There is a lot of info on the T & S on the Vintage forum. Do a search there. I learned to sew on my mom's featherweight and then she bought a T & S. I hated it except for the automatic bobbin winder.....love that!. Now that I've researched a bit, I know which particular models to watch for and which to avoid. If I can find one really cheap, I might try it again. An all metal one will obviously hold up better (models up to 620 I think). Also, the plastic button that you use in the bobbin area is broken on many of these machines. Once that happens, you can no longer wind the bobbin in place. Always make sure that button is there and will engage and disengage properly. Most people loved or hated theirs. It can be a very finicky machine and after the featherweight was just too frustrating for me. Love my old Singers that can sew through a tin can without missing a stitch!