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I am looking to get a good walking foot machine that is a true triple compound feed. So far the 1541 models are the ones that fit the bill and the Thor looks good at its price point but I am wanting to make sure I have long term quality. I would like to get a cylinder arm but financially it's not in the cards right now. I would prefer to stay in the 1500-1700 range if I have to in order to get a quality triple compound feed machine. I have been reading different posts and kind of using Wiz's tips as guidelines but with so many its just difficult when you can get the whole setup for a few hundred dollars less and it "seems" like the quality is the same but I was hoping for more insight from those who have had more experience with "knock-off" brands of the proven manufacturers.

First, thanks to everyone, particularly the older statespeople in the forum. I think I have read most every post on the website but rarely offer comments as others, more knowledgeable than me, provide answers far better than I ever could. I began, like many of us, hand-stiching items and playing around a bit. I find myself, like all those before me, wanting to buy a machine for as fun as hand-stiching is, hand-stiching bags is not the most fun that I have ever had. In my research, I cannot get a good feel for the answers to the following: How reliable exactly are these machines? I understand the need for preventive maintenance and how to take care of equipment in general, but are they that finicky once they are up and rolling? Essentially, I have 3 choices - 1) buy a new machine from Techsew, Toledo, or other sponsored place, 2) Buy a new machine from China and set it up myself (again I am a total newbie, this is not really an option in my mind for the first machine), or 3) buy used. My thought is to buy new from a sponsor as I think these machines are fairly reliable with proper maintenance and I need the phone support when I inevitably need it. However, I have recently discovered a few places around me that indicate that they could work on these type of machines (I am outside of Orlando Florida in Deland), lessening my initial reluctance. However it brings me back to my original questions - how much effort does a machine take to keep up and running? If I have to take the machine into the shop (hour away) every time something comes up, I am uncertain that I want to deal with the headache. However, if I can do much of the work myself (I sit in front of a computer for a living though I understand machines to a degree) the the calculus changes. TL/DR: I live in the middle of nowhere in terms of leather sewing machines. Would you be scared to have all of your support be reliant on a phone call? is my logic sound? Thanks! Next time I post it will have information not questions Ben