I always have to reply when I see someone has bought a 401A. That is my first vintage machine (well, other than my 1951 Featherweight which I received as a gift in 1959.) Have been using mine regularly since my father purchased it for me in January, 2012. We were thrift store browsing, I saw it and he offered to pay. Have since purchased 8 more vintage machines and love them all. I agree with irishrose, don't give up yet. The people on here are very good at helping us find solutions to our myriad problems.