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| 1951 Singer 401A |
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I had to do it. How could I not? This machine was 55 miles away. It came with an adorable blond desk cabinet. Steven's granddaughter learned how to sew on a 401A and every time she visits from California she mentions that. I get the hint. She wants one. This one is for her. It is quite clean for a 62 year old machine. The cabinet is in nice shape as well. That will not get shipped. I will sneak that up into the guest apartment this weekend while Steven is away in the Virgin Islands. (He deserves a nice vacation. He has been tending the canines while I work....)
True to 401A reputation, the stitch selector knobs were stuck. The A-J knob freed up with a little Tri-Flow applied to the camstack follower. Look at the brown fluid on top of the follower to the left in the photo. ICK..The K-Special knob took a bit more persuading. They both move freely now as does the plunger for the needle bar left to right swing. I cannot wait for Friday when I will have time to get this machine all cleaned up. (I apologize for leaving the top hat cam in place for the photo).
I've had one of these since 1970 and have sewn hundreds and hundreds of items on it. It's a real workhorse. The only thing it's not great on is slippery knits so I pull out my little basic Brother machine for those. I trust the grandaughter will enjoy using it.
ReplyDeleteThis is one of my favorite Singer machines. The other one I love is the 404, which only stitches a straight stitch. I actually have the 401A in my office in a cabinet. I use it mostly for mending, but I do love it. The motor is strong and fast! GD will love it!!!
ReplyDeleteElizabeth, I have one of these. It was the first vintage I bought. It was in remarkably good shape except the case was shipped without the bottom and the case top got broken. What is the odds of finding a bottom, right, not good. My husband keep threatening to throw the broken top out which I would fix if there was a bottom. I love the way it sews. Now I know how to get the cams to move a bit better after reading this. I was disappointed that I could not FMQ with this because the throat plate lifts up, dogs don't go down and so the fabric does not slide well. I use it for zig zag, blind hem and decorative stitch. Then I bought a 301 and another, and...
ReplyDeleteOne more day till I drive clear past Rochester to get the treadle! Hope it is as good as the photo looks.
Linda
Thanks so much. I have one of these - sitting and waiting. Think I'll take it out and work along with you.
ReplyDeleteI had one of these once. I heard that the internal parts in the 401 is the same as the 500 rocketeer. We do have the Rocketeer here. My 12 year old daughter absolutely loves to sew on it and considers it "her" machine. What I like about it for the new sewer is you push the lever up for reverse. You do not have to hold a button. that way you can have both hands free to manipulate the fabric. It has worked well for us!
ReplyDeleteI'm enjoying your blog very much and we have a bunch of the same machines.
ReplyDeleteI have this one as well as a 500 and 503. I absolutely love my 401 and it came in a cabinet with manual and attachments.
Art4vr, are you saying that you don't have a bottom to a portable case? What sort of case? You can make a simple wooden base and you know that those ivory colored plastic portable cases are sold at various places (about $30-$35) and can sometimes be found at online used sites. Yard sales might be a good place too look or try FreeCycle. Used cabinets are out there too. Don't toss that top as it will help keep the dust off your machine.
Visitor
Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU! ILYSM!
ReplyDeleteYou are welcome. Glad I could help.
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