Yes, take the class! When I purchased mine for my BD about 5 years ago in a local fabric store, there was a sign on the wall about a maintenance class and the clerk and some customers recommended I sign up for it. It turned out to be put on by Dave McCallum who it the author of "The Featherweight and I". This is one of the best books on this machine and we in this area of WA feel very lucky to have him here and teaching about the 221. I would recommend taking the class and then buying his book. It's very good to have to help you after the class.