It seems that parts for Singer machines are easily available. For a non electric machine, I would suggest a Singer 66 or 115 treadle. Both are easy to work on and both sew great. I also have a Singer 201 hand crank that is a great machine. For electric my fav is a Singer 15-91. You can lower the feed dogs on the 15-91 and I think on the 201 also. The 66 and 115 do not lower feed dogs.