1951 Singer 401A

1951 Singer 401A

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).

FOR SALE SINGER 401A

It is listed on eBay.  I hated to have to do it but I have to sell some machines.  This is a nice one, though.  It really is.  If I didn't already have one, I would be keeping this one.  It was such a pleasure to use.  It even accepts plastic bobbins.  My 201 won't do that.  Not without protest.  I should include some metal ones, though.  Just because....

Three 401A Singers

Sewing Machines, of course, not vocalists.  We worked on these three machines this afternoon.  The one in the foreground we just picked up yesterday.  The one in the back ground is one Betsy is servicing for money.  The one she is working on is a PITA.  We can't get the tension right. 

Betsy hates 401s.  I love them  I learned how to sew on one and I just have the best time fiddling with the stitch selector knobs and making all those fun stitches.  "Too many steps" complains my friend.  consequently the machine baffles her.  I offered to take it off her hands and work on it but she needs it as a model for the one she will service.  Then maybe I can grab it and see what is up with it.

I did service the motor today.  I remember when I first serviced a 401 motor.  I was very nervous about getting into "Ingrid".  But I did it with some help from a photo tutorial on one of the groups.

It took me a long time the first time.  Today it took me about 20 minutes.  Next time it will take less time.  Oh my, I wonder what kind of shape "Sal's" motor is in?  That is this kind of motor.  Oh boy won't that be fun?