miriam

So it would pay to learn how to ship things very well if you sell from Ebay. I much prefer to sell locally from CL. No shipping and I can make sure someone knows how to work the sewing machine before it leaves... That way they know and I know it is in working order.

jlhmnj

Yes, ebay is convenient but sort of a poor way to sell a sewing machine as far as service. Shippers can be brutal on these packages so it is best to pack well and pray.

Jon

MimiBug123

Charlee, congrats on your sewing room and the new grandbaby! I know you will enjoy both!!!

miriam

I spent some time trying to figure out a machine... It is a Singer 401. The motor spins like crazy when you turn the clutch to bobbin winder mode. If you try to sew it starts out going great then gets slower and slower and s l o w e r.... The machine turns fine. We tired a different motor and a couple different foot controllers. Turn it back to bobbin and away she goes... It seems to be the machine. It is VERY well oiled.

ThayerRags

Release the clutch to wind a bobbin (without the BW contacting the wheel), and put some drag on the handwheel with your hand. See if the motor chugs down like it did before, but only from the load from your hand. If it does, I’d look further into the motor and controller. If not, I’d look further into the machine.

I had a 401A that was locked up and wouldn’t move at all. Wiggle-jiggles finally led me to believe it was in the upper shaft, but I couldn’t find anything. I finally decided that it must be just a parts machine, but put a pipe wrench on the end of the shaft (with some leather covering the jaws) and gave it a nudge. It freed up immediately and spun like a champ, no damage. Something must have been in one end or the other of the main shaft bearings, and I forced it out. Maybe a thread? I never found a danged thing. Maybe yours has a similar problem in the making?

CD in Oklahoma

miriam

Thanks - I've tried two different motors and all the foot controllers that plug into the configuration. Same with every combo. I'll try letting it spin then put a bit of drag on it and see what it does. It is clean and moves freely. Maybe it needs more cleaning or something.

I've freed up countless 401s - I've seen some stuck up pretty much like glue. I can't remember this machine from when I cleaned it initially. I just went to check it before someone came to look at it and the dumb thing was was acting like that. Fortunately I had another one to sell the lady. When she left we fooled with the controllers and motors for a while. I'm thinking it may be time to get serious with some heavy duty cleaning down there in the gears.

DanofNJ

I prefer cl or estate sales. Some machines that I would have considered strongly I've walked away from seeing their true condition. A trick on Ebay they use is to show the good condition side of the machine, deceptively leaving damage obscure in the pictures... Then you have to pray it is packed properly and not abused. I insist on Fedex or UPS case the USPS specializes in doing a poor job on this sort of stuff.

Your mileage may vary.

miriam

I prefer Fedex - they are pricy but they get it there in one piece - well so far so good.

Janis

I was reading some postings from earlier in the month about teaching grand kids to sew. Lauren, 6 has been interested and loves to contol the foot petal. Today I was making her a new Christmas stocking to replace the missing one, and I had her sew it up, contoling both the fabric and the foot control. Of course, I had a hand on it too. She loved it, and we even made a rice bag and cover for it for her mother. She was so pleased with her work. I oiled and greased my FW and then had her sew on paper, without thread. Later she sewed on some scrap fabric and loved it. I think I'll have a sewer there and will have to share my machine when I bring it up with me.

jlhmnj

Ebay is GREAT is parts, parts machines, and browsing / researching. Occasionally I buy a $10 or $20 treadle head and roll the dice on it arriving in one piece. I'd only buy something nice if the seller had a proven track record of shipping and honest dealing in feedback.

Jon