A little update. I found the threading diagrams not easy to follow. There are two Youtube videos I found helpful. One by Lacey in the FB group and Nutts have a demo.  I immediately found my mistakes from these. However I don't think I have mastered the mysterious above needle plate - there seems to be a twist to do but it is all obscured. Maybe this is typical of some of the new generation of coverlock machines.

The needle threader works well but it appears a bit stiff at the moment, requires a big press to get it to descend. Looks as if it is working well. Chains on and off. I'm not yet certain how you clear the stitch fingers if you want to.

My largest knit double fold binder fits on the outer holes. The position is quite snug and close to the foot edge but there is enough room to train strips under the foot with tweezers.  However I wouldn't say I have got it in the correct position yet or which needle position is easiest to use it with on narrow coverstitch.

Yes that will be interesting. First job to try that out.

I have been wondering about keeping the BLCS set up with a binder. At the moment she is back in her original packing for some dream time.

This could be a useful information thread. Please don't post enquiries about my sweetheart here. PM is better. She won't like to be talked about in public.

All I will say it is certainly a large and solid machine - no moving around the table with this one.

Funki Fabrics are brilliant for a huge range of quality lycras. They also have fabulous quality Meryl.

Wondering myself about changing to a 630 or a 710. The local shop hasn’t got them in to demo yet although they would if I asked. So be great to hear from anyone who has seen them.

Well thanks all for the variety of opinion. Still uncertain.
It seems useless to give a baby quilt to a new mum if it won't wash doesn't it? Cruel to give it to them and for them to think they've ruined it....

Next question is have I done enough quilting? Its 5" squares stitched in the ditch with serpentine lines running the whole length of the quilt - they are approx 1.5" apart- 3 per width of square. The Hobbs poly/cotton batting says quilting up to 3.5" apart. A bit more advice please.

  All I can say I'm pleased I am no where near your dealer. Hobkirks who are nearish don't have the newer models in thankfully. I think I'm better off getting my god daughter's cot quilt made. Its just.....machine naughtiness.