My Brother PC-420 defaults to the left. When using my 1/4" piecing foot, I need the needle to be in the center. This has resulted in a few broken needles when I have turned the machine off for the day, and turned it back on the next day and forgot to reset the needle position. Now I am good about removing the foot from my machine when done for the day. Having to put the foot back on at the beginning of a new day reminds me to move the needle over.