sounds like you've checked off the first thing on your list--trying out machines at a show so you know whether you like moving the machine vs. moving the quilt. What else to know? 1) do you have the space for a frame? they need walk around space to be functional without moving the frame(which would take locking casters--very handy). 2) can you afford this machine ? I was told by a Gammill rep (while working on my machine) 2 yrs ago that it's getting harder to make a living/pay off machines by quilting for others because of DSM with rulers, sit down machines, and mid-arm machines---I would agree with this statement. But you've indicated you would use it for your own quilts and friends--so sounds like you've checked this off too. What else? My Gammill bought used is a 28" harp on a 14' frame. The length of the harp is really not comfortable for me to quilt custom (which is mostly what I do) so I could have used a smaller harp easily. Also, while I sometimes get client quilts that the 14' frame is handy, those are few and far between--so a 12' frame would have been fine. I got a steal on the price of the set-up, all her rulers, all her thread, parts, needles, 100 bobbins, 4 bobbin cases, all her design books, etc. I definitely recommend a stitch regulator and I'd check to see if the machine is capable of accepting a robotic guided system (whether Innova, Butler, etc) in case you'd ever want to add that at a later date. I love long arm quilting and don't regret spending what I consider big bucks for it--but then I used money I inherited so didn't have to borrow,which I'm not sure I would have done.