great white

My missus is talking about buying a Serger/thread overlocker.

I've got a general disdain for anything new in sewing machines, but don't know a lot about Sergers. But the ones I can find used all seem to be around mid 80's. Hardly the same quality as my 50's-late 60's sewing machines.

I know a guy who has a Singer 14u64a he's willing to let go at what seems a very good price when compared to the general used market for Sergers. An 80's model from what I can gather. It will be a long distance private purchase, so I have to take his word on condition.

Absolutely no price comparison at all when comparing to the price of a new one.

Basically, skip the ex-large pizza, salad and drinks for Friday night take out and we can pay for it.

As far as servicing, timing and repairs go I have no problems getting in there. As long as I can get parts as needed that is. Even then, I can usually build/repair parts that aren't available any more.

I would appreciate any opinions or advice anyone can offer on these models like: hard to find needles? they work like crap? Problems or wear common to the model? What it can and can't due because it's older? Best machine I ever owned? works great? I can't do "x" with it? etc...

I've already figured out it doesn't have "differential feed" like the newer models. Not sure if that matters or not because I have no idea what it means or is for.

I'm thinking it will mainly end up being used for edge binding on tablecloths, blankets, drapes, fleece dog coats, etc. We don't make clothes for ourselves.

We do repair our clothes though. Not sure if would be any good for that. At least, more so than our current straight stitch machines.

Any opinions or comparisons to similar Singer machines would probably also be helpful. IE: Singer 14u34, etc.