I've used this machine for my guild meetings for a couple of years now. I like the machine, the main fault I find is that I've never been able to center the needle when it's turned on. The needle position defaults to the left position and I break needles all the time, every time I turn it off it immediately defaults to the left. Since I use multiple machines I have a hard time remembering to center the needle on this machine. I guess I could buy a zigzag needle plate but I use it mainly for piecing and I don't like to piece with a zigzag plate. I'm sure breaking needles isn't good for the machine but this machine is sturdy. I keep it in my car year round, caught my foot in the cord and pulled it off a table onto a chair & before I could catch it, it tumbled to the floor. Picked it up and started sewing without a hitch. Takes a lot of hard use and keeps on sewing.