I started out 20 years plus ago with an original cast iron stuffer. I then tried a water powered stuffer for a couple of years. I finally decided to go for it, and buy the 11 pound stuffer. We do quite a bit of summer sausage with Deer meat. The last batch was 75 pounds. I wish I would have bought this 20 years ago. so far, everything is excellent. It is money well spent.