Singer 401 A woes .......
 

A month or so ago we got a 401A. No case top, no foot controller or power cord, needed some tensioner parts, a bottom spool pin and a lot of cleaning.
The poor thing was just covered in grime and grunge and smoke residue. Not to mention that everything that could be greased (even if it shouldn't be) was slathered in something brown that looked and felt like chassis grease. YUCK.

So I spent about 12 hours or so cleaning, cleaning, cleaning, and then cleaned some more before I started lubing and greasing. Yes, the owners manual calls for grease on the gears only. It actually states to not use any oil on them.

Got it all cleaned up. Put in a new bottom spool pin, got the tensioner parts replaced at our LSMS, installed the new cords and foot controller and tested it out.

NICE ...... Joey likie!!!

We got some cams and accessories for the slant stitch from the LSMS too and really haven't' done anything with it yet but test stitch and play with it.

But ......

My wife has:
Singer 538 with complete set of decorative cams ( currently out of service )
Singer 319K with all of it's cams and those from the 538
Bernina Record 930 with about a million built in stitches
Ideal Automatik with 20 cams
The MW URR 988 that will have cams when we find them
And a couple other zig-zag machines with built in decorative stitches .......
And a Singer 4622A with 25 built in decorative stitches

I've used them a bit, they just don't speak to me.
She loves that 319K, but it just doesn't do anything for me.


I have fallen for the 401A.


I want it

She won't let me have it

I think she's being greedy



I'm gonna take it anyway



If sometime I don't come back you'll know why.




Joe

Well, has she got a lot of nerve. I think you deserve it. You have bonded with it,haven't you? Just take it to your room and hide it. LOL Barny

Good idea .:thumbup:

Joe

Well, Joe. Just tell her it isn't a puppy you want to keep. Just a sewing machine and it makes you really happy and maybe she will agree to get rid of one of hers so you can keep yours. She won't like that idea much but you will get to keep your 401 and she will get to keep hers.

mea,

My wife get rid of a sewing machine?????? Not a chance in the world. I think she'll just have to share.

Joe

Hi Joe,
I completely understand and am with you about the 401A. Found mine right after Christmas at our local Goodwill for $30.00. Clean as a whistle and in a very nice cabinet. It purrs and has become my favorite machine. No extra cams but so many stitches built in that I can wait a while to purchase the extra cams. If I can find them, haven't looked yet on line. No attachments came with it but feet to my featherweight and Singer 9134 both fit so that is no problem. Am really looking forward to using a twin needle, don't have one just yet, but can't wait to see the stitches side by side in two colors. Loving it. Sure hope she at least lets you use it occasionally. Kitsy

Kitsy, check with Cathy (board name Mizkaki) I got a set of cams from her for the most reasonable price! :)

Joe maybe set up a schedule and you can share it ? Compromise :)

You seem to find either the nastiest machines or just do a lot of cleaning. I know I have seen some that were dirty and rusty on here, but yours seem more gross then normal. After all that work, just tell your wife that it was like a skunk that needed special attention and it only likes you now. My mama always said that if you put all that work into something then it is yours. Did anyone ever tell you that you sound like someone else?

I sewed for years on the 401A that my mother had. Some years ago I got one for myself... I agree with you - they are the BEST! Looks like you'll just have to get another one - his and hers!

Enjoy!

Laura