The 241 has some kind of limited stitch length arrangement. There is a little screw to stop it from turning to a longer stitch. I haven't experimented with the little screw. I have made smaller stitches but it doesn't go any bigger than about 8 to an inch. It's industrial - the factories wanted to keep the stitch lengths set and NOBODY touches it... It might make a good free motion machine since it is so big. I love the feel of that machine. It is just so gutsy. Yes the motor does sound like a power saw when it goes on. The machine itself is very quiet and smooth and fast - yet the clutch is set so it will go at a nice speed.