My 1st quilting machine was the 9" Viking MegaQuilter. It stitched like a dream and never gave me issues with tension. I used all sorts of thread on it too. The only reason why I changed was I wanted a larger throat. I did start robotics using this machine though.....a PCQ, bumped up to the retrofitted PCQ/MQR, then finally what I have now, an Innova 26" but still using the upgraded MQR robotics. Hopefully you will have as much luck as I did with mine.