So i've been using this machine all week and it's so smooth it could sell ice to eskimos! I set it on 4.5 v and back the needle off so when the stroke is down the needle comes out the tip maybe 1.5-2mm. This machine has made the weeks shading a true pleasure and allows me to achieve smoothness i could only dream of when i used to use coils! I love the no frills look and approach of these machines! So many machines coming out with complicated moving parts and give systems. This is pure rotary action and i love it!