Originally Posted by kwendt
Originally Posted by jtapp9
The 401s' are great too. Internal cam stack, AND takes top hats (which are easily found). They fit in lots of cabinets and even a card table (see the ISMACS site for Singer cabinets). I have a 403 (the less glitzy version)... and it sews very nicely. I paid $125 for machine (403a), the case, the attachments/book, AND the card table. (which was a great deal).
What do you mean by less glitzy :). there is a 403a that may be cheaper with no case. Will these 400 and 500 run sitting on a table or do they have to be in something? And thanks for your help!
You're welcome, Julie. I'm no expert... just an enthusiast.
The 403 that I have, the case locks onto the machine itself, there is no wood or plastic tray that the machine sits in. So YES it can be used ontop of a table, by itself. (make sure the rubber feet on the bottom are replaced or still good though...).
Of the USA 400 models, Singer made the 401's with all the extras - the internal cam stack, as well as all the other 400 series features. So it's like the er... 'highest' model for the 400's. Singer did the same thing with the 500 series as well. The 501 Rocketeer is the 500 series best (flagship model). The 503 is still great, but has slightly less features.
So the 403s and the 503's are the next step down in the series, still great, but with less features. Then there are other models in the series with even less features/plainer like the 404, 406. (Don't confuse the model numbers of German machines or industrials... those are different models.)
Perhaps do a google search to see pics of say... the 403... verses the 401. You will see that the 401 has a large dialy knob thing in the center front. It's got little needle like pointers on each side of it. That's the stitch selector for the internal cam system. Plus, on the top... there is a flip up section for the top hat cams to fit. More stitches to choose from!
Now my 403 machine (the step down model) has everything that 401 has EXCEPT the middle stitch selector knob... and that's cause it doesn't have the internal cam stack. But I still have the flip top section for top hat cams.
For the money, I'd get the 401a.... unless you don't particularly care about extra stitches. Best to go see both, make your decision then? It might be a personal preference kinda thing. You may not like having all the bells and whistles so to speak.[/quote]"
Ok I'll add my 2 cents worth, I would trade you a 401 for your 403. Yeah, they are a step down so to speak. If the 403 has all 22 cams, it will do the same work anyway.