Choosing Between a Singer 301 and a 401/advice please
07-24-2011, 02:23 PM
#11
Super Member
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Norfolk, VA
Posts: 5,397
Originally Posted by Patchesnposies
Originally Posted by tellabella
I bought the cutest 301 a couple of weeks ago and cleaned it all up and she sews beautifully...this weekend I found another one...in a table...I don't know anything about the 401..but do watch for the bobbin case...make sure they know what it is...
I bought a 221 a while ago and the lady told me the bobbin case was broken...I bought the machine becasue the price was good but when i got it home I saw there was nothing wrong with the bobbin case ...it was the tension unit that was in pieces and I was able to put it all back together...
I bought a 221 a while ago and the lady told me the bobbin case was broken...I bought the machine becasue the price was good but when i got it home I saw there was nothing wrong with the bobbin case ...it was the tension unit that was in pieces and I was able to put it all back together...
If so, there is a picture showing that part under the machine.
Is that what is sometimes missing?
07-24-2011, 02:28 PM
#12
Super Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: New Mexico
Posts: 1,275
Originally Posted by romanojg
Originally Posted by Patchesnposies
Originally Posted by tellabella
I bought the cutest 301 a couple of weeks ago and cleaned it all up and she sews beautifully...this weekend I found another one...in a table...I don't know anything about the 401..but do watch for the bobbin case...make sure they know what it is...
I bought a 221 a while ago and the lady told me the bobbin case was broken...I bought the machine becasue the price was good but when i got it home I saw there was nothing wrong with the bobbin case ...it was the tension unit that was in pieces and I was able to put it all back together...
I bought a 221 a while ago and the lady told me the bobbin case was broken...I bought the machine becasue the price was good but when i got it home I saw there was nothing wrong with the bobbin case ...it was the tension unit that was in pieces and I was able to put it all back together...
If so, there is a picture showing that part under the machine.
Is that what is sometimes missing?
07-24-2011, 03:31 PM
#13
Super Member
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Milton DE
Posts: 3,189
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.
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.
07-24-2011, 04:07 PM
#15
Super Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: New Mexico
Posts: 1,275
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.
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.
07-24-2011, 04:33 PM
#16
Super Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: New Mexico
Posts: 1,275
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.
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.
(Hooray!)
07-24-2011, 04:35 PM
#17
Super Member
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Cadillac, MI
Posts: 6,487
Yes, you will need a darning or FM foot. The 301 is slant shank machine so a regular short shank won't fit. I purchased mine from April1930sshop for $18.95 and no shipping. My LQS likes it better than the one they sell. I have only done lap quilts, but some have been 70 by 80 inches. A 7 1/4" or 7 1/2" harp is only normal size, but I haven't had any trouble. I think the curved pillar helps a little. I like my machines flush in a desk or cabinet. I can't sew with a machine sitting above table level. I know it's all in what I'm accustomed to. First, I used my serger table with the extension that raises on the left side. Now it's in a Kenmore cabinet from Salvation Army for $1. Looks normal. No one knows it's resting on a cut up 2 by 4. My chances of finding a 301 cabinet in the north country aren't good. Actually, I know where there is one in Indianapolis and my son sometimes travels that way.
Miss AnnieRose is worth every penny of the $61 I paid for her. The seller had replaced the electric cord and thought he had cleaned and serviced her. Oiled, maybe, cleaned, not. But they are easy machines to service yourself - also light to ship unless there's a case involved. If you don't get a manual, sewclassic.com has a free one.
Miss AnnieRose is worth every penny of the $61 I paid for her. The seller had replaced the electric cord and thought he had cleaned and serviced her. Oiled, maybe, cleaned, not. But they are easy machines to service yourself - also light to ship unless there's a case involved. If you don't get a manual, sewclassic.com has a free one.
07-24-2011, 04:39 PM
#18
Super Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: New Mexico
Posts: 1,275
Originally Posted by irishrose
Yes, you will need a darning or FM foot. The 301 is slant needle so a regular short shank won't fit. I purchased mine from April1930sshop for $18.95 and no shipping. My LQS likes it better than the one they sell. I have only done lap quilts, but some have been 70 by 80 inches. A 7 1/4" or 7 1/2" harp is only normal size, but I haven't had any trouble. I think the curved pillar helps a little. I like my machines flush in a desk or cabinet. I can't sew with a machine sitting above table level. I know it's all in what I'm accustomed to. First, I used my serger table with the extension that raises on the left side. Now it's in a Kenmore cabinet from Salvation Army for $1. Looks normal. No one knows it's resting on a cut up 2 by 4. My chances of finding a 301 cabinet in the north country aren't good. Actually, I know where there is one in Indianapolis and my son sometimes travels that way.
Miss AnnieRose is worth every penny of the $61 I paid for her.
Miss AnnieRose is worth every penny of the $61 I paid for her.
My husband grew up sewing and maintaining his mother's 301a machine and is promising to put mine into a table for me.
Is April1930sshop someone on the QB or can you give me the contact info so I can get a foot?
Thanks for letting me know,
Deb
07-24-2011, 04:51 PM
#20
Super Member
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Cadillac, MI
Posts: 6,487
http://www.april1930s.com/html/embro...cessories.html
I bought the 1/4" foot, too. I'm not sure about that one. First I liked it, now I like a metal guide screwed to the machine better. Also the SITD foot. Love that one. I wouldn't SITD without it. I haven't needed a walking foot - Annie doesn't shift the fabric like the Elna. A new tire for the bobbin winder (Annie's was dry) and a screw for the thread guide someone on the board gifted me with. The regular Singer screw wouldn't fit. I have purchased a tension spring as Annie's seems a little springy, but so far haven't needed to install it, but for $2.95, I'm covered. I could get at sewclassic for less than a $1, but there is a minimum purchase and a shipping fee that's much more than $2.
Look at the home page at the $600 original penguin walking foot for the featherweight. The first time I saw it, I had to read it twice.
I bought the 1/4" foot, too. I'm not sure about that one. First I liked it, now I like a metal guide screwed to the machine better. Also the SITD foot. Love that one. I wouldn't SITD without it. I haven't needed a walking foot - Annie doesn't shift the fabric like the Elna. A new tire for the bobbin winder (Annie's was dry) and a screw for the thread guide someone on the board gifted me with. The regular Singer screw wouldn't fit. I have purchased a tension spring as Annie's seems a little springy, but so far haven't needed to install it, but for $2.95, I'm covered. I could get at sewclassic for less than a $1, but there is a minimum purchase and a shipping fee that's much more than $2.
Look at the home page at the $600 original penguin walking foot for the featherweight. The first time I saw it, I had to read it twice.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
karenpatrick
For Vintage & Antique Machine Enthusiasts
13
05-20-2020 11:42 AM
tatavw01
Links and Resources
1
01-30-2012 09:14 PM
AshleyO
For Vintage & Antique Machine Enthusiasts
19
04-06-2011 09:41 AM
