I have been wanting to put my 301A shortbed into a cabinet. I bid on a cradle at Ebay and won it. With the cradles, do the machines stay upright with the leaf extension open? Or can you lower the machine and close the extension.

And any tips or ideas on how to mount it when it gets here?

As you can tell, I was very bad and neglected do research on it.

You can open the extension and the machine will stay in the machine until you pick it up...nothing automatic with these older machines.

You have to flip out the other part of the flat surface in order for the machine to stay upright.

Did the cradle come with the two clips that go onto the front lip of the cabinet? (Please say yes)

Once you get the cradle installed, you can lower the machine just like you would lower a machine that doesn't use the cradle. It stays in the cradle and folds down and the extensions on the table fold over the top.

If you need it, I will take some pictures of how the clips are installed. You will put the cradle onto the hinge pins first, as if it's a machine. That will give you a guide for installing the clips.

The cradle installs like any sewing machine into the hinges. Then the 301 sets in the cradle and you can raise or lower it like any other machine. To take the machine out of the cabinet you flip a lever under the hinged plate on the machine on the cradle and it comes right out. It is a very ingenious invention.

Did you find a 301 cabinet? due to it's size you might not be able to put in just any Singer Cabinet...the hole might be too big or too small...

The cradle will fit a regular size Singer cabinet. Good idea to measure.

Here is a link to what cabinets the 301 came in new.
http://blog.sew-classic.com/2009/03/...ne-review.aspx

Good luck on the hunt! I love, love, love my 301.

Thanks for that link now I know the name of the cabine my 301A came in No 74 Spinet Cabinet...I wonder what they went for new...I lucked out found someone on Craigs list wanting 150 I offered 90, she countered with 120 and I went for it...The cabinet and machine was like they were never used in mint condition and I sooooo love her...I named her Indiana (where she traveled from) she's the beige/tan tri color...and the girl I bought her from was given her by her mother to bring here when she left home.

I think you got a bargain!!!! I've never seen the spinet cabinet and the two toned units aren't as prevalent as the solid beige or black. Did it have the seat too? Some generous lady gave me a beige 301 and I sent it to my daughter in Japan. I was just there for a 3 week visit, made her a quilt on the 301 and we FMQ it, worked great!!

Here is the link to the auction that I won. It does say that the cabinet lip pieces are not included. I hope it will still work!

http://www.ebay.com/itm/190588557890...84.m1439.l2649