Love this machine-Singer 401
 

I recently purchased a Singer 401 or 401A from Ebay. It is everything I needed. Works like a dream and is easy to use. I am currently making fabric -covered clothesline containers and this is the machine I needed to do the job. Got the machine for $100 plus $20 for shipping. One of my better purchases.:thumbup:

My 401A is my favorite machine! Enjoy!

We have a 401A. My wife and I jokingly fight over it. It's a really good machine.

Joe

Is a 401 a straight stitch only? Or does it use cams for special stitches?

The 401 is a ZZ that has a built in cam stack ( ALL metal ) and it uses cams too. In my opinion the built in cams make better patterns than the removable cams.

Joe

I learned to sew on my mom's 401A. She got hers new when she was in high school. When I got married, she bought me a used one. This is a great machine!

Singer made a 404 that is slant needle too - good machine.

I bought the 404 the year I married (1962). It's a straight stitcher only ,but I did get the zigzag attachment and the buttonhole attachment. Still makes a beautiful stitch.

I have the 401A..........Was my FIRST Wedding anniversary gift.........Is a workhorse for sure. Just very heavy. So inconvenient to move from one place in the house to another........I use my spare bedroom for my sewing........

I would disagree - I like it that the 403s stitch width can be changed and it can be done narrow down one side or the other. The 401 doesn't do that.