Amazon has a screaming deal on the Brother 1500 for $599 right now. Just sayin', lol.

I don't know anything about the Viking machine, but I've had my Brother 1500 for about 5 months now. I LOVE it! I love the big harp space and that it sews right through thick stuff without any problems. I was a little concerned when I ordered it that I would have a hard time controlling the speed since it doesn't have a speed selector, but it has not been an issue at all. I can sew one stitch at a time with ease if I need. I rarely sew at top speed though as it's WAY too fast for me!

Hi, I have a Viking 6440, 38 years old, my mother's old machine (and a very good Viking tech in the Milwaukee area who has kept it running well for me). There are aftermarket parts for it if cams (I think Viking calls them stitch formers) cracked. I recommend having it tuned using stitch former A, which manages straight stitch and zig zag. I would unload my electronic Viking 1 before I'd get rid of this one. You do need to be committed to investing some $$ every couple of years for tuneup, and use regularly. Lubricants otherwise freeze.

Another thought on 6440: it has a heavy duty low gear. It will sew thru leather. Another reason I will not part with it. It is not fancy by today's standards, but a work horse. The tuneup my guy just did was $75. It was refurbished about 15 years ago for about $300. Well worth it.

I had a Viking 6440 that I got for free and I had it rebuilt by a Viking tech who loves the older machines. It did have a cracked internal cam and was really stuck inside. It cost about $250 to have it like new, but sews like a dream now. I passed the 6440 on to my SIL who needed a tough machine to make dog collars. I found another Viking, a 6020 that went to the same tech for rebuild too. The 6020 is a keeper designated fo my hubby who sews his own gear for his black powder shooting hobby (pre-1840 clothing and gear). I have also pieced on it. The 6000-series are a workhorse with the low gear, but do to be run at least monthly because of the self lubricating bearings. So I would say the vintage Viking would be a great choice if you are prepared to have it gone over by a tech as the cam either has cracked or WILL crack. I couldn't tackle that job by myself but a was fortunate to find a long-time Viking tech about an hour away. Some techs might not know how to work on them or be able to find the parts (there is a good aftermarket cam replacement). A different SIL has a 6440 too and the shop she went to said hers was unrepairable. My brother got the part and did it himself. Hope that helps your selection process!