Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

first time sew'er. I'd like to try my hand at leather luggage is my end goal. can't justify an industrial machine. did some test pieces of two 10 oz veg tanned with a 'heavy duty' 110/18 needle and #69 nylon thread and it did ok. the thread broke, but I think that was due to me not having a 'leather needle'. the machine did not bog down nor complain with sounds of death. to the contrary, I was impressed on how it zipped through the leather. just got my 120/19 'leather' needles in so it should go even better now. teaching myself to sew via the internet and backpacking/BoB/ gear projects. using 1.1oz ripstop nylon 110/18 'heavy duty' needle #69 bonded nylon thread 1" polypro web/strap made a couple dozen stuff sacks w/ 1" webing from 6" to 4' including gather pulls. made a dozen compression straps. this machine has gone through it all without an issue of any kind. I'm impressed for such an inexpensive machine that many talk bad about on the internet, because it's a 'singer and they don't make their own stuff'. sure it might not last, but it's paid for itself in saving over store bought gear already and I get to sew it the way I want it. I got it off 'amazon warehouse deals'. I've ordered my leather sides 10oz chrome/veg/ tanned hides. once I get some more practice in, I'll update this review on how this machine does on long term heavy leather sewing. for us beginners wanting to do thick webbing/backpacking/ gear, I can highly recommend this singer heavy duty. update oct 1, 2017: still going strong. No issues. Just sowed my wife's blue jeans and it had no problems sewing through 2 layers denim(waist top seam) and through the belt loop top attache point. Something like 6-8 layers of denim ? used 110 denim needle, #69 cotton levi / gold thread.