Frozen Singer 404
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: The Beautiful Willamette Valley In Oregon
Posts: 689
Frozen Singer 404
I purchased a Singer 404 straight stitch at a thrift store; it was frozen at the time, but I have read that this can be resolved; apparently the donor had not used it for years. I purchased some Tri Flow and put it in the various oil holes. The wheel will now turn a little but the needle remains stationary. I called my local dealer where I purchased my Pfaff QE 4.0 and my Babylock Ellegante and they want around $189 for an "overhaul". I am not mechanically-blessed, so I'm wondering if anyone knows of a person in the Salem, OR area who might tinker with these beautiful vintage machines; it seems the dealers in modern machines want the same price for oiling, etc., vintage machines as they do for the fixing the complexities of the computerized machines - no exceptions. The outside of this machine has not a scratch on it, and everything is there - the cord and original foot feed, except the bobbin itself. Would appreciate your advice on what to do. I looked at Craig's List for a repair service and all I got were the listings for the major dealers around here. Thanks!
#2
Shirley, yesterday I read a thread on a 401 that was locked up. Fabulous info on getting it going. I don't imagine that the 404 is all the different. Make some tea and take a looksee at http://www.quiltingboard.com/vintage...e-t216956.html
#3
Super Member
Join Date: Sep 2015
Posts: 1,963
It's a solidly built machine and worth a bit of effort. Have you had the needle and bobbin plate off, and investigated around the feed dogs and under the bobbin case? Check (double and tripple) for threads, bits of a broken needle, etc. I think you need to unscrew a few screws to get the top off the machine. Keep on oiling, when something is stuck, it often takes a bit of patience and persistance to get it loose again. Tentative applications of oil a few times a day, wiggeling the hand wheel a bit, often get's it going. I can only give you the basic routine unfortnately, maybe you all onto it, but as said, often it's a case of keeping it up for a few days until it frees up.
Last edited by Mickey2; 08-12-2016 at 11:10 AM.
#4
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Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Mableton, GA
Posts: 11,314
Shirley, yesterday I read a thread on a 401 that was locked up. Fabulous info on getting it going. I don't imagine that the 404 is all the different. Make some tea and take a looksee at http://www.quiltingboard.com/vintage...e-t216956.html
#5
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Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: The Beautiful Willamette Valley In Oregon
Posts: 689
Thank you all so much! I'll try the multiple oilings and cleaning out underneath the bobbin first to see if that works; and from that point forward, if it's still stuck, will take the steps outlined in Stitchnripper's thread. Wow, what detailed info! You guys are the best! I'll let you know what happens.
#7
Member
Join Date: Apr 2011
Posts: 44
I have worked on many vintage machines and got them going, but am not close to you. Do not use Tri Flo, it is basically 3 in one oil, and that is the problem with a lot of these old machined. It turns to shellac over the years. Always use a good sewing machine oil (Singer). Keep oiling and keep trying to move, some times it takes a few days. But get rid of the Tri Flo. Back in the day they used the 3 in one, as it was handy, and they grabbed it from their husbands instead of getting sewing machine oil!
#8
I would be very careful taking my vintage machine in for repair. I had a great FW and took it to a Singer dealer who said they specialized in FW repair. He took my bobbin apart and said there was something wrong with it and said his distributor could only sell me a new one for $89. I took it to a guy who used to be on this board and he repaired it for $15. The Singer guy returned my bobbin in pieces, didn't even put it together, what a joke !
#9
Super Member
Join Date: Oct 2012
Posts: 1,131
I have worked on many vintage machines and got them going, but am not close to you. Do not use Tri Flo, it is basically 3 in one oil, and that is the problem with a lot of these old machined. It turns to shellac over the years. Always use a good sewing machine oil (Singer). Keep oiling and keep trying to move, some times it takes a few days. But get rid of the Tri Flo. Back in the day they used the 3 in one, as it was handy, and they grabbed it from their husbands instead of getting sewing machine oil!
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