Originally Posted by hobbykat1955
Yes it is a metal holding case that comes out and bobbin is put in that...
I have a 1951 Black 301 which did not come w/bobbin case...picked it up at a tag sale for 30.00 so I didn't mind buying case for it...for 69.00. Runs beautiful after a ckup with Singer repair man who does vintage machines.
He told me the 301 is the best gear driven machine Singer made and he'd buy that even before a featherweight...He was right it purrs and what a great stitch.
A few mths after buying that I found a 2 Toned beige 1954 301A for 120.00 on Craigs List in cabinet.. I was hooked on my 301 but I find this 301A I like even better even though they are the same machine other then where they were made...That baby purrs even smoother and I discovered the cabinet came equipped with knee pedal which I use and love. So get your 301 versus the 401 you won't regret it.
you are right on the two-tone 301s. for some reason, they
are the fastest machines. yes, the throat area is small, but
for medium quilts, they are great. I have done queen size, but it was a struggle. "pool" your quilt, do not roll it as many sites say to do. relax everything so the area you are
working on does not have an tension or pulling on it.
get the 401 if you do not have a zig-zag machine. It is
a real work horse. you will love either one. and you can
maintain it yourself from the start if you follow the manual.