This machine likes Stretch needles, usually a 14. Re thread your machine and your bobbins if you aren't using prewound bobbins. That thread mess is bad tension usually, if there aren't any pieces in the path, and you generally can fix it. Needle breaking sounds like you have the needles in wrong, remember they go in sideways on this machine, not face forward. Get out your manual. Remember Lefty-loosy, Righty-tighty and you can play with the bobbin tension, no problem.