Yes, I learned years ago that it's not the weight of the iron that gets the job done well, it's the heat. (I think the myth that it's the weight of the iron that's important to good pressing is the reason so many quilters have or are suffering from carpal tunnel syndrome.) Irons have to get HOT to press well. I have a Rowenta that I got as a Christmas gift a couple of years ago and it is a great iron, but it's heavy. Give me a Black & Decker iron any day of the week. They get super hot, are light weight and are very reasonably priced.

I am on my 3rd Rowenta. I think I finally found a good one. It has 1600 Watts with an auto turn off. The other 2 lasted a couple of years and were awful. Costs too much to send them in for service.

I have a Rowenta powerglide sew n press. I love it. I bought my first one in 1997 ($40 at Jo-Anns) and had it for 10 years, but it broke when it fell off the ironing board or table or something. (bummer). That was in 2007. Then in shopping for a new iron I saw that they all had the auto shut off, which I hate, especially when sewing, pressing, sewing pressing, etc. I like the iron to stay on and be hot when I go back to it.

So, I found my same Rowenta sew n press on ebay, it was brand new , never used. I think I paid either $30 or $40, Yay! I was very happy to find it. It irons great and it does not have the auto shut off! I am very careful with where I place it so I don't break this one. It is an old model and probably would not be able to replace it again.

This iron is only used for my quilting, and no one else in the house uses it. I have another iron for clothes ironing.

The main feature I would look for is to not have auto shut off. My first iron when i got married was $10 and it lasted 13 years. Back then they did not have auto shut off.

I have purchased two Rowentas from Nancy's Notions and neither proved satisfactory. THe spray mechanism on both failed early. One gets hot; one doesn't. SO I use my spray bottle. It always works as I expect it to.

Rowenta is now made in China not in Germany as the older ones were. The company was sold several years ago. the best iron made for home use is the Reliable brand if you want steam. I found the no steam iron and it is fantastic. No worry about leaks ever! LOL It is available at several places online and under $30.

http://www.vermontcountrystore.com/s...Dry_Iron/42277

I ordered mine here: http://www.always-free-shipping.com/...-dry-iron.html

If you are lucky you may find one at Home Depot left over from when they use to have this iron in stock.

My Rowenta was getting fussy and finally quit. It really didn't last as long as the predecessor (Black & Decker) so I figured I might as well purchase a more moderatly priced replacement. Went with a Sunbeam - steam, stainless sole plate - $28.

I have posted my preferences before. Not Rowenta, for all the usual reasons about their new Irons quality. I have gone over to a Gravity Feed Iron by "Naomoto" Model Number HYS-58. It has a water bottle that hangs above the height of the ironing surface and maintains a constant supply of water to the iron. They are used in the Dry cleaning business and tailoring trades. It is the last iron I have bought and after 3 years of almost constant use for 4-8 hrs a day, it is still going strong. The only drawback is that it is anchored to the place above the ironing board, and is not portable. I have a couple of cheap portable irons, and a steam generator Iron that can be moved, if that sort of need arises. The gravity feed irons are not cheap, but are the industry standard for longevity, and are owner serviceable, with very few moving parts. I don't know how I did without one for all these years.
John

I use a T-Fal lots of steam and they last for a long time udually found at Penny's around 40.00 dollars

I prefer cheap irons. I have a Rowenta and I don't lke it.

Sometimes I get so annoyed that the cotton setting on the new irons is not hot enough to get the pressing done quickly. OK, I remember that the old irons could scorch easily but I would rather be piecing than standing there pressing forever.