I wish I had one of these machines. If I did, I would be out there trying to get some answers to your questions. I don't have any info for you, but like you said, maybe it's time to move on. I would be very concerned about clacking in any machine. When my Singer Golden Touch and Sew did that, it chewed up all the plastic gears inside that ran the little cams and would not do anything but straight stitch. I don't know what I was thinking, but I paid a pretty penny to get it back in running order and haven't used it since it was repaired in 2008. I really at least need to put some oil in it and let it know I still love her. She has a beautiful straight stitch. I've talked myself into doing it. lol BBL