writerwomen, ny Necchi is a pre 1950 model. I haven't used it for anything except piecing. If I had heavy duty sewing to do, I think I'd pull the Admiral out of it's hiding place. It has a Japanese motor that seems stronger than the Necchi's.
The 301 has a 1/4" seam guide screwed on, so it does piecing and the Necchi does HSTs and such. It's working out well. The guide will come off when it's time for FMQ. That is the 301's specialty in my house.