Reliable Barracuda Portable Zig Zag Heavy-Duty Sewing Machine for Medium to Heavyweight Fabrics, White, 200ZW

Reasonable machine with a few significant deficiencies. Terrible, nearly worthless, frustrating instructions for setting up, threading and operating the machine. None of the controls are properly labeled. Stitch-length adjuster, which is also the zig-zag control, should be calibrated to give some indication of length and repeatable consistency. And the electrical cord is much too short - it barely reaches the floor.

Clunky machine but works well. Only had for a short time, will see how it is once really broken in.

Everything I expected! Still learning so it's hard to judge, most of the time I'm the fault!

This machine is perfect for my needs. Leatherwork, canvasses, tarps, no problem. The Barracuda, in my opinion, might be a little too powerful. It works like a mini tank on steroids. You will not need a separate motor for this machine. I recommend getting the giant Monkey Wheel. 800 RPMs is a bit fast for this machine due to the tight workspaces that I do. I need to have constant control of my work. The optional carrying case and sewing machine combination are extremely heavy for portability purposes. I'm very hard on sewing machines. Time and usage will tell the quality of this machine. I am unable to compare it with any other portable heavy-duty machines as the Barracuda is my first industrial sewing machine. Downside: heavy, noisy, requires constant lubrication (maybe due to break-in period?), and the manual is highly inadequate. The HOW TO videos about the Barracuda are not all that great either. I would not recommend this machine to a novice beginner just starting out a career in sewing. This machine does require experience.

Still in the learning curve. Satisfied with the machine so far. Very pleased with Reliable support.