I did not like how the needle went down an extra step before it would turn a corner. I could not predict where it stopped.

I so love my 306W... but I do have a newer Viking ( 20 years old) .. I love the 306 w .. its mounted in a cabinet , with a knee control . which I love. If I could get all the feet for the 306 W and the different types/sizes of needles , I would have no need for anything other than my 306 W. My Mom gave it to me years ago... and every once in awhile.. I think she would rather she never gave it up.

It takes any short shank feet. You can get them from Sew-classic. She has needles but limited size. Check with Mizkaki.

The precision those vintage machines have is so awesome...... love them. And the wonderful click, click, click sound they make..... it's music to my ears.

Since I got my 301 2 1/2 years ago, I have only sewn on my 403 when I tried it out. I really hated working with my Brother than I bought after my electronic Singer died for the third time. I felt bad about not using it, but I hated that everything was so much work - the bobbin had to be rest several times, the thread would break, etc.

My son moved into his own apartment recently and asked for a sewing machine. My DH hates how many 'useless' machines around - so he asked how many he wanted. My son said that he really didn't want an old one just a basic machine. So the Brother went home with him!! And it is the perfect machine for him - when he fixes his work pants or hems new pants or whatever.

When I stared sewing 45 years ago, I always wanted the latest, newest thing. I can remember when I bought my first electronic Singer, pushing aside my earlier mechanical Singer. Now I don't want anything that is younger than me!!!!

I only have one plastic wonder in my house, its a Husqvarna Viking Sapphire875. I used to have a Janome Jem gold 2, but sold it as I couldn't stand how noisy it was.
I mainly use it for quilting because it has a 10" throat space. Otherwise I use a vintage machine, the quilt I'm making now was all pieced on the Pfaff 60 treadle.
Sharon
Singer treadles:201,15-90,237,66(2),115. electric Singers:221(3),301. Singer 99k hand crank

My local sewing shop has 12, 14 and 16 (the latter is not available at sew-classic). All are Schmetz needles and quite cheap. Only one I really miss is a twin needle for the fancy stitches these babies are capable of.

There are more disks available for them than the 401, etc! Does the needle holder accept 2 needles?

I have one plastic machine, a Janome...all the fancy stuff...really don't like it and definitely like my old machines better.

I have old & new
 

I have a newer Janome 9000...it's 15 yrs old. I use my featherweight set up in it's table and for classes my Lotus SP...from the 70's. I have many other old machines and love looking at them and feel guilty that they don't get the sewing usage they should. I have a stretched 201 I use for quilting...it has a 17 inch neck space and it's on a table that's 12 foot long. I could have "bought" one of the new machines for quilting but I have a spare of the 201 if I ever need it!
So I'm sticking with what I have and happy to have them all. So glad I didn't jump on the new machine bus with all my other friends!!