The hook area of my 301 is stuck
 

I don't know how it happened, but somehow, the bobbin holder (not the bobbin case) got stuck. I'm not sure how to get it unstuck. It's stuck so that it blocks the needle from clearing.

My first idea was to get a small hammer and another tool and "kind of force it". Then I chickened out.

Any ideas?

bkay

Thread Jam Removal tool
 

The Featherweight Shop sells a tool for removing the bobbin holder. Common size for 221,222 & 301.
I was thinking of buying one, a bit pricey at over $40. There maybe other vendors for this tool as well. From what I read, thread gets behind the bobbin holder and jams it. This tool takes the holder off.
Maybe someone else already has one, and you can borrow it?

They also did a video of removal before the tool was available. It can be found at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x3-qEvw_V0w
Andy Tube did some videos about the 301 hook the first on that I saw was https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OhBOhfKusHw I think there are a couple more.

I feel badly that you are having trouble with a 301.

I bought one of those. I haven't had to use it yet, but after getting a thread stuck behind the casing in my FW and having to take it in to be removed because I couldn't get the bobbin holder out, I decided the tool would be worth it. I have 4 machines with the same set up.

Thanks everyone.

I'll start on this chore as soon as I find my Chapman screwdriver and report back.

bkay

Well, I was able to do the "thread removal", but it did not fix the problem. There was a tiny little bit of thread (maybe 1/4 in.) there.

I don't think I realized how dirty the machine is. I started using it when my 401 was in the shop for months without doing anything to it.

For anyone who uses these instructions, the screwdriver for the tiny screw in the "jib" takes a 1/8th inch screwdriver, which I did not have. Now I do!

I'm not sure what I need to fix the problem, but it is not that. It's still not handling the bobbin thread correctly.

I guess it's time to do a full rehab on this one.

Thanks for your support.

bkay