sorry wrongly posted a wrong topic title

Juki:TL98QE (Sewing Machine)

Approx price paid: $699
Had this machine for: 2 weeks
Recommended? Yes
Features

* Needle Up/Down Setting
* Adjustable Presser Foot Pressure

What I likes about this machine
This is a very basic sewing machine. It does straight stitch only. You can only adjust the stitch length. This is a machine that is made for quilters. It has a very simple lever to drop the feed dogs, a knee lift and a huge throat area. The only sewing machine I know of that has a bigger throat area for home use is the Janome brand. This machine is not heavy, but is made with a very sturdy aluminum frame. It is incredibly easy to clean. There is a door that can be removed on the bottom of the machine and I was able to swish my vacuum cleaner attachment across it to instantly remove all the lint. Free motion quilting is great. Drop the feed dogs, attach the foot and away you go. The stitches looked great top AND bottom, most important! The lighting is good, the knee lift is awesome and the ease of use is very nice. Threading was not a problem. I was glad that the machine uses regular needles because I considered the Janome that uses DB needles, (comparably priced) but did not want the hassle of trying to find replacement needles, since I don't live in a metropolitan area. This machine MOVES. It is lightening fast and the pressure foot is adjustable. It has a needle up/down and reverse. The bobbin is a metal one and is very quiet. Oiling the machine looks like it will be very easy.

What I does not like about this machine
I never had a machine with the metal bobbin case that has to be loaded sideways into the machine. I always had a drop in bobbin, so this was a learning curve for me. It is not really easy to get out the bobbin case if you don't have nicely manicured fingernails (not me, by any means). If you have nicely manicured fingernails, you won't after you try to get the bobbin case out. I don't consider this a deal breaker (just a fingernail breaker) but if you are used to machines with the metal bobbin case, this won't be a problem for you. The feet are a bit of a challenge to get on and off. Not sure why, they just seem to have a snug fit. It is not as hard to get the feet on as it is to get them off. They seem to stick like glue to the post. No major deal breaker for me on that, either. I will say the walking foot had me upset. There was grease on it that was depositing grease marks all over my quilt. Once I figured out where the grease was coming from, I used a Q Tip with alcohol on it to clean it. No more problems. Then I had a glass of wine myself to "clean" my nerves after seeing that I was going to have to replace a quilt block. Overall, the problems were not significant to me when I can stuff so much quilt through the throat of this machine and the stitch results look so great!