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Any recomendations on a cheap sewing machine? Mainly planning to use the machine for toggle setting, break setting ,canopy repairs/mods and overall learning and experimentation.

For work on lines, you'll be best served with a bar tacker, which isn't going to be cheap.

You can use a super tight zig-zag to make do for that, but a bar tacker is way better.


For a first machine, I'd recommend just not worrying about working on lines and focusing on light fabric sewing.

Get a simple industrial straight stitch, or just a good home machine, and you'll be set for a lot of learning and experimentation, which will help you learn what you want in a more expensive machine.

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For your 1st sewing machine . Your looking for a learning and do all workhorse for the 'basics' .
Your 1st sewing machine ( you need ) . And, If I was to have only One machine . It would be a Strait stitch, Zig Zag combo machine .
( straight, zig zag combo ) like Old working Singer ( like a 143 ) or some other models like Bernina 217, or moving up to a Consew 146RB-1A

Having your own bar-tack is a nice (high speed) option but not necessary . You can still just do your own bar-tack stitch if needed with a Combo machine on a Line, webbing or fabric . Plus work/straight stitch on all your basic learning and repairs .
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In our loft, we've been using a Husqvarna Emerald for canopy repairs the past couple years, It's very smooth, and you can slow it right down while you're getting the hang of sewing (I'm not sure if the zig-zag setting is a proper 308 triple throw for lines though). I doubt it would be robust enough for any side projects like jeans or cordura. For heavy duty stuff we use a few Reliable 4000SW, but they're very expensive. For a first machine, consider second hand, and get a pro to give it a tune up first. Sewing machines are extremely finnicky; Welcome to the wonderful world of cursing at sewing machines. (You'll need an owners manual).
...and avoid the Barracuda, worst machine ever.

I got an old singer 20u on the recommendation of Marty at asylum. Found one on Craigslist for $300 and spent about $20 and some time tearing it down to get it all lubed up and the timing right. Love that machine and have done many projects on it over the years

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Ya what he said ..." Welcome to the wonderful world of cursing at sewing machines ".
Everything is all smooth Luvvy Duvvy and sweet roses till there is problems and you want to Beat a machine with a hammer . I also promise you will eventually be seeking ( making friends ) with a mobile repair Tec. or one in a shop . Because a ( REAL mechanic) professional is needed every so often .

1st thing learning to Sew with sewing machine is not all sewing . Other half of you learning to sew is learning machine set-up to properly sew what materials you have chosen, and every once in while learning to fix/repair a machine that is temporarily giving you a fit
( IMHO) 1st Learning basics, like laying down stitching and changing tensions,threads and needles sizes for the different material types your sewing . that will keep you busy for a while . I been sewing for years with many machines and I am still to this day picking up fine subtle nuances in proper setups with different fabric materials .

If your going to have just one industrial machine to do your basic jump repair/rigging and learn, get a simple industrial combo straight zigzag stitch . On Combo stitch straight/zig zag machines even the old Singer industrial 143 with no reverse is strong enough machine to even make Toggles or be tensioned low enough for light weight fabric repair .
Bar-Tac machine is great for fast repetition and every Tack looking the same for craftsmanship . there nice but you don't necessarily need a Bar-tack machine, or even a Combo straight zigzag machine with a cam-box in triple throw for making a Bar-tack stitch . it's a little Slower and it good for you to learn . A simple combo machine can do it with also control of width and stitch per-inch . ( A standard 3-pass stitch ) . with 1st straight stitch, then 2-pass zig zig on the lock off is a Bar-tack .
For your ( Brake settings ) like you are asking about . You Don't even need a Bar-tack stitch anyway . Done with a ( proper finger trap ) for toggle settings, all you Need is a hand-tack anyway with needle and thread to hold the setting forever and it's no big deal . The big deal is learning how to Rig a proper line finger-trap and learning proper canopy Brake settings .

You can have just one machine, or as many sewing machines you want with all of them set-up for a single different suppose . But like buying Jump gear it all comes down to how fat your wallet is and how much time you want to devote to it . Sewing simply Screams 'WORK' and (imho) I would Run away and never look back if your not looking to stick with it for a few years and wanting to spend even more money to your jump habit .
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depending on budget and what you want to achieve, everything of what has been said above. i would go for zig-zag / straight combo machine if you only want to get one -

- avoid cheap plastic household sewing machines.

- little bugdet -> get a good (!) old household sewing machine (sometimes sold as "semi-industrial")
eg. Pfaff 260, Bernina Favorit 500-700 series.
they were manufactured and sold as household sewing machines back in the day but cannot be compared to most plastic household sewing machines of today. they have a sturdy frame, are mostly metal, and perfectly fine for doing the occasional patch, line replacement, or very light container repairs (like restitching broken seams on binding or cosmetic work)

- little more budget -> light duty zig-zag machines that can go straight aswell like Pfaff 138, pfaff 238, bernina 217, singer 20U...
those were intended as "industrial" sewing machines, and will do same as the ones above but nicer and working will be way more fun. (be it for the comfort of a real sewing table that hopefully comes with, the more powerful drive, aswell as the possibility to work on heavier materials)

- high budget -> get multiple machines. one industrial straight stitch for canopy repairs, one bartacker for lines and other stuff, a strong zig-zag machine, and a harness machine....

anyways, i started with a bernina favorit 540, had a pfaff 260 for some time, and now also own a bernina 217. besides the harness ive build base rigs on those and did all kinds of repairs on canopies. its not fast, it sometimes isnt fun, but it works. i would go with a pfaff 238 instead of the bernina 217 if you have two same-priced offers since the pfaff is maybe better when working on heavier materials, and replacement parts are easier to get in the US i suppose.

a good read is also the sewing machine part of the faa rigger manual:
http://avstop.com/ac/prh/chapter6_12.html

one last thing, if you dont know a lot about sewing machines yet, dont by crap of ebay or craigslist, unless you want to learn a lot about crappy sewing machines and what makes them crappy the hard way (been there...). go find a industrial sewing machine dealer, or sewing shop that also deals used industrial sewing machines, and get a serviced (!) machine, this way you will end up paying quite a bit more, but its really worth it. you can also bring some pieces of material and thread you want to use and get the guy to help you dial it in a bit if youve never done that.

If you've never sewn before, realize there's a lot of learning to be done. I started a few months ago and am still just working on modifying/making non-parachuting projects. I haven't trusted myself to do any work on live aerodynamic decelerators just yet.

http://www.amazon.com/...dplate/dp/B003VWXZKG

This is my first and only sewing machine. Yes, it is a cheap sewing machine. Yes it will probably not last super long...but this is all you will need at first. Don't spend any more than $100-$120 on your first machine.

I just completed a 7-cell 37sq ft model BASE canopy (complete with load tapes...same construction as my flik) using only this machine. I've made a couple slings with it (it sews through a double layer of tubular webbing).

You should just get the machine I linked, a spool of e-thread, some nylon, and several proper gauge needles (100/16 or 110/18). A world of learnin for $150

I have a Consew 199R-1A and it is a pretty good all around machine like the Singer 20U.
Keep in mind, and as others have stated, every time you change projects (ie. different materials, different combinations of materials) you will have to change thread (needle and bobbin), tensions (needle and bobbin), needle, and pressure foot tension (*potentially on all accounts but all will have to be checked*).
That is the biggest pain in the ass about sewing in our world is that the projects change so fast and you are likely to spend more time setting up the machine for the job than you will doing the job itself.
A good old home machine isn't a bad thing to have around but unless grandma gives you one (like me, RIP grandma ) or you find one for twenty bucks, save your money for a designated commercial machine.
Lastly, shop till you drop. I won't buy unless I can find a machine for less than half of what they sell for new. The deals are out there you just have to be looking.
Good luck. Your going to need it.

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I've done a lot of learning on the same machine.

It's not the best at going through thicker stuff but it's great for doing basic patches and learning on soft materials. If I could go back I would probably spend a little more for a second hand machine that's a little more industrial.

Search on Craigslist for "commercial sewing" most larger cities should have a couple machines. Get the seller to show all the features and adjustments.

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You can look on the Craigslist for used machine that is local or not far to drive but you need to look for things and ask questions . Like, (private party) or (repair shop) . Does it Run ? . Is it plug-in and Sew, Can I sew on it to check it out before I buy ? . (if not) Why ? . Is it complete ??? . Does it have, Table, Bobbin winder, Thread tree/stand, motor, has it ever had Hook and bobbin assembly replaced ? any other parts replaced ? . did they buy new ? . where did they buy it from ?

I personally see a LOT of JUNK on CraigsList advertised as ' industrial sewing machines ' .
If it a private party sale on Craigslist and If you cant drive over and lay-down some stitches right there with it before purchase . Then don't buy it .
Why it's not running and pictured there on CraigsList for sale in dusty pile ? Because they the seller, sure in the hell have no idea of whats going and most likely have even less knowledge than you do who is buying your 1st sewing machine .
So unless it is just a steal priced for little to nothing . I would just walk and keep looking around . Or find a friend who has more machine knowledge than you and possible go with you so you don't get ripped-off.

What I am saying is CraigsList is internet sales, so it's 50% made of liars & cheats . Just how hard is it to just throw a sheet over a properly stored sew machine that is valued by an owner who actually give a shit ??? . It's not as hard as it sounds .
If a machine is not running and the 'owner' has it sitting in a heap covered in dust & dirt and it Looks Like Crap Pile that is Not Running . It Is a Pile of Crap and It's NOT WORTH popping several hundred-$$ into it in 'parts & labor' . Walk and keep looking for better .
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Informative thread about sewing machines