Inexpensive (new) workhorse machine - recommendations?
 

I've discovered that my Pfaff Quilt Expression and Pfaff Quilt Ambition machines are not dequate for heavy-duty sewing. I'd like to purchase a machine (DH says to get a new one) that will sew heavy, thick projects (baby towels, sew through jeans seams, etc.). Do you have any recommendations?

Thanks!

I really love my vintage machine(s) for this sort of thing. I have a Remington, Morse is a similar brand. Solid metal, great straight stitch and goes as far as zig zag but can sew through anything, including upholstery and jeans.

If I was going new, I'd probably look at the Sparrow.
https://www.eversewn.com/sparrow-15

This is what I would recommend too. IMHO the newer machines do not hold up to heavier projects. Plastic parts just give out to quickly, that has been my experience. I have a half dozen metal part vintage machines that I use all the time and have not a single problem but it is the newer machines that are made with plastic parts and computer parts that wear out quickly and cost an arm and a leg to fix, it at all repairable. I have picked up all my vintage machines at garage sales and the most I paid was $15. Each and everyone a solid work horse.

The Juki TL 2010Q is a great machine but straight stitch only.

Bernina 930! Does anyone have this machine? Does the walking foot work?
 

Bernina 930 does anyone have this machine?

I have a Brother 1500 that fits this bill. It's mechanical not digital, solid, straight-stitch only, knee lift, auto threader, auto cutter, a workhorse. You can get one new for $700.

I like the Juki brand for heavy duty sewing.

I do think an old Kenmore with front-loading bobbin could do the job very well. Look for a serial number that starts with 158. They were mostly made by Jaguar. I can find them at the thrift store pretty often, but the price has gone from $15 to $35.

The Juki 2010 is pretty awesome and relatively inexpensive machine, that could do the job.

The Bernina 930 is a great vintage machine. It could do the job very well. But the walking foot doesn't work very well on mine. I wonder if I just need to adjust the presser foot tension? They tried the criss-cross feed dogs on the 930, and decided it didn't feed as well, so they made a "feed dog up-grade," with teeth. I have the up-grade, but it still doesn't do very well with the walking foot.

Another vote for the Juki TL series machines (2010, 2200). It's a straight stitch only solid workhorse machine that has sewn through layers of leather, webbing, upholstery fabrics, etc.. Very similar is the Brother 1500 mentioned by Peckish which is essentially the same machine as the Juki TL's - all have a few feature differences but any would do the job nicely.

I recommend the Janome HD9 V2. It is a little better than the comparable Juki. It goes over lumps, bumps and sews through more layers. Both are good machines.
Hd9 v2 Straight stitch only, can use industrial feet found at Wawak. The bobbin is about one and a half times larger than regular domestic machines, .This is the upgrade to the Janome 1600. I purchased this machine to sew denim, purses, totes, boat covers and leather.