Pamela,
Stick with it! You will be well rewarded. the 12's are such a pleasure to sew with once set up. remember these were some of the first "machines" to be brought into the home, the idea of "plug and sew" was a LONG way off.. hehe
I'd always love to see potentially new sources for older bits. What I'D personally like to see is new 12 Shuttles being reproduced....