if you work with small pieces of fabric (fq's, or less) a small one is fine, if you work with yardage, purchase the largest one to fit your cutting table and you can afford. remember, when a (woodworker) purchases tools they purchase the best quality, most expensive they can afford at the time. all are not created equal, the one i paid $60 for has held up for 6+ years, the one i picked up for $15 lasted about 3 months...