miriam

my vote, too
I love the simplicity of that machine - the 401 just doesn't do significantly more
oh and it is a tad lighter weight...
maybe a monogrammer
I do love the 201, too

I'm just waiting for someone to say the F word... I mean the holy grail
you know what I mean........

Pudge

What can a 401a do that a 15-91 can't? Is a 401a a zigzagger?

Pudge

Forget it. I just answered my question. I surfed around and now I know what a 401a can do. Now I want one.......

Sewnoma

I've never sewn on a 401/403, but I LOVE my Rocketeer (500A). I confess I bought it purely based on the looks, but it's a great machine as well. It's the only machine in my herd that naturally has a perfect scant 1/4" seam allowance with my 1/4" foot - all the rest of them (new and vintage) need tweaking to get that. It runs smooth and the stitches are nice. I haven't used a lot of the decorative stuff but I DID use the blind hem stitch for the first time in my entire life on that machine and it went better than I anticipated.

I've become very fond of the slant needle, it's SO easy to see what's going on right at the needle. Plus it's easy to supply - takes standard size needle, class 66 bobbins, and the cams are everywhere.

I like a lot of my machines and deliberately make an effort to rotate through using all of them, but the Rocketeer gets the most use out of the vintage machines I have and I'm always happy to be sewing on it. (Even over my F-word machine, lol Miriam...)

lindaschipper

301A for me......love mine and will never get rid of it as long as I live!!

Blackberry

401a is my choice. However, I am very partial to my 201, featherweight and 15-91 but they are before your time frame.

SteveH

My vote is for the 241-12.....

Vridar

I'm surprised the 401 is majority's choice so far. Gotta' acquaint myself with it. It's too Jettsonian looking for me.

miriam

I'm not surprised it is the majority's choice. Those were very high end machines in their day. That 403 you have is better IMHO.

KalamaQuilts

404 followed by the 301