Congrats ForestHobbit. Your first fw is always special.
I read many people saying that age doesn't matter...to me it does. The early fw's didn't have numbers on the tension dial, makes it a little frustrating to change the tension when needed. Also the bobbin thread guide is on the outside of the lower base.. I learned all this *after* I bought a fw and didn't think age mattered. haha I do like the chrome on the hand-wheel tho. :)
FH - I saw the fw that worked and then didn't work. I'm thinking they got in there to clean it and then bobbin finger fell out of place. Simple fix.
p.s. I live in Half Moon Bay now. I moved here in '06 from the Cambrian area of San Jose (by Leigh High School)