I will most likely be shopping for a new machine soon as my brother is in the shop and I am not holding my breath for a cheap fix. My question is about new machines. I looked at Berninas at a quilt shop and after I picked my jaw up off the floor (after seeing the prices) I asked about the parts and if they were all metal. She assured me they were and showed me inside of one. Which machines use metal parts? Which ones use nylon parts? What about Juki or Janome - they seem to be a bit cheaper....LOL. My finances are a few years away from the LA that I want, but want to invest my money wisely into a good machine with the largest throat size I can buy. I look at the descriptions online and can't find the answers I am looking for.

I would buy the best used machine in the brand you want. Buying new is very expensive and there are many great trade ins out there. Check out your dealer and try out some of the not so new models. You don't say what your budget is but there are some Vikings with a larger throat size. I'm not too experienced with other brands.

I love the Janome 7700 all metal

Janome is noted for using as much metal in their machines as possible. I think the bobbin cases are about all that is hard plastic. Their reliability is well documented and I would definitely recommend them. Also accessories are a lot cheaper than other brands.

I have a Juki and love it. It is just a straight stitch machine but what a workhorse.

I absolutely agree with this advice. I have had two Viking machines, each new, in about 30 yrs. Even the oldest one is still going like a champ. It's on long term loan to daughter, when I use it I still love it. The gently used ones are so much easier on the budget and have many of the same features.

Do the Vikings have metal parts as well?

I think bernina is the only all metal, most other brands have plastic parts, you need to go higher end in the other brands for more metal parts, the more expensive it is , the more metal parts it should have. Bernina's are very expensive, you should be able to find some nice janomes, brothers, babylocks, or pfaffs in the 1000-1200 range, which are well built and will last you and won't nearly cost you as much as a bernina. You just have to shop around. I have the babylock espire which cost me 1800 almost 2 years ago. haven't had any problems with it. It is a little work horse, I know the janome 6600 go for about 1400 people seem to love those. Whatever you buy just make sure its what you really want it is a big investment that will last you many years. Some of the straight stitch machines are heavy duty and cheaper if you don't do applique they might be more suited to your needs like the brother PQ1500s or the janome 1600P I think it is. These are about 800-900 I believe, and are more heavy duty than cheaper models. Just avoid the lower end models for heavy duty. Although don't discount them for piecing. I have used my cheapo brother for piecing for many years as well as classes, but I know their purpose is not heavy duty. I even quilted my first quilt on my cheapo brother purchased in 93, my MIL sewed on it last week.

I agree with the advice, find the brand and then pick the machine. Not only concider the brand, but the person that is selling it. What kind of customer service are you going to get? Will they hold your hand and be there for you. I have been a Bernina user for 25 years, but bought a Brother for my daughter and the deciding factor for both was the customer care that I recieved. That is just as important as any other feature.

I have both of these machines - the Janome 1600P and the Brother PQ1500. They have 9" harps and are both wonderful workhorses. I bought the Janome from a private seller for $400, and my DH bought the Brother with a New Joy frame from a private seller for $400. They're $800 brand new. I agree with other posters who advise you to buy gently used. Look around, check with your LQS's to see if they know someone who wants to sell or upgrade.