Debbie - use your 401! If you need cams I know someone who has oodles of them for sale. Let me know & I will put you in contact with her.

Good deal. If she is a Qb'er let her pm me if not give her my email. Do you still have it? Thank you.

Leiladylei54 in HOnolulu may have her original cabinet for me. So exciting.

Thank you QC. :thumbup:

Maybe someone here will see it up there and go get it. I am always looking for machines no matter how old.

Debbie, use it. Even without cams it has straight stitch, zig zag and some built in stitches right? It is awesome for piecing, paper piecing, quilting, putting on binding etc. Once you start you might not want another machine. I don't use the cams but if you can pick them up inexpensive I would if I were you.You should be able to find the manual online and print it off. I would get a 1/4 inch foot for it and others like walking foot and free motion foot. What else does a quiter need? The only bad thing is that thing ever heavy.

The 401A is considered by many to be the best machine Singer made. I believe it is the best ZIGZAG machine they made. I love the whole 400 series of machines. I don't garment sew and had no need for my 401 or my 403 and sold them. I kept my 404 straight stitcher though.

I have some slant feet around here somewhere. If you are interested in them, I'll make you a good deal, I believe I even have a vintage Singer slant shank walking foot. The 401 has all the stitches built in, you shouldn't need any cams.

The 401 uses the built-in cam stack for zig zag and some of its decorative stitches. There are additional decorative stitches available, but require additional, external cams.

This site has some great information about the 400 series of machines:
http://blog.sew-classic.com/2008/10/...ne-review.aspx

Here is a comparative list of the stitches that the 401 & 403 machines can make. (note: the 403 uses only the external cams)
http://i522.photobucket.com/albums/w...atterns401.jpg

I have this same list Debbie. I used it to get the rest of the set for my 403. If you want, PM me the cam numbers you do not have. I will get in touch with the gal & get her pricing & contact info for you.

I have this same machine! I really need to spend some time sewing on her.. I have a ton of feet! I will check to see if I have any duplicates. I have the toughest time with the tension and breaking thread with her. I know it is me, just not used to having to adjust it like I do with her.

I want one!!

I sent you a pm

here is info for fixing a sewing machine up.
There is info on fixing the tension on the repair manual
you can print it out.
This one was VERY helpful to me. I had a machine that was giving me fits. The machine was not the same but the tensions aren't all that different. http://www.tfsr.org/publications/tec...achine_manual/