pegstar

Pollyparrot..

Thanks for the response....I did put oil in the small whole on
the bobbin winder...checked...no oil on hand wheel...when
I try to turn the small black wheel on the bobbin wire it won't
turn....I have a featherweight...I will check to see if it has the
same wheel....if not guess I will order one...they are only
about 90 cents...If that doesn't work...I live close to Syracuse,
NY, where there is a man who repairs old Singer machines and
I hear that he is very good...so will take it to him.

Thank you for writing.

Peg

pegstar

Oops.....that should be small hole on bobbin winder!!!

thepolyparrot

If the small black wheel (tire, ring) on the bobbin winder isn't turning at all, it might be full of gunk (dried oil) on the inside around the axle.

If I remember correctly, the FW uses the same size ring, so you can try that, too, but it sounds to me like the axle needs to be cleaned.

I would try dripping Liquid Wrench or Kroil or some other penetrating oil into the oil port, then trying to turn that "tire" by hand. If you can break the hardened gunk loose and then just let it sit overnight, the penetrating oil can get into the cracks to soften up the old oil and lubricate the axle so that it can turn freely, again.

The old stuff will partially work its way out of the oiling port so that you can wipe it away and drip in some fresh penetrating oil. Just keep working on it and I'll bet it works fine within just a few days.

You may have to disassemble the bobbin winder to clean the axle area, but I think the penetrating oil will work well enough to avoid that. Good luck and have fun with your new baby. :)

pegstar

Just wanted to let you know...the problem with the bobbin
winder was caused by the little rubber tire on it....I ordered
a new one...arrived in about 2 days....put it on today and I'm
back in business....don't have to wind my bobbins on my
featherweight anymore.

Thanks to all who offered advice.

Peg

so-sew

Ok, you guys! I just bought a 301 in a trapazoid table. She was in the back of a thrift shop storage room and so dirty and nasty looking that I think she was doomed for the dumpster. I asked for a price and paid them what they wanted....I HAD to save the old girl. I could tell she had been a loyal worker for many years.

Before I read this thread, I took the machine out of the table and am in the process of cleaning it. (Which it REALLY needed-have worked 9 hours on it so far and it's still needing more elbow grease). I want this machine to be portable, so I took all the hardware off the cabinet that belonged to the cradle and knee controller with the intention of selling them for a reasonable price. I'm not looking to get rich, only attempting to make the price I paid for the old girl seem a little less steep to me. I intended to ditch the table, which is in less than perfect condion, but still funcional if reassembled. Now what???? I always feel terrible throwing anything away that someone may want. Anyone interested? I live in Wisconsin and I'd be happy to give the table to the first person to come for it.

The 301 came with a zig zagger and button holer, which I know I'll never use. Those will be for sale too, along with the cradle. Maybe I'll make it a "lot" of items and sell it all for one low price. How about $20 plus shipping? What do you all think of that price?

Can you tell I'm confused?

tomilu

I would love to find one of those shaped cabinets for my 301, but mine is a longbed. Are there trap. cabinets for the longbeds???

so-sew

I thought maybe you could just cut the hole bigger, but I don't think it will fit unless you broaden the hole on the right side, not the left. It's an idea....

kwendt

I believe I saw an old Singer ad, that showed the 301 longbed fitting into the CARD TABLE. Which card table I don't know. I believe I remember the table had metal legs, which narrows it down some. Theres a lady on ebay that sells parts, and has told me that there IS a long bed cradle that was made for the long bed 301s, but that it doesn't fit into a standard sized (say a 201, etc.) opening. I don't have a long bed (yet!) so I cannot measure and find out for sure. If you're really curous, PM me and I'll get you the name/ebay name of the lady that had them.

cctx.

I had the same problem as you described with my 301A, but after oiling the auger hole some on the shaft of the bobbin holder, it will loosen it up and then it can spin or turn without pausing.., it works perfect now for me and fills the bobbins full, but to adjust the fullness of the bobbin, all you have to do is adjust the little screw on the surface of the machine.

My 401A needs a new bobbin replacement because the auger/shaft nut is loose.

Yes, do replace your bobbin tire too, it cost anywhere from $3.00 - $5.00 depending where you buy them from.
I have a brand new spare Bobbin tire here if you need it, I will gladly mail it to you free of charge, on the house from me to you.

cctx.

From what I see on your photo it's a 301 in the cabinet. The short bed has been removed though because that's what I see.
Depending on the condition of the machine, if you get it for $150.00, you're actually getting a tremendous deal.
The mechanism is what you need to ask about.
Does it sew, the foot pedal okay, the feet attachments, etc...