This is an old thread, but I thought I'd weigh in. After 6 years of owning a Reliable (unreliable) Baracuda 2000UW (200ZW) I'm throwing in the towel. I can't take it anymore. I've spent more in parts that I paid for the machine and I now know WAY MORE than I ever wanted to know about how a sewing machine worked.
Let me explain... I do not sew for a living. I love boats, and they all seem to need canvas repaired or replaced from time to time. I got a quote 7 years ago for new canvas and at $12,000+, I thought I could just do it myself. I did my
research and found a 1/2 dozen machines that all "looked" the same and the Reliable machine was the cheapest (about $600 then but now $499 on Amazon). It showed up, and as RCHILDRESS stated above, it was not that impressive from a packaging or
documentation standpoint, but it worked so I dove in.
During the first
project I got to learn how the
motor drive worked (as the pulleys started to squeak). The bracket just twisted next which shreaded the belts. Two or three sets of belts later and a bunch of shims and I found that Sailrite
sold parts for the LSZ-1 that fit my machine. The original pulleys were
cheap aluminum on a
steel shafts that went egg shaped, so I ended up
buying all new pulleys, belts, and a Monster Balance
Wheel from Sailrite.
The next couple of small projects went OK, and then I started breaking needles. I actually ended up
buying a bulk pack (96) needles as I started to learn more about how the machine worked. The issue this time was the zig-zag drive mechanism (or the slop it in). Another $200 in parts later, and I had it working again.
By the three year point, I had became an expert at adjusting the timing. I knew it was off when the needle would crash into the bobbin hook or the retaining ring, snap a needle cause the needle drive shaft to slip. I don't know how many times I've had to re-set the needle bar height or reset timing but allen
head screws and slotted screws had to be replaced as they were getting rounded out. Before
learning how things worked, I bought another $200+ in parts. I have a collection of bobbin hooks with burs on them if anyone wants them....
The last straw for me was a month ago. I was making a new enclosure and heard a terrible crunch sound. I could not figure out what it was at first. The crunch happened but it kept sewing. 5 minutes later, a pile of parts from the needle drive mechanism fell in crumbles on my sewing project. The
motor just spun and nothing happened.... The machine is NOT made well. Lots of pot metal parts. Lack of lubrication access and metal on metal surfaces eventually takes it toll. I ordered up another $100 of parts.... Its working again, but it's
for sale (if anyone wants it).
Today my new Sailrite LSZ-1 arrived. 6 years later and a lot swearing and I decided that my sewing should be just that, not another chapter in machine mechanics. This thing is a dream. Its quite. It sews straight. I opened it up to look inside and you can really tell the difference. The linkage is all tight and works just like it should.
Like so many things in life, its what's on the inside that counts. Don't fall for a cheap imitation or like I, you may end up regretting it.