I suggest joining the homequiltingsystems group at
http://groups.yahoo.com for information. I think any sewing machine can be used on this type of frame; however, the limiting factor is mostly the harp size -- that is, the distance from the needle to the "pillar" of the machine. A regular size sewing machine has a harp size of only 9 inches or so. A rule-of-thumb is that the take-up pole for the quilt will grow to at least 6 inches as a quilt is rolled up, leaving only a few inches available for quilting area. The folks on the Yahoo group can give you recommendations for sewing machines that will work.