The Babylock BL097 Serger/overlocker

So, I was standing in the checkout line in Value Village holding up this heavy little Babylock serger, an item that I know absolutely nothing about. Well not  quite, I did know 2 things. First thing I knew is that these little suckers are expensive machines. The second thing I know is that the price tag says say $24.99. Knowing stuff is not always a good thing, sometimes it can lead to conclusions being drawn. Conclusions as in : I can get this thing going, no problem,.... I think.
So, like I said, I'm just waiting there in line, and the lady behind me says to her husband, '' If that was me, I would just take that machine to the sewing machine store and say Helpppp!"  I looked  at her, and asked"Really?" She said "yes, those are real, real hard machines to use! You have to take a course for them".  I told her  "I was just going to find the manual online and get it going". She gave me a pitying look and shook her head sadly, at my foolishness....At which point the line moved on and we parted company.
So, I went home, found the manual, downloaded and read it. I threaded it up as per instructions in the book, shoved some fabric under the presser and hit the pedal. About one and a half seconds later, it spit the fabric perfectly sewn out the other side of the machine.
I've seen this before. Complicated looking things intimidating people, when all they have to do is read the instructions.I've seen it on sewing machines and I've seen it on half a million dollar production machines. I've seen those same machines sit and never get used. I always wonder why?

The Lada 232

For those of old enough or unfortunate enough to have first hand experience with one, the word Lada, (as in the Russian import from the 1970's), is enough to cause a shudder to run through our very souls. Well it turns out that there is a company in Czechoslovakia called Lada that makes quite good sewing machines and has been doing so for decades now.
This one came home with me yesterday, from Value Village, simply because I had no idea what it was. It turned out to be a vintage Lada 232 zigzag. and it appears to be quite a good sewing machine, but we shall see, once I try it out. I quite like it so far, it's built like tank  and has labels on all oiling holes. It look looks like serious heavy duty sewing machine.
Since it only cost $15 and a weighs well over 30 Lbs, I'd say it's a lada machine for the money!