The hand wheel does turn away from you. The bobbin is a little tricky to get out. I didn't get a manual, I wish I had. It has a buttonholer and some feet that I don't know what they are for. It cleaned up well. The cabinet was all apart from sitting in a basement. It sounds loud, but, I hadn't put grease on all the gears yet. I am having trouble getting 2 screws out. It also doesn't have a belt, it has a rubber wheel that is attached to the motor that goes up against the handwheel,that was a first for me. The chrome/shiny parts look great. I wish I knew how to post a pic.