I have had my 401A since the early '60s and I have it serviced very other year or so and it cost me anywhere between $60-$80 dollars and I curse but, I pay it and bring her home and work so more on her.

401s usually go for a lot more than that where I am!

There was one recently for sale here locally in a nice table and it sat on CL for at least a week for $80. I don't know if it ever sold.

The only thing is you can see them going for $345 on ebay and not know if they work or not. If I can get this one running for less than that I am hoping it will be worth it in the end. I got it free from craigslist because the guy couldn't find the cords, so far the cords and cleaning are all I have in it money wise. So if I can find this part on ebay or at a sewing place online and fix it myself then I am still not hurt to bad. I just need to know if the part I need to replace (hook in the bobbin case) is something I can do myself once I get the part. From the way they explained it to me is the hook that catches the thread doesn't catch very well in zig zag mode and skips stitches. I am a little mechanically inclined so if it's just a few screws and not to deep into the machine I think I can handle the replacing of the part.

Hi Carol,
I have a couple of 401s. If I was having the problems that you mentioned, I would try to replace the hook myself instead of paying someone to do it. There are a few websites that have resources and replacement parts. You might also be able to find the part on ebay. I've never changed the hook but I do take the bobbin case out of my machines when I am cleaning my machines.


Send me a pm and I'll be glad to give you the links to where you can get your repair questions answered. I can't imagine that it would cost $150 to repair this item....but as I said, I've never worked on the hook before.

I'm with kapatt. Order the part, download a manual and fix it yourself...it's really not that hard! :)

Thanks!

I'd rather buy a new hook and install it. You can buy a hook on eBay for $10-15 including shipping and it'll take a few hours to remove the old one and install the new one and then, clean and oil the rest of the machine. You'll save $225.

Anyone can learn how to clean, oil and adjust their own non-computerized machines. :) And I mean *anyone* - I learned how and I'm about as thick-headed as they come! :D

This is one of the attractions of these vintage machines - that with a little elbow grease and the occasional spare part, they'll sew on for a couple of centuries.

Is the hook actually broken or does it have a burr? A burr can be polished out. I would get a second opinion. Eyeball it real good and run your finger over that hook to see if there are burrs. If you buy another one be careful. I've gotten several off CL sometimes they work and sometimes they work after they are worked on a bit and sometimes you make compromises. I now have one parts machine. I had a 599 that had a stripped thread in the balance wheel so it won't come off, it won't loosen to wind a bobbin. One hits the foot with the needle - I need to figure that one out - it's a Singer 411 (German) And one must have had someone throw a temper fit with a hammer on the stitch selector. It does not work and probably never will - they bent the shaft. I set it up so that I can use top hats for everything. It has a wonderful motor and the foot control is great. But occasionally you can get a really nice one. Expect to pay more for a nice one.

Typo it was a Singer 500 not a 599 LOL - I'm wondering if you ever got that machine fixed? If not, I would sell the parts and buy another machine.