Potted motor 15-91 vs potted motor 201
 

I can pickup a 15-91 for $45(machine only) from a local dealer. I already have a 201. Do I need both? Does one outperform the other?

Is the potted motor the one with direct drive via a worm gear? That's the one I'm talking about...err both machines.

Hi! Potted is just that, a little potted motor hanging off of the back. It is belt driven and you can put it on a threadle if you would like or make it a hand crank with a little change. I have both. direct drive, not potted is generally more desirable if you want to keep it electric. If you already have a 201 there is not need for a 15-91 but $45 is really cheap. Maybe it needs to come home any ways.

People give them both great reviews. I say for 45 bucks buy it anyway too. I always thought the potted motor was the one that was inside the housing instead of hanging out, not belt driven, but after a long day I could be wrong.

Yes a potted motor is direct drive via a worm gear. It does not have a belt.

The have a different feel from each other. I love the ease of maintaining the 15s but the 201 has an easy to use drop in bobbin. In a sweat shop you would have more than one machine - one for each task. Why not use the 15 for free motion and the 201 for piecing. Or the other way around if it suits you.

That is what I do. I use my 15 for FMQ and my 201 for attaching bindings, piecing, etc. I love them both. In fact I have 3 of the 15's and 3 of the 201's.

My apologies. I mixed them up.
Here are pictures-
https://www.flickr.com/photos/brige66/5029822207

Both are great machines. Your 201 has a great reputation even outside vintage sewing circles and model 15s are known for their ability to do free motion quilting. I'd give the 15 an edge in that department. If set up in a table you can just reach under the model 15 to change bobbins. No need to disturb your work. That's the way I do it on my 15 clone in my avatar. It's far easier than fiddling with it thru the bobbin cover from the top.
If it's in good condition $45 is a great deal for any model 15.
I'd go with both like Miriam suggests.
Rodney

I have both machines (and many others....). The 15 is the best machine I have found for free motion and I leave it set up just for free motion quilting. I find the verticle bobbin does better when FMQ'ing than the drop in bobbin.
If $$ and space is not a problem, I would get the 15. That is a good price on it!

No apologies needed or expected, I usually can't remember anything so can completely understand a slight mix up!