Thread: Singer 401 -advice needed on economic restoration???

Originally Posted by lswan

The 401 is just great for piecing. I use the 401 for piecing non stop. I use my 301s for FMQ because you can screw down the feed dogs. The 401 can zig zag masterfully and do some other fancy stitches that I use for machine sewing quilt binding on. Find another 401 or 403. I bought mine from ebay- it showed a video of it working. I did do a thorough cleaning and oiling, but the gear driven machine is awesome. The slant needle lets you see perfectly when piecing small pieces. Sold my new Pfaff and replaced it with the 401 and 301s and have only become a better quilter!
Linda

I got rid of a Janome and use a Singer 403 - I'm MUCH happier.
I have a Singer 500 machine - I use it for parts - I have rescued so many machines that I have lost count. There is a point of no return on rescuing some of them though - just look for another 401 or better still a 403 or a 503 - good machines.

Originally Posted by mulberryellie

My trapezoid case had tiny perfectly circular holes (pin head size) and new sawdust kept appearing on binliner so I guessed still live woodworm!

Im going to burn the wooden case once I have stripped the plastic/vinyl covering off.

Wood worms can be easily killed by spraying the machine with insecticide and cover it in a carbage bag for several days that should get rid of them.
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