Singer 403a
#11
Power Poster
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Somewhere
Posts: 15,506
My 411G was hitting the presser foot. I tried everything finally, I replaced the bent needle shaft on my Singer 411G. It was not hard to do - it took about an hour - most of the time was spent timing the needle and the shuttle. I did not think the needle shaft was bent until I got it out and compared it to the donor's needle shaft. There is a picture on the bottom of this page: http://www.quiltingboard.com/t-130994-6.htm and link to my discussion of it http://www.quiltingboard.com/t-43881-1202.htm#3520792 and more on http://www.quiltingboard.com/t-43881-1169.htm
#12
Lots of the plates on these slant-needle machines have this needle strike damage. Having the needle enter the fabric at an angle makes needle deflection more likely when sewing through heavy or dense fabrics. The needle is overloaded and bends upward, putting the tip into the needle plate instead of the hole.
Almost all of my slant-needle machines have damage like this on the all-purpose needle plate and usually, it doesn't cause any trouble. If the damage is catching the thread and breaking it or causing skipped stitches, you'll have to try to get rid of them.
You can grind burrs off of the hole with a fine needle file or Dremel grinder tip or you could use emery cord on a single-needle hole plate.
I just re-read your message and you're saying that the needle is rubbing against this needle strike damage, so I would guess that either something is gunked up enough inside the machine to hold the needle bar too far forward or the needle bar is actually bent. I will try to find some pictures I took to show my daughter where to oil and jiggle her 401 and put them in here.
Almost all of my slant-needle machines have damage like this on the all-purpose needle plate and usually, it doesn't cause any trouble. If the damage is catching the thread and breaking it or causing skipped stitches, you'll have to try to get rid of them.
You can grind burrs off of the hole with a fine needle file or Dremel grinder tip or you could use emery cord on a single-needle hole plate.
I just re-read your message and you're saying that the needle is rubbing against this needle strike damage, so I would guess that either something is gunked up enough inside the machine to hold the needle bar too far forward or the needle bar is actually bent. I will try to find some pictures I took to show my daughter where to oil and jiggle her 401 and put them in here.
Oiling points under the face plate
[ATTACH=CONFIG]227031[/ATTACH]
This is a closeup of the lowest oiling point shown in the first picture. Keep this oiled and push the needle bar side to side and back and forth.
[ATTACH=CONFIG]227033[/ATTACH]
#14
Yes, it is - nasty stuff. I get it off of stainless and brass with denatured alcohol or acetone on q-tips or acid brushes. Don't let either of those get near painted surfaces, though.
It does do a good job of getting that hardened amber looking stuff off of bare metal - you can see bits of it left on the top of this fitting on the bottom. I think that's considered a sure sign of someone using 3-in-1 oil.
Funny thing is, 3-in-1 oil used to be advertised specifically for sewing machines. :)
.
It does do a good job of getting that hardened amber looking stuff off of bare metal - you can see bits of it left on the top of this fitting on the bottom. I think that's considered a sure sign of someone using 3-in-1 oil.
Funny thing is, 3-in-1 oil used to be advertised specifically for sewing machines. :)
.
Don't - believe - anything - you - read - in - this - ad! ;)
[ATTACH=CONFIG]227041[/ATTACH]
#15
Super Member
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Jacksonville, FL
Posts: 1,029
I have owned this machine for over 50 years now when I bought it new in MD. This happen to me recently and after going crazy with it decided to remove the plate. Then took the bobbin area out for the first time and found a thread caught up in the back of it. I cleaned it out and put all back in again, wew...now works like a dream.
#16
Power Poster
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Somewhere
Posts: 15,506
Originally Posted by thepolyparrot
Yes, it is - nasty stuff. I get it off of stainless and brass with denatured alcohol or acetone on q-tips or acid brushes. Don't let either of those get near painted surfaces, though.
It does do a good job of getting that hardened amber looking stuff off of bare metal - you can see bits of it left on the top of this fitting on the bottom. I think that's considered a sure sign of someone using 3-in-1 oil.
Funny thing is, 3-in-1 oil used to be advertised specifically for sewing machines. :)
.
It does do a good job of getting that hardened amber looking stuff off of bare metal - you can see bits of it left on the top of this fitting on the bottom. I think that's considered a sure sign of someone using 3-in-1 oil.
Funny thing is, 3-in-1 oil used to be advertised specifically for sewing machines. :)
.
#17
Power Poster
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Somewhere
Posts: 15,506
It could just be a bent needle. I was able to fix my machine with the bent shaft by replacing the shaft - someone must have pulled real hard on some heavy fabric or something. The needle goes in flat to the back and threads front to back. I hope you have it working by now.
#18
I have this same machine and my husband bought mine at an auction for $5.00. Mine sews great after I cleaned, oiled her up but it will only straight stitch. It has a cam for zig zag but can't get it to work but for the money they are great, heavy and NOT plastic. good luck with it.
#19
Power Poster
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Somewhere
Posts: 15,506
I have this same machine and my husband bought mine at an auction for $5.00. Mine sews great after I cleaned, oiled her up but it will only straight stitch. It has a cam for zig zag but can't get it to work but for the money they are great, heavy and NOT plastic. good luck with it.
Last edited by miriam; 11-06-2011 at 07:37 AM.
#20
Super Member
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: middle TN
Posts: 1,112
I'm sorry to say I don't have any bobbins, but I do have a box of 403 attachments - 403 slant-o-matic attachments - extra throat plate, 6 cams or disks, hemmer foot, appliqué foot, ruffler, zipper foot, button foot and darning foot and manual – also printed instruction sheet from seamstress who had the machine – $25 & ship/handling
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