Skittl: Thanks for the information re CT and the IMachine link. I was going to jump into the deep end of the pool and buy several of the white and the black. I will be more cautious.
GaGa: Glad you found an alternative that worked for you. I think the big differance between my experience and others is I only use them to bury the thread, no real sewing.
This is why I love this board and the people on it, you share one little item and the response triples your information. Thank you all.