "self threader" but easier to thread -- and it also does the rolled hem without having to change the plate like my older one. It, too, is a 4-spool. I love it.