I have a current one. I am actually selling it to a friend as a good beginner machine. It doesn't have the ability to drop feed dogs which defeats the whole purpose of which I bought it for. Otherwise it would be a fantastic machine.

If you're using it for FMQ, you don't need the feed dogs to drop. Just set your stitch length to 0.
http://www.daystyledesigns.com/doiha...myfeeddogs.htm

ETA: some people even just remove them altogether if -all- they're going to do is FMQ / frame quilting.

Re: Juki Domestics, the TL98Q is considered by some to be a semi-industrial, but I've been inside, it looks pretty good to me. I've been sewing on it only a few hours in the last week and a half, but no hiccups yet that I didn't introduce myself. I'd give it 2.5 thumbs up. :)

I have the TL98Q & it is my go to machine. Whenever my TOL machine gives me some "trouble" my Juki always comes thru. It is the best straight stitch machine that I have ever owned & I LOVE it. Dependable, sturdy & can sew thru several (approx. 10) layers of denim without a hiccup. My personal "best buy" item, IMHO.

I have had two Juki TL98 QE (no table extension) one didn't last long, needed a new motor and some other issues. Second one I have used mostly for FMQ for the last 5 yrs. makes a beautiful stitch. Never been in the shop. I would buy another in a heart beat.

Well I bought it and got it couriered from interstate - luckily it was a successful mission!
It's not the most beautiful sounding machine, but the stitching is very precise and it's satisfying to use. Good ol' Juki :D

Of course my first question will be if it sounds different, have you oiled -everything-? The TL98Q here does sound "different" than most of my other machines, but I expect that to be because it's running so much faster and it's on a frame, not a solid table.