The 1" does seem to make a noticeable difference. The 6440 may be worth checking out but this seller doesn't sew so he may not be reliable in stating it runs wonderfully. It may need a service and if parts are needed now or in the future, they could be hard to find. This machine is nearing the end of its life-cycle unless extremely well-cared for. You may just need to check it out to know if its worth it to you.