I am interested in purchasing a entry level serger. That is the only $ I have avail.for this. Cannot swing mid to top end for cost reasons. I have been looking at
Kenmore 16677 and Brother 1034D both are pretty close in cost and reviews are neck and neck. If it was you which would you purchase.

Now for the sewing machine ?
I have a Nelco 234F not sure of the age. Just brought it in for a major tune up. So it's working good.
However it is limited in stiches and button holer. Iwas thinking of getting a Kenmore 18221 . But the ? is am I taking a step backwards since my current one is pretty well made and not much plastic compared to todays new machines. Any input on both matters would be super..Certainly cannot afford a Viking or Bernina

I think I would consider what I was going to use the machine for. Are you planning to sew other things besides quilts? Can your current machine drop the feed dogs? Are you even going to do fmq or or you going to send out your quilts to be quilted? Also, what are you going to use the serger for? Many of the newer machines have an overcasting foot/stitch if you're not going to be doing alot of garmet making. Many of us on this board (including me) have sergers that sit in the corner collecting dust. At any rate I certainly wouldn't get rid of my old tried and true machine--keep it as a backup because like you said the newer ones are not as sturdy!

I agree I have a new serger that is five years old and I mean new it has been used maybe three times since I bought it I had one before I started quilting and I wore it out making pillows and baby blankets but got involved in quilting thought I needed another but never use it. what a waste of money maybe you should use that money and add it to your sewing machine money

go to overstock.com. reconditioned machines come with a warranty and are a fraction of a new price.

I got a Kenmore serger about 1985. I still have it. It still works great. Have never had it serviced. My spare sewing machine is a Kenmore that is more than 30 years old. I do have it tuned up regularly, but I love it.

so if you were to get a new sewing machine and you were to buy a Kenmore of what is available today what model would you chose?
The Nelco I have has a real bad button holer so I need a machine that is a upgrade to that and also being able to do a overedge stitch would be a plus that way I would not need a serger. Need advice here.