Nice to hear it's working out. I'm sure you will get along with the machine. The controller should have gradual speed. There's a condenser in there you might as well take out, at least if it's not already taken out or replaced by a new one. They are old now and tend to act up 50 years after the machine was new (...full speed all the time, machine running on its' own, blowing fuses,...). The controller is usually fine when it's removed. There's usually an adjustment screw in these old controllers too. I'm sure the service guys are all onto it :- )