Sturdy, basic sewing machine?

[Think of Winter]

I had a nice, new, computerized Brother for about 6 mos, and dropped it. The repair cost is more than double what I spent Can anyone recommend a good, basic machine? I want it to be able to sew through denim or canvas, fancy stitches not necessary. I think my money would be better spent this time on a good quality, simple machine, if such a thing even exists anymore.

[potatocraft]

I worked in a shop that sold Viking Machines and I thought the Emeralds and the Scandinavias were nice basic machines.

However the best work horses my husband and I have ever found were then $40 good will finds and a sewing machine he found on the side of the road on trash day and after a good oiling they have since gone through everything like butter.

We have had bad luck with new singers but if you can get one that is more then 20 years old and has metal guts they are like gold.

Berninas are expensive but they are work horses as well.

Pfaffs come with a walking foot if you like to do a lot of quilting or sew with slippery fabrics often.
All of these companies also have lower end lines that they make. Viking makes White, I have owned a white and I got really good at diagnosing thread tangles. It was my first machine so it could have been me causing the tangles.

Most important to remember is the good will variety are a gamble but they will let you test them before you leave the store so you will at least know if it will run.
A "mart" machine bought at a big box store is what you pay for it. They are cheap and tend to be really frustrating to run because they will gum up quicker. Plus you cannot try them out first.
You will pay more at a sewing store but the quality is better and you will get to try out the machines first and know what they can do. Stores will have sample fabric to try the machine with but it is a good idea to bring a sample of what you normally sew at home with you. Just bring the heaviest, sheerest, and a normal fabric that you would use and see how the machine can handle it. A good sales person will help you see the best in that machine before you buy it. And there is usually a class to get you started with your machine to learn all of it's features that comes free with the machine.

Anyway, I hope that wasn't too confusing. Feel free to message me if you have any other questions I can answer.
Personally we own 6 machines (my husband is a packrat) of different make and model and there are good and bad to each.

hth,
Shawna

[scrapadoozer]

I love my Kenmore. It is computerized but it's still quite basic and it will sew through anything I throw at it.

[LucyRev]

I have a Janome (from a sewing machine shop) that's about 5 yrs old and a 30 yr old Husqvarna Viking. Both of them are really great, and dependable. Realistically, the old machine does everything I need and all it has is straight, zig zag and buttonhole settings. I wish it had a needle down option, and a few decorative stitches, but it's all metal, it runs so smooth and goes right through several layers of denim and quilts. I personally would never buy a computerized machine, but I'm not interested in machine embroidery.

[shakashoe]

I'm going to second Potatcraft's advice. If you can't afford $1000+ for a great quality machine, go with a used old style machine. I have great luck with old Kenmores as long as they are all metal. I use a 15 year old Bernina 1090 that I paid $1400 for in 1993 and it is a champ. They still fetch $800-$900 on ebay. Good luck and let everyone know what you decide.