401, or 404? Which
 

I am thinking of replacing my Janome with a vintage machine that can do zigzag. Thinking 401, 403 or 404. Leaning to the 404, any opinions? Just love the vintage machines.

The 404 doesn't zigzag it is a straight stitch only machine. The 401 & 403 do zigzag.

Cathy

The 237 is a nice ZZ machine also.

I have the 401, I love it, very strong machine and zig zag like crazy!

http://www.quiltingboard.com/main-f1...s-t160607.html
I lover the Singer 403 - 404 will zig zag if you have a slant needle zig zag attachment.

I vote for a 401a, which I own. It does beautiful decorative stitches, has all metal gears, and LOVES to run fast!

My 401 takes cams so has a number of stitches including zz. It also has built in stitches, including zz. It easily sews through heavy quilts - and without a walking foot! (I could use one if I wanted.) It is easy to see the needle and what you are working on. You can use two needles in it. There are two ways to thread it. It's not fussy. It's a great machine with a lot of good features and few drawbacks. It does like to be used frequently or the grease on the gears can get thick. And I don't like the way the feed dogs "drop"; basically, it raises the sewing surface instead. I've never tried free motion quilting on it; it has a horizontal bobbin and the best vintage fm machines have vertical bobbins. It is not an intuitive machine, so be sure you get a manual, which you can get online. If I could keep only a handful of my machines, my Singer 401 would be one of them.

401 Hands Down, no need to look further.

thanks for the information, given me food for thought.

I also have a 401A. It is my "go to" machine...love it! A real work horse.